Transfer news : AC Milan outline intent to sign Diego Costa

Diego Costa’s future is certainly away from Stamford Bridge but Chelsea are struggling to agree a deal which will see him leave the club.

Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban has put an end to a potential return to the La Liga club for the time being, but Serie A giants AC Milan are eager to continue their summer spending with a move for Costa.
After confirming that the club are looking into re-signing Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Milan’s sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli has confirmed that they are looking at Costa, along with Fiorentina’s Nicola Kalinic.

“A new striker? We’re working on it and we can’t mess it up: Kalinic and Diego Costa are also on our list.”

Not seen as part of the picture at Chelsea, Costa is almost certain to leave the club this summer but a deal is yet to be reached with any club.
Chelsea have spent big on bringing in Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid, while Michy Batshuayi has impressed in pre-season, making Costa surplus to requirements.
- Read Sport

Fraudsters vs looters !!! 30 CEOs honour senate invitation — after arrest warrant

The chief executive officers (CEOs) of 30 firms whose arrest warrants were issued over non-appearance before the senate joint committee on customs, excise and tariff, and marine transport, have finally appeared before the committee.

Hope Uzodinma, chairman of the committee made this known on Wednesday after a meeting with some of the companies in Abuja.
He said all the CEOs honoured the committee’s invitation after the arrest warrant was issued.
The companies are alleged to have been involved in the N30 trillion-revenue believed to have been lost by the country in its maritime sector.
The committee handling the investigation had invited 63 firms accused of complicity but only 33 honoured the invitation.
On Friday, the committee directed the police to arrest the CEOs.

The companies involved include Crown Flour Mills, Glo Mobile, British American Tobacco, CCECC, Dana Group, Olam Int. Ltd., Hong Xing Steel Co. Ltd., Visafone, African Wire, Star Comments and Allied Ltd. and Aarti Steel Nig. Ltd.

Also involved are Standard Metallurgical Co. Ltd., Kam Industries, IBG Investment Ltd., Orazulike Trading Co. Ltd., Popular Foods Ltd., A-Kelnal Integrated & Logistics Services, African Industries, African Tiles & Ceramics and ZTE Nigeria.

Others are Abyem-Diva Int. Ltd., Gagasel Int., Friesland Capina, Etco Nig., Edic Chemicals and Allied Distributors, De United Foods, Don Climax Group, Skill G Nig. Ltd., Premium Seafood and La Rauf Nig. Ltd.
 - Cable Nigeria

The commanders of looters !!! SERAP: N11trn electricity fund was ‘squandered’ under Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) says N11 trillion electricity fund was squandered by the administrations of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

The former presidents were in charge of the country between 1999 and 2015.
In a report titled ‘From darkness to darkness: How Nigerians are paying the price for corruption in the electricity sector’ which was launched in Lagos on Wednesday, the organisation called fo a probe into the alleged squandering.
It said the N11 trillion “financial loss” comprises public funds, private equity and social investment (or divestments) in the power sector.

The 65-page report also noted that the “loss” may reach over N20 trillion in the next decade “given the rate of government funding and investment in the power sector.”
The report said the country’s power sector reforms under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 have not yielded the desired results due to “corruption and impunity of perpetrators, regulatory lapses and policy inconsistencies.”
It accused the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of settling officials with “millions of naira as severance packages” while “embarrassing” them with alleged three billion naira fraud.

“The Obasanjo’s administration spent $10 billion on NIPP with no results in terms of increase in power generation. $13.278,937,409.94 was expended on the power sector in eight years while unfunded commitments amounted to $12 billion,” the report read.
“The federal government then budgeted a whopping N16 billion for the various reforms under Liyel Imoke (2003 to 2007) which went down the drains as it failed to generate the needed amount of electricity or meet the set goals. Imoke was alleged to have personally collected the sum of $7.8 million for the execution of the contract for the construction of the Jos-Yola transmission Line, which was never executed.

“Professor Chinedu Nebo handed over the assets of the PHCN to private investors on November 1, 2013. Prof. Nebo is alleged to have corruptly funded the privatised power sector with over N200 billion despite privatisation.”
SERAP also called for a “thorough” investigation into the alleged government funding of the country’s privatised power sector, recommending that corrupt funds should be fully recovered and culprits, prosecuted.
It noted that N1.5 billion used for acquiring vehicles was allegedly sourced from the “diverted N27 billion” insurance premium of deceased workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

“The national assembly should desist from manipulating the award of electricity contracts or cite projects in their constituencies under the guise of ‘constituency project’,” the report also stated.
“The government of Nigeria handed over the transmission company to a Canadian company Manitoba, to manage and under a management service contract of over $200 million. Findings also show that the Transmission Company of Nigeria could not execute most of its approved 44 projects after having 50 percent of its N30 billion 2016 budget released to it.

“Funds were released from Eurobond. $23.6 million allegedly paid to Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) of Canada to manage the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) would appear to be without due process.
“The Manitoba deal is shrouded in secrecy as essential details of the deal remain unknown to Nigerians till date. The authorities should undertake a public-oriented audit on the state of affairs of the TCN two years before and after the Manitoba deal.”

SERAP called on Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, to request the report of the house of representative committee that probed government spending in the power sector from 2000 to 2007, as well as the Elumelu house probe committee that accused some individuals and companies of subversion of government policy on due process. - Cable Nigeria 

PL news : I'm glad Neymar did not come to England, says Premier League chief

Paris Saint-Germain's world-record move to sign Neymar has come as a relief to Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore, who is glad it was not an English club who splashed out the €222million fee.

The Ligue 1 club met Neymar's release clause at Barcelona last week, smashing the global transfer record previously held by Manchester United from when they splashed out €105m for Paul Pogba in 2016.
Scudamore insists seeing his league lose that milestone is of no concern to him, with the restraint shown by the biggest sides something he views as a positive.

And he does not think the record amount spent on Neymar will be challenged any time soon.
"There is a point where you say actually 'no'," Scudamore said to Sky Sports.
"I am glad that is not us who has got that particular record.
"That is an unusual set of events I think. The Qataris - who own PSG - have suddenly decided they want to make a statement.

"And the rather perverse thing with having these buyout clauses is they are meant to prevent players moving.
"This one was tested and it does not worry me at all and I am kind of sitting here glad it was not a Premier League club who spent that much money on a player."

He added to BBC Radio 5 live: "I can't see anything like that [in the Premier League]. When the previous record was £89m [Pogba], to suddenly go to £200m that is something else going on there.
"They [PSG and their owners] have made a huge statement but I don't think we are going to see that replicated."

Premier League sides have still splashed out huge fees in this transfer window, with Romelu Lukaku's move from Everton to United, reportedly worth an initial £75m, the biggest so far.
But Scudamore feels their spending has been at a rational level, particularly given the high value of the English top-flight's television rights.
He continued: "The reality is there are pressures everywhere, fans want their clubs to go sign players, always have done.

"The economics of the game are straightforward. Clubs have assets, particularly broadcasting rights, we have global interest in that.

"We have rules in place that ensure the clubs are sustainable, clearly you cannot pay the absolute top dollar for every player."
"That generates income, that income is then invested and clubs have always pretty much spent what they can on acquiring talent and then on other infrastructure, like stadia and community schemes.- Goal

Transfer news : Mahrez won't leave Leicester unless reasonable offer is made – Shakespeare

Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare insists they will not sell Riyad Mahrez until a "reasonable" offer is made.

The Algeria international is wanted by Roma but the Serie A side are reported to have seen a second bid in the region of €35million rejected.
Roma sporting director Monchi suggested this week that they would move on to other targets if Leicester continue to rebuff their attempts to sign the winger.
Shakespeare says he wants to keep his best players wherever possible and has made it clear that they will not allow Mahrez to leave unless their demands are met.

"The transfer window can get silly if you let it," he told a news conference ahead of Leicester's Premier League opener against Arsenal on Friday. "We don't want to be a selling club. We want to be a buying club, bringing in players.
"That means I don't want to lose our best players. When you have good players, you have to accept interest in your players.
"He [Mahrez] has been focused, he's not giving me any problems. Until we get a bid that is reasonable for us, then he stays here.
"If he stays focused, he’ll be considered for selection."

Leicester are facing something of an injury crisis ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium, with Shakespeare confirming that midfield duo Danny Drinkwater and Vicente Iborra are unavailable.
However, Kelechi Iheanacho could make his competitive debut after returning to full training.
"Danny Drinkwater has a thigh injury, which should hopefully only be another week," Shakespeare said. "Vicente Iborra picked up a groin strain the other day in training, so he will miss Friday's game.

"But on a positive note, Kelechi trained fully after his little knock against Borussia Monchengladbach. And Robert Huth is back in full training, which is a real plus for us because we thought Robert would be out more time, but he's joined in and he will get some game-time with the Under-23s on Monday, which is well ahead of schedule. He's raring to go.
"Papy Mendy is back training. We get one or two back, we lose one or two – that's the way the world is at the moment in terms of the injuries." - Goal

Shocking !!! Photo of baby smoking sparks outrage

An image appearing to show a little girl holding a cigarette in her mouth with a man’s hand reportedly to be that of her father’s has sparked outrage on social media with people calling for child services to intervene.

According to metro report, the child is said to be from a family of Roma nationality who live in Lom, a town located in north-western Bulgaria

Another picture showed a young boy standing ‘proudly’ in a leather jacket while holding a cigarette in his mouth With a caption that read, ‘feels loved.’
The picture has sparked dozens of comments from people claiming they would report the man to social services over his posts.

One concerned observer wrote, ‘Please help me! Where do I report this? This is not normal!.’
Another added, ‘OMG! Poor children!’ while someone else wrote ”They should not be parents.’’

Other images showing the boy posing with a cigarette held in his mouth and sitting

on the knee of a woman who is also smoking and another that shows the same young boy kissing another woman on the lips have since been removed from the man’s social media account.





- Daily Post

Na wa !!! Jealous man ‘beats’ lover to death

The police in Lagos have arrested a 38-year-old man, Victor Umeh for allegedly beating his lover to death.

Umeh was said to have committed the offence at his Ago Palace Way, Okota, residence last Friday, after he saw his lover, Rachael Osu talking with another man.
It was gathered that the couple had gone out that night when Osu ran into an old friend of hers and they started discussing.

According to sources, Umeh angrily left the place they went to and returned home to wait for Osu, whom he descended on when she arrived.

Neighbours alleged that Umeh was in the habit of beating the deceased and locking her inside their apartment, adding that the woman had been advised to leave him.
It was gathered that he made efforts to abscond after he realised Osu was dead but his neighbours discovered.
“The lifeless body of the deceased was found hours later by neighbours. The suspect had apparently locked her up and went out after beating her.

A source said: “At first she was crying for help and nobody came to her rescue because it was a daily occurrence. Some ladies in our compound had advised the deceased to pack out. I don’t know what she sees in him that she allowed herself to be beaten up like that always. It is not that he was giving her money.”
The suspect is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba for murder and might be arraigned on Friday.

According to the source, the deceased’s elder brother, Chukwuyenum Osu, reported the case at the station, adding that Umeh threatened to deal with him.

He said: “But the beating persisted. She was beaten to death by her boyfriend. The landlord forced the door open and found the deceased lying lifeless.”
The command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) said the deceased was persistently beaten by the suspect, adding that neighbours said they heard Osu shouting “he wants to kill me.”
 - The Nation

Health : Lassa fever hits Lagos, kills two, 100 placed under surveillance

Lassa fever has killed two patients at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in the Idi-Araba area of the state.

Chris  Bode, chief medical director of the hospital, confirmed this on Tuesday, saying 100 workers were being monitored.
The hospital said the patients died after spending a few days in admission.

WHAT IS LASSA FEVER?

• Lassa fever, also known as Lassa hemorrhagic fever (LHF), is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. Many of those infected by the virus do not develop symptoms. When symptoms occur they typically include fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, and muscle pains.

Lassa fever is a significant cause of severe illness and death.
“Each of these two patients presented very late and died in spite of efforts to salvage them,” LUTH said in a statement.
“The first was a 32-year old pregnant lady with bleeding disorder who died after a stillbirth. A post-mortem examination had been conducted before her Lassa Fever status was eventually suspected and confirmed.

“No less than 100 different hospital workers exposed to this index case are currently being monitored.”
A resident doctor from the department of anatomic and molecular pathology, who took part in the autopsy, is said to have contracted the disease and is currently on admission at the isolation ward of LUTH. - Cable Nigeria

Really !!! WAEC retracts certificates issued 28 years ago

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has cancelled 151 certificates that had already been issued to both private and public examination candidates.

WAEC made the announcement during the 62nd meeting of its National Examinations Committee (NEC) held in Lagos on Tuesday.
The affected candidates were said to have engaged in examination malpractice.
The body equally retracted 29 other certificates belonging to both public and private candidates who, in search of restitution, returned their illegally obtained merits.

The cancelled certificates include two issued in 1989 and 1990 respectively, 13 each in 1990 and 2000, 12 certificates in 2003, 10 in 2006, eight in 1988, seven each in 2004, 2007 and 2010, five each in 1993, 1995, 2009, 2012 and 2013. Others are four in 1994 and 2008, three each in 1996 and 2011, two each in 1997 and 2005 as well as one each in 1989, 1990 and 1992. - Cable Nigeria

Shocking !!! Boy, 3, dies after 11 hours in hot nursery van

A three-year-old Florida boy has died after being left for more than 11 hours in a nursery vehicle on a hot summer's day.

Myles Hill, who attended Little Miracles Academy in Orlando, was discovered inside the van on Monday night.
He had been picked up that morning along with other children by a member of staff and was supposed to have been dropped off at one of the Academy's two centres in the area.

The nursery worker returned to the other centre and did not realise the toddler was still in the vehicle, police said.

"We believe Myles was in the hot van all day long, since 9am," said Orlando Police Chief John Mina on Tuesday.
Myles was eventually found at 8.30pm after his grandmother called police and the Academy demanding to know where the youngster was because he had not been dropped off at her home.
Temperatures in Orlando reached 34C (93F) on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

The staff member could face criminal charges if a post-mortem reveals he died from being left inside the hot vehicle.
Mike Carroll, secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, said it was investigating the death.
Agency records show that during an inspection last month the Academy was found to have failed to have kept a log of pick-up and drop-off times, as well as details of where youngsters were being transported to.

Both centres have reportedly been closed for the time being.
Myles' heartbroken great aunt told the Orlando Sentinel: "If you leave your child with someone, that person has the responsibility of taking care of them.
"If you have six kids get in the van, you make sure six kids get out of the van."
She said she was on the phone to Myles' grandmother when she found out what had happened to him: "She started to scream, 'he's in the van, dead!'' SKY

Lol !!! Everyone is laughing at this picture of Marouane Fellaini - even Fellaini himself

The Premier League season doesn't start for another three days, but we already have a strong contender for football picture of the season.

Boris Grdanoski of AP captured Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini in full gurn during the Super Cup final defeat to Real Madrid, producing a facial expression normally the trademark of team-mate Phil Jones.

While Manchester United fans will be slightly disappointed with the result, the picture of Fellaini has brought plenty of light relief.

Even the midfielder himself thanked fans for sending the image his way. - The Telegraph

Travel : 'Armed police' called after angry passengers 'go crazy' over delayed BA flight from Heathrow

Armed police were reportedly called as passengers reacted with fury when a British Airways flight from Heathrow was delayed for two days.

The flight to Las Vegas was supposed to set off at 4.40pm on Sunday, but following two aborted take-offs didn’t leave until Tuesday afternoon.
It was abandoned on Sunday due to a technical issue fault and on Monday due to a mix-up over baggage.
When the second flight was aborted seconds before take-off passengers, who had already been put up in hotels overnight, reportedly “went crazy”.

Police were called to meet the plane after concerned cabin crew alerted the cockpit.
A spokeswoman for BA confirmed police were called and said: “We fully appreciate how frustrating this experience has been, and have apologised to our customers for the long delay to their flight.
“We provided refreshments, hotel accommodation and help with expenses during the delay, and the flight departed yesterday.”
- Evening Standard

OMG !!! Female teacher had sex with schoolgirl in car 'then bragged to friends about it'

A drama teacher has been banned from the classroom after having sex with a pupil in her car and taking her to see a West End musical.

Sarah Barton admitted being in a "sexually-motivated relationship" with the unnamed girl pupil at the school in Essex, and "consistently and persistently failed to maintain appropriate boundaries", a National College for Teaching and Leadership panel said.
Ms Barton, who worked at the school from September 2007 to July 2016 and was head of department for drama and dance when she resigned, took the student to see Matilda in London during a half-term holiday, despite being advised not to go.

The NCTL panel heard Ms Barton taught the pupil - who is referred to in a report as Pupil A - during the 2015-16 academic year and "a friendship developed between the two of them that culminated in a sexual relationship".
The 36-year-old showed a photograph to an unnamed witness of her kissing the pupil, while another witness said Ms Barton admitted having sex with the pupil in her car.

Ms Barton said in her statement to the panel that the West End trip was arranged by Pupil A, but the report said: "Regardless of who actually organised this trip, it took place in June 2016 when your relationship with Pupil A had been developing for some time.
"This was clearly inappropriate."
The panel accepted her actions were "out of character" and arose from "extreme personal circumstances" - and noted she was considered to be an "exceptionally well-respected member of staff".

"This was a sexually-motivated relationship that continued despite warnings from her colleagues.
"It was not a one-off spontaneous event."
She was handed a prohibition order following the hearing in Coventry and will only be allowed to have the ban removed by 2022 at the earliest.
Alan Meyrick of the Department of Education, said: "There were numerous opportunities for the relationship to be terminated by her. - Press Association

Crime : Westminster 'Spice' drug dealers have been jailed

Seven men and a woman concerned in the supply of the synthetic cannabinoid ‘spice’ have in the past three weeks been sentenced to over seven and a half years’ imprisonment and received a total of 35 years’ Community Behaviour Orders.

Augusto Limba, 26 (08.10.1990) of no fixed address was sentenced yesterday, Tuesday, 8 August at Southwark Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug. He was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, a 12 month supervision order and a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
Acting on intelligence, officers from Westminster launched Operation Spatha on Tuesday, 7 March to tackle the supply of the Class B drug. This has been running alongside Westminster's ongoing Operation Kaskara - a multi-agency operation aimed at tackling spice on the streets of Westminster.

Chief Superintendent Peter Ayling, Westminster’s Borough Commander, said: “In January, after three deaths, including one murder, directly related to the psychoactive substance commonly known as ‘Spice’, Westminster’s Crime Squad began a detailed Operation in conjunction with specialist officers and the Local Neighbourhood Team. Spice wreaks havoc on users and causes great concern within the community. The substance has become prevalent within the homeless community where dealers prey on some of the most vulnerable within our society. Officers felt passionately about tackling the dealing of spice.

“The Operation was hugely successful, the conviction of nine dealers and the sentences handed down reflects the seriousness of the offence and the commitment of officers in Westminster to protect the community. Spice is a vile substance that robs the user of all awareness and dignity and is highly addictive. The tactic utilised was the first of its kind be used nationally and we remain committed to protecting the vulnerable from this drug and those that would place the users and wider community in harm’s way.”

Harry Read, 20 (22.08.1996) of no fixed address was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 4 August for one count of supplying spice, he received a nine month suspended sentence, 250 hrs community service order and received a two-year CBO ordering him not to enter a designated area of Westminster.
During the arrest phase of the operation on Tuesday, 27 June, officers targeted drug dealers who mainly operate in the Charing Cross area, supplying spice predominately to people that are homeless. Officers also executed search warrants at addresses in Lambeth, Ilford, Westminster and Dagenham.

The following defendants were sentenced on 26 July at Southwark Crown Court, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drug at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 28 June.
They were sentenced as follows:
Anthony White, 37 (18.12.1979) of Plane Tree Walk, Gypsy Hill was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to seven counts of conspiracy to supplying spice. A five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) was granted ordering White not to enter a designated area of Westminster.

Ramzi Barkat, 45 (18.06.1972), of Third Avenue, Romford was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to six counts of conspiracy to supply spice. A five-year CBO was granted ordering Barkat not to enter a designated area of Westminster.
Miguel Chaves, 40 (18.12.1976) of St Albans Road, Ilford was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to four counts of conspiracy to supply spice. A five-year CBO was granted ordering Chaves not to enter a designated area of Westminster.

Patrick Etiele, 32 (01.01.1985) of no fixed address was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to four counts of conspiracy to supply spice. A five-year CBO was granted ordering Etiele not to enter a designated area of Westminster.
Mark Akhimie, 48 (21.01.1969) of no fixed address was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply spice. A five-year CBO was granted ordering Akimie not to enter a designated area of Westminter.

Keziah Watson, 19 (20.08.1997) of no fixed address was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months after pleading guilty to nine counts of conspiracy to supply spice. She was also ordered to 30 hours at an attendance centre. A three-year CBO was granted ordering Watson not to enter a designated area of Westminster.
If any of the above are witnessed breaching any condition, the public are asked to contact police in Westminster on 101.

Two further defendants have previously pleaded guilty to supplying Class B drugs – spice and are due to be sentenced later this month at Southwark Crown Court, they are:
Dimitri Ofosu, 29 (17.01.1988) of Mayall Road and Ashraf Benyunis, 24 (28.06.1993) of no fixed address. - Met Police

Commissioner : Why men must stop sucking their wives’ breasts

Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Steve Ayorinde, ​has advised fathers ​to allow their babies ​enjoy the period of breastfeeding.

​He said this in a message to ​a Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign organised by ​the Lagos ​c​hapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)​/

The commissioner, represented by Mrs Toro Oladapo, a former NAWOJ President and Director, Public Affairs, Lagos Ministry of Information, ​said fathers should stop competing for breasts with their babies.
He ​stated that ​rather, men should ​encourage the​ir wives to engage in exclusive breastfeeding which is vital during the first six months of life.

“Nothing is natural like breast milk,” he said, noting that human milk is better for babies than animal milk.
“Thank you so much for promoting the essence of womanhood​.​

“The media should help ensure mothers are breastfeeding to raise a healthy nation.
“You will all agree with me that children that are breastfed distinguish themselves academically,’’ he said.
He said that women, in the past, used breastfeeding for child-spacing and family planning, urging NAWOJ to spread the awareness. Daily Post

Madrid haven't contemplated selling Man United target Bale - Perez

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has no intention of selling Gareth Bale as the UEFA Super Cup victors look to retain their LaLiga and Champions League-winning side.

Former Tottenham star Bale has been linked with a return to the Premier League via Premier League giants Manchester United amid Madrid's pursuit of Monaco's teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe.
United manager Jose Mourinho has spoken openly about Bale and stated that the club's prospects of signing the Wales international would be greater if he were left out of Zinedine Zidane's starting XI on Tuesday.

However, Bale started in Madrid's 2-1 win over United in Skopje and Perez dismissed rumours the 28-year-old could leave the Spanish capital.
"Every win is important to us, but we're going step by step," Perez said to reporters after Casemiro and Isco guided Madrid to their third Super Cup since 2014.
"I don't contemplate selling Bale, he's important for us and is one of the best in the world.
"We have great players and my idea and Zidane's after winning the Champions League was to do nothing and stay with the same team." - Goal

OMG !!! 9-month-old baby falls into fire as couple fight over infidelity

A 42-year-old driver, Igwe Dike was on Tuesday brought before a an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly beating his wife, Nkiru Egbo, with a plank which left her and their son seriously injured.

Dike was arraigned on two counts of assault and causing grievous bodily harm.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Simon Imhowa, had told the court that the incident happened on July 30, 2017, at the couple’s residence on Ferry Street, Mile 2, Lagos.
He said the offence contravened and punishable under sections 170 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
He explained further that Dike assaulted his 35-year-old wife by beating her with the plank.

The Prosecutor said he chased her with a cutlass and in the process, their nine-month-old son, whom she was backing, fell into a fire, which burnt his face and right arm.
Narrating what happened to the court, Dike said he got married to Egbo in 2006 and the marriage was blessed with three children, and that they lived happily until he lost his job in 2016.

He said, “On the day of the incident, at about 12 .30 am, I came back to meet another man making love to my wife inside a vehicle.
“I immediately picked up a stick, opened the door of the vehicle and hit the man on the head with it.

“My wife took the stick from me and while we were dragging it, the man escaped.
“I later overpowered her and beat her mercilessly with the stick.
“She immediately ran towards where our baby was laid and picked him up. When she tried to run away with the baby, she fell and the baby fell into the fire.”
Dike added that his wife reported to the police which led to his arrest.
The magistrate, B.O. Osusanmi, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with one responsible surety in like sum, adding that evidence of tax payment and address of the surety must be verified.

The case was adjourned till August 29 for trial. - Daily Post

Drug Trafficking :Nigerian man arrested in Thailand for alleged possession of drugs ( Photos )

Thailand police has arrested a Nigerian man after he was found in possession of 11.85 grams of cocaine in Patong.

The suspect identified as a 30-year-old Chidi Thedus Matthew, was arrested on Saturday morning (August 5th) on Soi Nanai 9.

He was taken to Patong Police Station and charged with possession of Category 2 drug with the intent to sell.

Together with his arrest, a mobile phone and a Honda City ZX was seized by the police.


 




- Daily Post

Nigeria Customs seizes smuggled N1.3b exotic cars

THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has impounded 37 brand new exotic vehicles estimated at N1.3 billion after bursting a smuggling ring.

Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) spoke on the seizures yesterday while addressing reporters at the Customs Training School in Lagos.
He said the seizures were made by officers and men of the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja and the CGC Compliance Team in Lagos.

The vehicles, according to Ali, include eight Lexus sports utility vehicles (SUVs) – LX570, 2017 model; 12 Land Cruiser SUVs – GXR, 2017 model and 17 Toyota Hilux of 2016, 2013, 2012, 2012, 2011 and 209 models.
Ali added that his men also seized 12,081 bags of smuggled parboiled rice with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N149million.
It was gathered that some of the smugglers used the number plates on some of the new vehicles as a decoy to beat Customs’ checks. But unknown to them, Customs officials had been monitoring their movement for days before swooping on them.
Sources closed to the service said when some of the smugglers saw the Customs team on the unapproved routes, they abandoned the vehicles and jumped into the bush to evade arrest.

The FOU Comptroller, it was gathered, employed credible information and community relation, including collaboration other security agencies, in bursting the smugglers.
Ali said the service had not received any order from the Federal Government unbanning the importation of vehicles and rice through the land borders.

According to the Customs boss, his men also confiscated huge parcels and sacks of Indian hemp with duty paid value of N12.7 million.
The duty paid value of all seized items was over N1.6 billion
Seventeen suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.

Eleven of the suspects, it was learnt, were released on bail. Six are still in detention.
“The 37 vehicles have a duty paid value of N1,374,122,679.00. Similarly, the 12,081 bags of smuggled parboiled rice have a duty paid value of N149,007,658.
“Apart from the seizure of vehicles and rice, the reinvigorated anti-smuggling operations yielded another 156 assorted seizures including bales of used clothing, Indian hemp and used tyres that are inimical to the health of our people and our country.

“In the face of security and economic challenges, no responsible government will fold its hand while unpatriotic elements continue to engage in illegal activities that will further compress national economic and security well-being of her people.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government policies banning the importation of rice and vehicles through the land borders are still in force.  The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute to work towards crippling smugglers and getting them out of the illegitimate business.- The Nation

Jungle republic : Charly Boy collapses as police crack down on anti-Buhari protesters

Charly Boy, entertainer and activist, on Tuesday, collapsed at the Unity Fountain after inhaling teargas from canisters fired at protesters by anti-riot policemen.

The police also fired high velocity stream of water at the protesters who were demanding that President Muhammadu Buhari either resume office or resign.
Buhari has been in the UK where he is receiving medical attention since May 7 – more than 90 days.

On Monday, a coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of ‘Concerned Nigerians’ hit the streets to demand that the president either resume office or resign.
The group vowed to continue their protests at the Unity Fountain in Abuja until the president either returns or resigns.

The full demands of the group are; “that the president either personally or through his aides make the true detail of his health known to all Nigerians; that president should address all Nigerians in a language we can all understand on the true state of his health and other national issues; that he returns to the country and resume work as president of Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to lead us out economic and security quagmire we have been pushed into as a nation; if President Buhari fails, refuses and/ or neglect to do any of the above , then he should  resign from office; if he fails to honourably resign ,then he should be impeached from office by the national assembly”.

The protest was without incident on Monday.
But on Tuesday, the police cracked down on the protesters who were largely peaceful. - Cable Nigeria

Nigeria ''big man'' and fraud !!! EFCC recovers N328.9bn debts from nine petroleum marketers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has recovered over N328.9 billion out of N349.8 billion debts from nine major petroleum marketers within the last one year.

Adamu Hamisu-Danmusa, the EFCC head of operation, north-west zone, Kano, disclosed this while addressing reporters in Kano on Tuesday.
He said the debts, which included legacy/bad debts and current debts, were recovered following report from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to the commission.
“The IPMAN reported to the commission that there are some major marketers that connived with NNPC officials and received fuel allocation but refused to pay the money into the treasury single account (TSA),” he said.

“So after investigation, we were able to find out that there is N349.8 billion as legacy/bad debts and debts on current transactions.
“The commission was able to make recoveries of N328.8 billion from the nine major marketers from July 2016 to July 2017.”
He said the commission was still making effort to ensure that all the remaining debts were recovered from the marketers and remitted into the federal government’s Consolidated Account.

Hamisu-Danmusa said the commission had also recovered huge amount of money from the cases reported by individuals, corporate bodies and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
“The money include N364.4 million, 4.7 million dollars, 60,050 pounds, 59,200 euro and 70,500 Saudi Riyals.
“The money was recovered from January to date, “ Hamisu-Danmusa said.

He said the commission recovered N305,000 from a Chinese national arrested at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on July 25.
He added that the Chinese, Ma Youngin who could not speak English language, was apprehended by customs officials with the money while on his way to Dubai.
One other suspect was also arrested at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, with 849 different ATM (debit) cards.

He said investigation was still ongoing into the two cases. - The Cable Nigeria

We're ready for the fight - Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho insists Manchester United are fully prepared for the start of the new Premier League season, following their hard-fought UEFA Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid.

United missed out on their first chance of silverware this season after losing 2-1 to the European and Spanish champions in Macedonia on Tuesday night.
United's attention will now turn to their opening Premier League fixture against West Ham on Sunday - live on Sky Sports Premier League - and Mourinho believes he now has a squad capable of competing for the title after a disappointing debut league campaign at Old Trafford.

Asked if his squad was ready to face the Hammers, Mourinho said: "Yes, we deserve the rest tomorrow and on Thursday we will start, we go for it with everything.
"I'm so happy to be the manager of these guys, I told them a few days ago that during my long career I never had a group that I liked so much, like I like them.

"I'm really happy to be with them and I'm going to fight with them all the way, so let's go on Sunday. Old Trafford is waiting for us and I think Old Trafford has a reason to be behind us."
Mourinho has looked to reinforce his squad over the summer window - signing Victor Lindelof, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic for a combined fee of over £150m.
The Portuguese was particularly impressed with Matic's performance against Real Madrid in what was only his second appearance for the club since joining from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
"He also showed great spirit, great mentality," 

Mourinho said of Matic. "He was playing really, really well against a difficult team, because they move the ball a lot and they overload many times the central area and it's difficult to pick them up.
"But it was a very good performance from Nemanja. I think he played really well. In the moment when they were moving the ball more, he was good and in our period of dominance he was what we want him to be: moving the ball simply, giving balance and starting from the back.
"He has good experience at the highest level and stability."

Casemiro opened the scoring for Madrid in Skopje before Isco doubled the Spanish club's lead shortly after the half-time interval.
Lukaku managed to pull one back for United with a close-range finish and Mourinho was quick to praise the Belgium international striker at the end of the game.
"It's a difficult job to play against a team who dominate possession," Mourinho said. "He tried. Of course he missed an open goal but he scored his goal and had a good fight against two central defenders.

"I'm happy with how he fits within an amazing group."

Transfer news : No need to tell Real Madrid I'm staying despite Man Utd rumours - Bale

Gareth Bale says his sole focus is preparing for the new season at Real Madrid, with a mooted move to Manchester United publicly stalling.
Bale has reportedly been earmarked by Madrid as a saleable asset as they look to raise funds to a move on Monaco prodigy Kylian Mbappe, who could cost the European champions an estimated €180 million.

After the winger helped Madrid overcome United 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday, United boss Jose Mourinho said it was "game over" in their pursuit of the former Tottenham man. Florentino Perez has also insisted that last season's double winners want to hold onto the 28-year-old .
Having made just 27 appearances in yet another injury-punctuated season at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bale now hopes that he can work his way back into Zinedine Zidane's plans.

"For me, I just want to concentrate now on getting fit, getting ready for the new season and playing as well as I can, ultimately," he said.
Asked if he had told Real Madrid of a desire to stay, the Wales star laughed: "There's been no need for anything.
"Everything's gone on as normal, like it has every year. There's been the normal speculation like there is every year.
"Obviously it's a little bit more hyped up because we were playing Man United today. So it's one of those things.

"I'm focused on my football and getting into shape. I'm happy, I play football, I win trophies ... I just want to concentrate on being ready for the new season, and playing the best I can.
"The club have not told me anything about my future but we have talked and are happy with everything."

Bale does not feel threatened by the speculation, however, accepting it as part and parcel of playing for one of Europe's biggest clubs.
"I feel like I'm happy to fight for my place," he said. "We're all fighting for our places anyway - it's nothing new in football, it happens at every club and you carry on as usual."

Madrid are yet to sign a replacement for Alvaro Morata, after selling him to Chelsea, with Mbappe's name often placed alongside the likes of Eden Hazard and Ousmane Dembele as potential attacking purchases.  - Goal

Lol !!! Convict marks 50 days on the run by taunting police

A fugitive who escaped from an Indonesian jail has celebrated his 50 days on the run by taunting police on Facebook.

Shaun Davidson and three other inmates are believed to have used a fork and a bucket to burrow a tunnel underneath walls at Bali's Kerobokan jail, which they used to crawl to freedom on 19 June.
In a series of Facebook posts since his escape, Australian convict Davidson has ridiculed police efforts to capture him - mocking up wanted posters and sharing images of his location.
Celebrating his freedom on Monday, the 33-year-old posted: "50 days tomorrow can I get a round of applause".


Davidson, second from right

Days earlier Davidson posted a photo of seats on a plane, with the caption: "Another day another country and check out my leg room hahaha enjoy life".
Last week he taunted Interpol with a Facebook message to the agency's Manila branch.
It read: "How's it going, when you say close how close are you really?"
The fugitive, who claims he has travelled to Amsterdam, Dubai and Germany, has amassed an online following with more than 1,000 people joining a Facebook fan page.


Davidson describes himself as a 'hide and seek champion' in this mocked up wanted poster

The self-styled "real life action movie star" has been described by supporters as a "legend" and "an inspiration".
In one of his most-liked posts, he photoshopped his face onto a poster for TV show Prison Break.
At the time of his escape, Davidson had just 10 weeks left to serve of a year-long jail sentence for forging his identity.
However, he also has an arrest warrant outstanding in Australia after he allegedly skipped the country while awaiting a court appearance.

Two of his fellow escapees were captured at a luxury resort in East Timor two days after the breakout. The other man remains on the run.
The breakout has prompted an increase in searches of cells at Kerobokan prison. - SKY