PL : Chelsea hit Costa with fine

Diego Costa has been fined two weeks' wages by Chelsea for failing to return to pre-season training with the club last month.

The striker is currently in his hometown in Brazil and has suggested in an interview with the Daily Mail that he feels Chelsea are blocking his desired move back to former club Atletico Madrid.
It is understood the fine is in the region of £300,000.
In his Mail interview, Costa also criticised Antonio Conte for telling him via a text message earlier this summer that he was no longer wanted at the club.

Costa also threatened to see out the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge by staying in Brazil for the next 12 months and then leaving the club on a free transfer.
Atletico Madrid want to re-sign the Spain international after he scored 54 senior goals in over 100 appearances at the club, before selling him to Chelsea for £32m in 2014.

He said: "If I have to I will stay in Brazil. I am open to being a year in Brazil without playing, even if Chelsea fine me for a year and don't pay me. I'll come back stronger. If I was in the wrong, I'd go back now and do as they say."

Costa has not been to Chelsea's training ground at Cobham since they won the Premier League title in May and there have been reports the club have been concerned he has been putting on weight in order to lower their £50m valuation. - Sky Sport

Transfer updates : Mahrez agent urging new Roma bid

Riyad Mahrez's agent is trying to persuade Roma to increase their offer to Leicester to £40m with the inclusion of add-ons, according to Sky in Italy.

The Serie A club have bid £31.8m and have left "the ball in their court", with no plans to bid again for the want-away Foxes forward.
Roma have imposed a deadline of midnight on Tuesday, August 15 for Leicester to respond to their latest offer, and will then move on to alternative targets.
Mahrez told Sky Sports News in May that he wanted to leave the club this summer, but he played in Leicester's dramatic 4-3 defeat at Arsenal in their Premier League opener, live on Sky Sports.

Roma's other bids were £20m and £27m and their sporting director Monchi said at the weekend: "In the last press conference I said we had bid what we believe to be a fair offer, which is also the biggest in the club's history.
"We won't bid again. We've conducted ourselves in the right way by talking to Leicester City. Now the ball is in their court.
"We're waiting for an answer. We're working on other options but we're relaxed given our squad is 90 per cent complete."

Roma's previous transfer record is the £22.5m paid for Gabriel Batistuta from Fiorentina in 2000.
Mahrez has scored 35 goals in over 100 appearances for Leicester since a £560,000 move from French Ligue 2 side Le Havre in 2014.

Media : Channels TV to Train EFCC Staff in Effective Communication

The management of the soar-away television stations, Channels, has expressed readiness to train some staff of the Public Affairs Department, PAD, of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in effective communication.

This was disclosed on Friday, August 11, 2017 during a courtesy visit by the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, to the station's Chairman, John Momoh, in Lagos.

Speaking on the planned training, the Assistant General Manager, Operations, Kingsley Uranta, who received the delegation led by Magu,  said it was important that spokespersons in the Commission be trained in the art of effective  communication, particularly with the members of the community, who are their target audience.

Uranta, who added that one of the ingredients of effective communication was getting feedback from target audience, said: "I wish to convey the Chairman's appreciation of the existing relationship with the EFCC over the years.

"I also want to convey the management decision to deepen the skills of your staff in the area of communication with the community.

"Consequently, we will give a slot or two to your spokespersons to attend our high-end training."

Uranta further stated that working with the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies comes naturally to the station, adding that, "we are in the service of the community to promote good governance and openness."

Earlier, Magu thanked the management of the television station for what he described as "your untiring support in the fight against corruption."

"I have also come to congratulate you on the excellent work you are doing and for which you are known for", he added.

The EFCC boss used the occasion to stress the fact that corruption had been troubling the minds and souls of Nigerians.

He said: "That corruption is fighting back is not in doubt. But it has never been like this before."

He, however, expressed confidence that the war against corruption would be won.

According to him, "We are fighting to see that we dismantle all the pillars of corruption and I can tell you that the corrupt elements will run away."
 

Crime : EFCC Nabs Fake Online Shopping Operator

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office has arrested a suspected internet fraudster, Afolabi Ojo, who allegedly specialized in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through phony online shopping.

Ojo, a student of the Polytechnic of Iree (Iree-Poly), Osun State, was arrested following a petition alleging that sometimes in June, 2017, while window-shopping on Instagram, the petitioner came across some slippers and shoes on a page “Best Classic Store” purportedly owned by one Kemisola with WhatsApp number 08106802815 displayed on the page.

According to the petitioner, a sum of N53,000 (Fifty-Three Thousand Naira) was paid for some items purchased on the online store (Best Classic), into an account purportedly owned by one Oyebola Olasunkanmi with account number 0027735703 domiciled in one of the first generation banks.

Strangely thereafter, the suspect not only refused to deliver the goods, but went incommunicado. Hence, the suspect was reported to the EFCC.

On arrest, Ojo confessed to being the one posing as ‘Kemisola’ on the online platform to deceive people especially ladies into patronizing him.

He said: “I do not have any goods. I only pose as a lady using the name ‘Kemisola’ with the handle “Best Classic Store” on Instagram. Some of the items I used to display for sale include female shoes, slippers, hand bags and wallet. After I have lured my victim to pay, I will disable him from my chat so that he can no longer reach me”.

The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

Meanwhile, members of the public are advised to be cautious when buying goods online as not to fall victim of phony online stores with heinous motives. - EFCC

Anti-corruption war : Akeredolu’s call for Magu’s replacement quite unlike Senior Advocate Governor – CACOL

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL has disagreed with the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu who reportedly called for the replacement of Ibrahim Magu, the acting Chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, due to the fact that the Senate has not confirmed his nomination as substantive head of the anti-graft agency.

The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran said, “the suggestion by the governor is definitely not the way forward in the impasse that has been apparently sustained by the Senate’s over Magu’s confirmation as the substantive Chairman of the EFCC. It is curious hearing a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN comment on a matter that is already before the Supreme Court for adjudication in the manner he has done.”

The Ondo State Governor was reported to have called for Magu’s replacement over the weekend on a radio programme, tagged ‘Political Circuit’, on Fresh F.M. Ibadan. On the programme, Akeredolu said the country must not be allowed to grind to a halt over the non-clearance Magu because “we have more than 1,001 people who can be chairman of the EFCC”.
Adeniran in clear disagreement with the governor’s position said, “with all due respect to the SAN, we do not think that the consciously Senate-generated impasse over EFCC Chairmanship can grind the country to halt. That position is nothing basically but sheer exaggeration of the situation.”

“It is a reactionary suggestion and more of a subtle support for the side of the Senate in the debacle. Stating that “we have more than 1,001 people who can be chairman of the EFCC” is trying to find the easy way out and setting a very bad precedent that will have catastrophic consequences on our National life in future. And why does the governor prefer Magu to be replaced now that the matter is before the Supreme Court rather than wait for the judicial pronouncement?”

“The truth is that should Magu be denied the well-deserved confirmation, hardly would any credible person be ready to come forth for the position as similar fate like will witnessing would await such a person. The Senate has refused to confirm Magu because of his impressionable role as Acting Chairman of EFCC; his boldness in confronting economic and financial crimes regardless of whose ox is gored. Many members have one corruption case or the other to contend with, including the Senate President himself. They know that he will not give in to their antics of bribery and corruption. That is the crux of the matter.”

“The background to the debacle is that the Senate understands Magu’s salts deeply and the fact that he is worth it! The Senate as presently constituted from the leadership to the rank and file members, is peopled by deeply corrupt elements that deserve no space in such a quintessential Arm of government in a democracy that it is fledging. Let the truth be told!” Adeniran asserted. Daily Post

Shocking !!! Suicide: Kano man jumps into well

A 45 year old man identified as, Balarabe Haruna of Hausawa Sabon Titi quarters, Kano municipal has reportedly committed suicide by jumping into a well.

The man was said to have excused his 10 children and his wife from their house before he allegedly jumped into the well at the centre of his compound.

According to vanguard, the middle aged man was last week diagnosed and treated of malaria parasite, and was said to be recuperating fast before the tragic end.
A family source said that the late Haruna has no trace of mental illness, and that the entire family is still at a loss on what informed his decision.
Speaking on the incident, the eldest son to the deceased, Balarabe Mahmud, said the incident occurred at about 2.00pm Saturday when the entire family members were temporarily asked to vacate the compound by his late father to enable him have a rest.

Mahmud disclosed that, “we left our home in strict compliance with his directives to allow my ailing father have complete rest only to return home and discovered he was missing. ”

“We immediately raised a search team only for us to notice strange movement in the Well as we promptly invited men of the Fire service department to the rescue.”

‘’Consequently, the fire service operation that lasted few hours led to the recovery of his corpse from the Well amid tears.’’
Confirming the incident, Director Fire Service in Kano, Mohammad Rilwan, said they got to the scene at about 3pm after his men received emergency call few minutes earlier.
The Director Fire Service said the victim was, “rescued dead and delivered to the family after a formal request.” - Daily Post

Christianity : OAP Freeze challenges Pastor Adeboye over ban on ungodly wedding

Controversial online personality, Daddy Freeze, has challenged Pastor E.A Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to define exactly what a godly wedding mean.

This follows the ban on Aso Ebi and ungodly wedding engagement in Redeemed Christian Church of God by Pastor Foluke Adeboye.


He questioned why a wedding with alcohol should be termed ungodly when Jesus attended a wedding that had wine distributed.
The ‘sheeple’ leader said there is no spiritual backing on how a wedding engagement should be conducted.

“Dear Pastor Adeboye, kindly show me, with scriptural backing, what a ‘Godly’ wedding practice is.
“While we are at this, let’s keep it in perspective, that the only wedding Jesus attended in the Bible, had alcoholic wine, while the RCCG forbids alcoholic wine.

“If Jesus attended a Godly wedding that had alcohol, and RCCG considers alcohol ‘ungodly’, I wonder what the basis is, for differentiating between the Godly and the ungodly for the RCCG and upon this assertion, the leadership of the #FreeTheSheeple movement hereby challenges the leadership of the RCCG to a biblical debate titled ‘What is a Godly wedding’

“God bless us all!” he wrote on his Instagram page @daddyfreeze. - Daily Post

Hmmm !!! MEND threatens to burn assets of ‘corrupt’ leaders

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has threatened to burn down assets which corrupt politicians are hiding from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Jomo Gbomo, spokesman of the group, said this in a statement. He also dissociated MEND from the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF).
PANDEF is the forum leading negotiations with the federal government on some issues affecting the Niger Delta.
A few days ago, the forum threatened to pull out of a peace deal with the government if its demands, which include allocating oil blocks to natives of the region, were not met.
But it withdrew its threat after meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

However, MEND says it is withdrawing its support for the forum for allegedly betraying the cause of the region.
The group alleged that Edwin Clark, convener of PANDEF, and some elders of the Niger Delta were silent when former President Goodluck Jonathan refused to develop the region.
It said Jonathan wasted the region’s opportunity.
The militant group described Clark and elders of the region as President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe who still “crave for wealth and power to the detriment of the younger generation”.

“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has from Monday, August 14, 2017, withdrawn its support and representatives from the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF),” it said.
“Our decision to abandon PANDEF stems from the commercial and political motives of the leaders and most of the members who now see the platform as a means to bounce back financially and politically. It is also as a result of the lie told by Chief Clark to state house correspondents after the PANDEF volte-face meeting with the acting president on Thursday, August 3, 2017, where he said that MEND was part of the parley when the group wasn’t represented.

“MEND has also lost confidence in the effete leadership of Chief Edwin Clark and HRH, King Alfred Diete-Spiff who like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, still crave for power, wealth and pleasure to the detriment of developing the younger generation in leadership.
“It is annoying working with pretenders who conspired to keep silent when Goodluck Jonathan wasted the opportunity of the region and were part of the conspiracy to suppress the voice of Henry Okah and MEND.

“Today, the east-west road they have suddenly realised that is in need of urgent repairs is a shameful death-trap which passes alongside oil wells and sits on top of huge gas reserves. PANDEF is demanding for the road to be completed but during the six wasted years, these same members used the dilapidated road, lost loved ones there but said nothing, engaging instead on worthless pleasures, with the Abuja residence of Chief Clark as the rallying point.
“Chief Clark who had direct access to his ‘son’ Goodluck Jonathan did not advice the former president to address the root issues and develop the region. Many sons and daughters who enriched themselves, including the current PANDEF leaders have no single viable industry built in the Niger Delta to show for it. The assets they have acquired are now forfeited to the region or the EFCC. Those ill-gotten assets cleverly hidden from the EFCC that we discover will be attacked and burnt to the ground.

“The Niger Delta is today blessed with private, state, and federal university presence; including a maritime academy in Oron, Akwa Ibom state which was established in the early 80s. One begins to wonder if the desperation and insistence of another similar university as a top priority by PANDEF is not just a ploy to cover-up an established financial crime.” - Cable Nigeria

Enemy of progress !!! Sultan of corruption : Let’s focus on devolution of economy — NOT restructuring

Sa’ad Abubakar, sultan of Sokoto, on Monday called on Nigerians to focus on devolution of economy rather than restructuring the country.

Abubakar made the call at the Niger state investment summit in Minna.
The summit which attracted economic experts, industrialists and manufacturers as well as some state governors across the country, was organised to attract investors in various fields to boost the state’s economy.
He said the nation was blessed with human and mineral resources needed to achieve greatness.
Abubakar explained that Shiroro Dam in Niger, Goronyo Dam in Sokoto and several others across the country should be used to start all-year farming.

He said proper utilisation of the nation’s dams would enable farmers to produce assorted food crops for both local consumption and export.
“Rather than the clamour for restructuring the country, emphasis should be on federal government releasing dams across the country to state governments for massive participation of Nigerians in all-year farming seasons,” he said.
“We have the ability and technical knowledge to feed the continent with what we can produce, with the required political commitment, through the provision of modern farming implements for our teaming farmers.”

He also urged federal government to ensure early completion of Minna to Suleja road and Ilorin to Kaduna federal roads.
He said the poor condition of the roads is affecting smooth economic development of the state and the region.
The monarch called on the state government to ensure proper analysis and smooth implementation of programmes put forward by individuals and corporate organisations during the submit. - Cable Nigeria

A crisis of many years ! Terrible government !! Terrible leaders !!! ASUU Declares Indefinite Strike

Lecturers in Nigerian public universities have declared a total, indefinite strike from Sunday, August 13.

The lecturers, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) announced their decision on Monday morning.
At a press conference in Abuja, the ASUU President, Biodun Ogunyemi, explained reasons for the lecturer’s decision.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the union resolved on the strike after collating the views of members from the various chapters of ASUU.
Mr. Ogunyemi said the nationwide strike would be total and comprehensive.

“During the strike, there shall be no teaching, no examination and no attendance of statutory meetings of any kind in any of our branches,” he said. - Premium Times 

Transfer updates : Davinson Sanchez ready to reject Chelsea for Tottenham

Chelsea are said to be looking to improve their defence after shipping three goals to Burnley on the opening weekend of the Premier League season and are said to be interested in Davinson Sanchez.

The 21-year-old impressed last season for Ajax and has also been linked to Real Madrid in recent times, but it appears as if the talented centre-back is ready to reject both the reigning Premier League and La Liga champions.
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf are reporting that the player has decided he wants to sign for Tottenham this summer after a meeting with manager Mauricio Pochettino helped seal the deal.

Chelsea have concrete interest and Real Madrid are preparing an offer, but Spurs delegates have traveled to Amsterdam today to hold talks with Ajax regarding a €40m deal for their star defender, who is also wanted by Barcelona.

Transfer news : Tottenham step up interest in West Ham target Keita

West Ham are looking to sign Balde Keita from Lazio this summer, but now face some stiff competition from another Premier League side for his signature.

The Mirror understand that Tottenham want to kick-start their summer spending with a move for Keita who has earned rave reviews from his time in Serie A over the last couple of seasons.
Keita has just one year left to run on his contract with Lazio and is said to be keen to leave the club for a bigger venture elsewhere.

After scoring 18 goals last season, Keita himself is angling for a move to Juventus but with Lazio blocking that, Tottenham and West Ham are his only options on the table right now.

Lazio have fielded bids from both Inter Milan and Juventus that have fallen short of their asking price, but the Serie A club are equally determined not to sell to a direct league rival. - Read Sport

Super Cup : Ronaldo given five-match ban

Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a five-match ban following his red card in Real Madrid's Spanish Super Cup first leg 3-1 win over Barcelona.

The Portugal international was ordered off after picking up two yellow cards, one for taking his shirt off after putting Real 2-1 ahead with 10 minutes remaining, and a second for diving after referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea ruled that he had tried to win a penalty when challenged by Samuel Umtiti.
However, Ronaldo reacted angrily and appeared to push Bengoetxea after receiving his second yellow card just two minutes after scoring and picking up his first caution, and the Spanish football federation (RFEF) has now handed Ronaldo a five-match ban - one for the double booking and another four for pushing the official.

Pending an appeal, the 32-year-old's ban will start with the Super Cup second leg against Barcelona on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.
He will then miss La Liga fixtures away at Deportivo, at home to Valencia and Levante and then away at Real Sociedad.
Real boss Zinedine Zidane branded Ronaldo's second yellow card as "ludicrous".
He said: "I'm annoyed that Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off, it might not have been a penalty, but still, giving him a card is ludicrous.

"Let's see if we can make arrangements for him to be available on Wednesday. I am truly proud of my players, they played well as 10 and really wanted the win. Now we turn our attentions to the return leg and we need to relax."
A Gerard Pique own goal put Real ahead five minutes after the break, only for Lionel Messi to equalise from the penalty spot before Ronaldo struck just three minutes later. - SKY

Brothers place £880k bet on Mayweather to beat McGregor

Gavin and Joe Maloof are so confident Floyd Mayweather Jr. will beat Conor McGregor that they bet $880,000 on it.

And if the Maloof brothers are big winners along with Mayweather on Aug. 26, they are giving the proceeds of their whopping wager to charity.
The wealthy entrepreneurs and former Sacramento Kings owners revealed their extraordinary bet to The Associated Press on Sunday, two days after they placed the wager at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The bet is thought to be the biggest yet made on the fight, which is expected to be Vegas' biggest spectacle in recent years.

The Maloofs will make a $160,000 profit if Mayweather — a minus-550 favorite Friday — remains unbeaten against McGregor, the UFC champion making his pro boxing debut.
"I know a family that's going to be watching this fight very, very closely," Maloof said with a laugh.
Gavin Maloof told the AP that the family will donate the proceeds to multiple charities in Las Vegas and in Los Angeles, where sister Adrienne Maloof is active in charity work, in the name of Never Too Hungover, their widely distributed hangover prevention drink.

"We have a huge opportunity to help a lot of people in charities, so we decided to do it," Gavin Maloof said. "It's a neat way to enjoy the fight, and it's a fun way to promote our product."
Mayweather and Gavin Maloof are longtime neighbors, living down the street from each other in a tony Las Vegas suburb. Gavin went to a recent workout at Mayweather's gym and emerged with overwhelming confidence that age hasn't eroded the 40-year-old unbeaten champion's skills, even after a two-year layoff.

"So I called my brother, Joe, and said, 'We should put a wager on Floyd, because I don't think he's going to lose,'" Gavin said. "Not to take anything away from Conor. He's good. But I just like Floyd a lot."
The Maloofs spoke to the South Point sportsbook and settled on an $880,000 bet — a number that was initially too big to display properly on a betting ticket. The casino rewrote the bet into two $440,000 tickets that will pay out a total of $1.04 million if Mayweather wins.

The Maloofs are actually going against the betting trends on this potentially one-sided fight. Roughly 95 percent of the tickets and 85 percent of the money has been bet on McGregor in recent weeks, and Vegas sportsbooks likely are hoping many more bettors will follow the Maloofs' lead to offset their extraordinary liability in the event of a shocking upset win by McGregor.
Gavin has attended Mayweather's last dozen fights in person and watched everything the champion has ever done, so he feels confident in his bet. Yet he also sees how an upset could happen — which only makes it more exciting.

"Floyd is the greatest counterpuncher that probably ever lived," Maloof said. "I know Conor is a great puncher, and I'm not taking anything away from the UFC. Conor is probably going to be the aggressor. Floyd will wait until he punches. You have a guy switching sports, and that's not easy, and then you're taking on the greatest boxer of all time. Now on the reverse side, you have Conor who's much younger, and maybe that will affect Floyd. It's a good fight."



The brothers conceived the bet purely for the gambling thrill of it, but quickly realized they could make it even more important. They decided to select several charities to distribute their profits to charity on behalf of Never Too Hungover. - AP

Transfer news : Deportivo La Coruna make bid for Lucas Perez

Spanish La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna have made a “great” £10.9m offer for Arsenal forward Lucas Perez according to his representative as all parties work hard to agree on a deal, according to Sky Sports’ Chief Sports reporter Bryan Swanson.

The Spanish striker has grown frustrated with a lack of first team opportunities given to him by manager Arsene Wenger, who is adamant that they is still room for Perez in his squad and believes that he can help the side significantly this season.
However, the striker himself feels differently and wants to move away from the Emirates to ensure that he gets enough playing time.
He moved to Arsenal from Deportivo and is thought to prefer a move back to his old club, who are working hard to strike a deal with Arsenal.

Perez failed to make a positive impact in his only season at the club as he struggled to break into the first team. The Gunners recently placed a £30m price-tag on Perez, which has put several clubs off pursuing him.
When Wenger was asked whether Perez will be leaving this summer he replied:

“Yes, because we have a congestion of strikers. I don’t like to lose him because, for me, he’s a top-quality striker but we have many strikers.”

- Read Sport

Only in jungle where looters are hail !!! Crowd sets man on fire over N45,000 mobile phone theft

A mob, during the weekend, roasted a yet to be identified middle-aged man for allegedly stealing a phone estimated at N45,000 in Mushin area of Lagos.

The deceased, said to be a lone robbery suspect, reportedly entered an apartment at 19 Olorunshogu Street, Mushin, where he took the phone and sneaked out at about 6.30pm.

A female tenant said to have seen him with a Samsung Galaxy phone, raised the alarm which alerted residents in the area.
Eye witnesses revealed that the suspect initially denied the allegation, stating that he only missed his way.
He later admitted, blaming hunger for the act.
His passionate plea for forgiveness fell on deaf ears as he was beaten to pulp and set ablaze before the arrival of policemen from Area ‘ D’ command.

Spokesman for the Lagos State Police command, Olarinde Famous-Cole, who confirmed the incident, said that one person had been arrested in connection with the mob action.
Olarinde gave the identity of the arrested suspect as Isiaka Kolawole, adding that he was being interrogated at the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, SCIID, Yaba.

He said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased was accused of stealing a galaxy phone from a house, in Mushin” - Daily Post

Jungle Republic : BBC slams Nigeria president for medical treatment abroad

BBC has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for “an apparent lack of faith in the health systems at home”.

Buhari was named in the category of five African presidents who routinely travel abroad for medical treatment.

Others listed were Presidents Abdelaziz Bouteflika (Algeria), Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe), Jose Eduardo dos Santos (Angola) and Patrice Talon (Benin).
Buhari was described as the “first among equals” in terms of time spent abroad getting medical help.

In the report, BBC quoted Naziru Mikailu, its Abuja editor, as saying the public health system in Nigeria is terrible because of poor funding.
Earlier in the year, Buhari spent 49 days in the United Kingdom.

He returned to the London on May 7 and has been there since. - Daily Post

Drug Trafficking : Nigerian, two girlfriends arrested (photo)

Three suspects have been arrested for illegal possession and importation of a dangerous drug- Ephedrine.

43-year-old Nigerian, Christian Osingwelen, was arrested with two Malawian ladies said to be his lovers.

The two ladies were identified as Lusungu Mlenga, 39 and Nkhata Bayand Rita Juma.
According to the Nation Newspaper, they were apprehended at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe.
Their arrest was following a tipoff that Mlenga was suspected to be collecting a table with drug concealment.

Airport Police Branch Public Relations Office Sapulain Chitonde Lee said their arrest was following a tipoff from MRA Officers working in the arrivals hall stating that Mlenga is suspected to be collecting a table with drug concealment.

“Police searched the table and found packets of unknown powder and later broke one packet to see the powder where they found a dangerous drug called Ephedrin.

“We are yet to finalise interrogating the three to where the drugs were coming from and who owns it,” said Chitonde.

“Juma, a girl friend to the Nigerian man received a call from his friend to collect 1000 USD in town and give it to him at the airport without telling her the use of the said money.
“The Nigerian while accepting the statements from his friends, however, denied ownership of both the table and the drug, despite giving Mlenga all the money to clear the table at MRA.
 - Daily Post

OMG !!! Pregnant mother of three kills husband over food items[PHOTO]

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a pregnant housewife simply identified as Halima, for allegedly killing her husband, Ibrahim Ismail over foodstuff.

Halima, who is expecting her fourth child is alleged to have killed her husband in their house in Nasarawo Demsa community, Numan Local Government Area of the state, following a disagreement over food items.

The suspect has been married to the deceased for more than five years and had three children together.
A neighbour of the couple who spoke with Punch disclosed that the disagreement which led to the death of the businessman bordered on foodstuffs he bought.

The report quoted the source as saying, “Around 5.30am on Thursday, I heard my wife shouting and screaming. I asked her what happened and she said the wife of our next-door neighbour had killed him.
“When I got to the man’s house, I saw him in a pool of blood. There were a lot of sympathisers in his room, mostly women.

“When I tried to talk to him, he could not answer back and appeared lifeless. The wife had also been apprehended.
“When I enquired what happened, I was told that Ibrahim went to buy foodstuffs in the market so that she could cook for the family. However, when he returned from the market, he did not meet her at home.

“He was troubled and looked for her everywhere. When he couldn’t find her, he left the foodstuffs and went out. When he returned to the house some minutes later, he discovered that she had returned home.
“He asked her where she went and why she left the foodstuffs he bought for her, but that started an argument between them.

“During the quarrel, the man took a wood and hit her with it. The woman went to pick a knife she was using to cut onions and stabbed him. He fell and collapsed.”
Following the incident, policemen from the Numan division, arrived at the scene and arrested the expectant mother and the deceased was rushed to a general hospital where he was confirmed dead by a doctor.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Othman Abubakar, when contacted promised to confirm the incident. - Daily Post

Viral Video : Couple, 69 and 70, Stuns Crowd With Their Smooth Dance Moves

One couple’s dance moves are only getting better with time.

Nick, 70, and Emma Nichols, 69, went viral after a video of them dancing at a Ludacris concert in Virginia in July went viral.
“The DJs were playing. I said, ‘If we’re going to do any dancing, we better do it now.’ It was a good song, a good beat and we started moving and it picked up,” Nick told InsideEdition.com.” It was just one of those moments. It just happened."

The couple did their own choreographed two-step to J-Kwon’s “Tipsy” as onlookers gathered. The video, which was shared to Facebook, has since been viewed nearly 7 million times."
Nick initially bought the Ludacris tickets because he previously heard a song by him and liked the beat, so when he came to town, they decided to attend.
But, Nick said dancing is something he and Emma do all the time.

“As far as dancing, we try to go out every Saturday night," Nick said. "[We] don’t make every Saturday but we try to make it an every week ritual where we just go out, have a good time. I just saw a statistic where it says, 'If you’re 37, you’re too old for a club.’ Well, I’m about 35, I guess.”
Emma wasn’t always a dancer, but once she met Nick, who she has been with for 48 years, he “brought her out of her shell.”

“He’s the one that really got me going," she said. "I wasn’t a sports person, I wasn’t a dance person. I was a person that hit the books all the time. But knowing him after 48 years, that’s entirely different [now]."




This isn’t the first time the couple has gone viral, however. In 2015, they were captured dancing in a mall after a DJ put them on the spot. That clip has been viewed more than 23 million times.
[I] never had a lesson [and] will not take one," Nick said. "I’m the original. If it’s got a beat, we’re in the street.”

Wow ! Shoplifter gets job after police officer buys him interview clothes

A policeman who bought a would-be shoplifter clothes for an interview has revealed he got the job.

Constable Niran Jeyanesan arrived to arrest a potential thief at a Walmart in Toronto, but decided to buy the 18-year-old the clothes after hearing what he wanted them for.
Mr Jeyanesan was intrigued because the man was attempting to steal a shirt, socks and tie.
"He was apprehensive to talk about it, at first, but he began to open up," the police officer said.
The man was precariously housed and claimed his father had become ill and could not work, Toronto police said.

The police officers released the man without charge, saying they recognised his need for a second chance in life.
“As police officers we want to solve the problem," Mr Jeyanesan said. "He was stealing this shirt because he wanted a job. Now he has one.
"In many cases, charging someone is the best way to solve the problem. Sometimes it's not the best solution.
“In this case, something clicked and I believed in him.”

He added: “He was very remorseful for his actions that day. We all make mistakes and someone, at some point, gives us a second chance.
"I thought about it and went back inside to buy him the clothes he wanted."

Staff Sergeant Paul Bois said: "You’re supposed to set a positive example as a police officer, and be a role model and he certainly did that.
“When you come on this job, it is to help people and that’s what he did. He listened to his circumstances and learned more.” - The Independent

Updates : Evans' Kidnapping Associates Arrested

Ongoing police investigation of suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, has revealed that he was also involved in crimes in South Africa, it was gathered yesterday.

That is besides his alleged illegal procurement of a Ghanaian passport that bears his passport photograph but a Ghanaian name.

Police spokesman, Mr. Moshood Jimoh, told The Nation that the investigation has also led to the arrest of more associates of Evans who were found to be probably wealthier and living bigger than him.
Evans is spending his second month in police custody and is expected to be formally charged within the next one month, Jimoh said.
He said:”You may recall that a Federal High Court granted us a three month remand warrant for Evans. We are just into the second month now and before the expiration of the third month, it is expected that we should be taking him to court.
“The little time is to ensure that we conduct a thorough and detailed investigation.

“This is somebody that committed crimes across several states and even went outside Nigeria.
“You may recall that he illegally acquired a Ghanaian passport with a Ghanaian name but with his passport photograph.
“He was also fingered for involvement in other crimes in South Africa and other places. So we need a little time to properly round things up and ensure that he is properly prosecuted because Nigerians will not be happy if we lose such a case in court on the basis of technical matters.”

He said relations of former victims of Evans’ are among those being detained by the police.
They are suspected of giving information about the former kidnap victims to Evans.
He advised the public to be security conscious at all times to avoid falling prey to kidnappers.
His words: “He (Evans) did things with lots of such people and we have lots of suspects who had collaborated with him in one way or the other; we even have other prime suspects apart from those that were arrested with him and paraded.

“In the course of this investigation we have other prime suspects including people who broke away from Evans’ gang to start their own gang – they left Evans to go and do a similar (kidnapping) business.
“Some of the suspects we later picked after detectives’ interactions with Evans are even living larger than Evans.
“We are going to ensure that we don’t make things public until we gather all our evidence towards securing a conviction in court.

“I won’t give you figures but they are many suspects; there are a lot of accomplices, lots of former gang members and lots of other people that have in one way or the other facilitated the offences committed by Evans and others.
“There is a special group of criminal suspects that are referred to as ‘catchers’; in criminal syndicates, they are the people that identify targets and give information about innocent, law-abiding people and more of such suspects are being rounded up.

“Part of our investigation reveals that Evans himself jogs round the estate where he lives every morning and uses that opportunity to assess information on those potential victims that have what they describe as ‘kidnap value’.
“It was after his arrest that some of his surprised neighbours realized that it was this man that used to jog around; that is why security-consciousness necessitates that every citizen should be alert and see things beyond their noses now.
“Sometimes, it is easy to jeopardise your security by being a good Samaritan through acts like offering someone a lift in your car because there are persons who can take advantage of your kind or welcoming nature.

“All citizens equally need to know where potential help can come from in security emergency situations like where police or other security people are located, the right telephone numbers to call and so on.


“The IG of Police is taking the battle to criminals but maximum security is achieved through the alertness of everybody in the interest of everybody and such attitude goes a long way to prevent many people from becoming victims of criminality.” - The Nation

PL : Utd have to win title - Neville

Gary Neville says Manchester United "have to win" the Premier League title this season, and if they don't there will be "no excuses".

After finishing sixth last year, United kicked off their 2017/18 campaign with a thumping 4-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.
Summer signing Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the win while another new addition, Nemanja Matic, impressed after his move from Chelsea.
Neville won the league eight times with United and, speaking before the game on Sunday, says his former club must now challenge again.

"You can't just drop your expectation because they haven't won it for a couple of years. They have to win the league. Jose Mourinho has to win the league here," he said on Sky Sports on Nissan Super Sunday.
"The money that's been spent, his own personal expectations and what he's always delivered has been titles, so I would say United have to approach this season to win the league.
"I don't think it's good enough to say 'they're going to get back into fourth'. That isn't an ambition when you've spent the money that's been spent and amassed the players that Mourinho has now amassed."

United have not won the Premier League title since 2012/13 when Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
But, having spent more than £145m this summer, Neville thinks they are well equipped to compete again.
"I have never seen this league won without power and pace and a really strong spine, and it looks like United have got that," he said.
"They look like they are going to mount a challenge. It's day one, but they look like they have the attributes to mount a challenge for the title because they seem like they have everything.
"There is no excuse for Man Utd not to challenge for the league. That's not putting pressure on the players or Jose Mourinho, but they have to challenge with the money that has been spent and the players that have been brought in.

"Last season was not good enough in terms of the Premier League, nowhere near good enough. It was a massive under-performance from those players, so they have to get back up there this year."
Neville also reiterated his surprise that United were able to buy Matic from last season's champions Chelsea.

"You cannot believe Chelsea have given Mourinho a piece of the jigsaw in Matic," he said. "I can't think of one reason why Chelsea sold him.
"United beat Chelsea to Lukaku and then Chelsea have handed them Matic. They look like the type of players that were needed to correct what was wrong last season, and Chelsea have helped them and had a big influence on that."
Asked what United still need to add to this squad this summer, Neville said: "I'd name a player similar to Arjen Robben - a wide player. [Marcus] Rashford did very well today but is he a wide player? Not really.

"I'm talking about someone who can generally play left side. If you could add one world-class winger to add to the squad you could say it was a complete squad…they are covered everywhere, they have such strength." - Sky

PL latest : Spurs make Shelvey pay

Tottenham opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win at Newcastle as the Magpies' top-flight return was sullied by Jonjo Shelvey's red card.

Rafa Benitez's side had delivered a disciplined first-half display until Shelvey lost his soon after the restart, treading on Dele Alli's ankle in front of the referee to leave a side that had already lost two players to injuries facing an even sterner task.
Alli made Shelvey's team-mates pay, meeting a Christian Eriksen cross at the back post in the 61st minute, and Ben Davies slotted a second soon after (70) as last year's runners-up shrugged off scrutiny of their transfer business to start with three points on the first Nissan Super Sunday of the season.

Newcastle had started brightly in the Tyneside sunshine, old boy Moussa Sissoko enthusiastically booed, but Dwight Gayle caught an early half-volley with shin rather than boot and saw a penalty appeal rendered academic by an offside flag.
Paul Dummett had hobbled off with a hamstring injury just eight minutes in and Benitez was forced into a further defensive reshuffle when Harry Kane scythed down debutant Florian Lejeune, Chancel Mbemba sent on in his place.

Eriksen watched a snapshot spin wide of the post and saw a curling effort comfortably claimed but an organised Newcastle side largely nullified Spurs' threat and carried their own on the counter, Christian Atsu a regular source of spark down the left.
Benitez would have been buoyed at the break but he was fuming just two minutes after the restart when Shelvey was shown a straight red, treading witlessly on Alli's ankle in front of the referee after the Spurs player had provocatively prodded the ball from his grasp.

The game lurched into life, Kane scenting his 100th Tottenham goal only to be denied by Rob Elliot at point-blank range, but, to the chagrin of St James' Park, it was Alli who made the breakthrough, meeting Eriksen's clipped ball on the stretch at the far post.
Spurs were now in control and Alli was involved in a neat second just nine minutes later, his flick eventually falling to Davies to slot into the far corner.

Mauricio Pochettino's side might have had a third but Kane, set free by Heung-min Son's through-ball, clattered a post, his wait for a Spurs milestone - and a first Premier League goal in August - stretching on.

Man of the match - Kyle Walker-Peters
Despite Pochettino claiming he was not yet ready to start a Premier League game for Tottenham, Walker-Peters replaced injured Kieran Trippier in the right-back spot and proved a hit.
A solid first-half defensive display was followed by a second half in which his attacking abilities came to the fore, the England U20 World Cup delivering a flurry of crosses into the box. Kyle Walker has gone but in Walker-Peters, Pochettino may have found another gem.

The stats
Dele Alli has scored 13 Premier League goals in 2017; among English players, only Harry Kane (21) has scored more.
Jonjo Shelvey was the first Newcastle player to be sent off on the opening day of a Premier League season at St. James' Park since Alan Shearer in 1999.

The managers
Rafa Benitez: "(Shelvey) made a mistake. Hopefully he will learn from that. He knows he has made a mistake and he has apologised but it changes nothing now.
"Still I would like to see if this is a more dangerous situation than the tackle from behind to Lejeune. What is worse, what is a red card? But it's no excuses because we made a mistake and that's it."
Mauricio Pochettino: "Maybe it was a little bit a situation you can smell. He (Alli) was a little bit of a target. He tried to play football and to score goals and with that action, you agree it's a sending off." - Sky