A Libya based man, Aliu Mohammed from Kogi State is trying to locate the family of a Nigerian lady identified as Kehinde.
According to the information he posted on Facebook on Wednesday, May 18, the lady said to be from Oyo State is critically ill in Tripoli, the Libya capital.
By Jide N.
Hip Hop mogul, Russell Simmons, is suing his ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons and her current husband, Tim Leissner.
According to The Blast, Russell Simmons is suing them for using his shares of his Celsius Energy Drink company to pay for attorney fees for Leissner.
The Def Jam pioneer claims that his shares are being used as collateral to pay a bond in connection with criminal charges filed against Kimora’s new husband by federal authorities.
In the suit filed by Russell Simmons, he claims that he, Kimora and her husband Tim invested millions of dollars into Celsius Energy Drink, but allege that the Kimora and her new beau “conspired with each other, aided and abetted each other and together engaged in fraud by causing an unlawful conversion and fraudulent transfer” of the Celsius shares to themselves without his knowledge or consent.
Russell says that he sent a letter to his ex-wife on May 5, pleading with her to do the right thing in order to avoid a lawsuit.
In the letter, he told Kimora that he wanted “to get the important family matter of the Celsius shares to a close so that we can put it behind us and carry on as the loving united front we have always been.
Russell Simmons is asking a judge for damages against Kimora and Leissner and believes he should be awarded restitution for interest and equal value for the ill-gotten shares.
Kimora’s husband, who is a former Southeast Asia chairman for Goldman Sachs, pleads guilty to criminal conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering in November 2018
Russell Simmons claims he knew Leissner would need millions of dollars, $44 million according to his lawsuit, to stay out of jail which prompted the illegal transfer of the shares.
Simmons closed his letter to his ex-wife, saying, “I am shocked and saddened to see how your side has behaved in response to my repeated attempts to get an agreement from you to rightfully and legally reaffirm my 50% of the Celsius shares…which have been locked up with the government after being used for your husband’s bail money.”
By Jide N.
British supermodel, Naomi Campbell was pictured without a baby bump in New York just three weeks before announcing the arrival of her first child at 50.
In newly unearthed snaps, Naomi showcased her model figure in a blue and white tracksuit amid claims she welcomed her daughter via surrogate.
The supermodel, who has been secretly dating an American for the past 18 months, was photographed in NYC, where she currently lives last month.
According to the Daily Mail, her friends believe she used a surrogate and several fans have suggested the same.
On Tuesday May 18, Naomi shocked fans when she revealed she had become a mother as she shared a picture of her newborn and wrote: “A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother.
“So honoured to have this gentle soul in my life there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you my angel. There is no greater love.”
By Jide N.
Emmanuel Eneji, a 23-year-old movie producer, and nineteen others have been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, for alleged internet fraud.
According to a statement released by the EFCC, the nineteen suspects whose ages range between 19 and 36 include Okonkwo Chukwudi Charles, Obua Akwo Promise, Angba Murphy, Adie Stephen, Success Otu Edem, Asukwo Emmanuel, Godspower Akwo, Anibiet Nna, Jesam Akpama, and Dennis Jerry.
Others are Princewill Sunny, Godbless Olulu, Charles Onwuneme, David Njoku, Victor Francis, Goodluck Alabo, Happiness Otu, Nwadike Kelechi, and Obasi Ugochukwu
The suspects were picked up at different locations within the state capital, namely Ekorimim, Ifete junction, Parliamentary by Car Park, and Behind Zone 6 by Monty Suit.
Their arrest was facilitated by credible intelligence regarding their nefarious activities.
Items recovered from the suspects include one unmarked black Toyota Corolla car, one red Toyota Avalon with registration number-CHR 56 AF, various sophisticated mobile phones, laptops, one WiFi Router, one Modulator-demodulator, and flash drives.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the Commission concludes investigation.
By Jide N.
Crystal Palace attacking midfielder, Eberechi Eze is reportedly facing more than six months on the sidelines after suffering a serious Achilles injury in training.
The England U21 star suffered an injury in training on Tuesday, May 18, according to The Athletic. Eze will visit a specialist for scans and further treatment on Wednesday, with surgery likely required to fix the problem.
If the scans reveal the worst, Eze could be ruled out well into next season.
Eze who was born in England to parents of Nigerian descent, represented England at the Under 20 and Under 21 level. He has scored four goals in 29 Premier League starts for Crystal Palace this season following his signing from QPR for £16m.
This comes a day after Palace boss, Roy Hodgson said he was not aware of the severity of the injury when he gave his press conference, where he also confirmed his imminent departure from the club.
By Terry W.
A mum told police she was “hearing voices telling her to kill her kids” hours before two young children were found dead in Tempe, Arizona, US.
Yui Inoue, 40, stopped an Arizona cop as he was heading out for patrol at 7am on Saturday, May 15. The mum, who seemed frantic, flagged him down and told him she’s hearing voices to kill her kids.
Officers immediately rushed to her apartment, based 11 miles outside of Phoenix, and found a girl, 9, and a boy, 7, dead.
Tempe Police Sergeant Steven Carbajal said there were “obvious signs of physical trauma”.
“It was very tragic what officers encountered, and we’re trying to support the father and our officers right now,” Carbajal said.
“Our officers are really struggling.”
Inoue was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Before the children were found dead, cops responded to a domestic call from the apartment at around 12.30am the same morning because the mum and dad were fighting, Carbajal added.
Officers separated the couple and checked on the children who were fine at the time. They then left the scene when tensions settled down.
Carbajal said: “It didn’t seem like there was an immediate threat to the children.
“Parents, couples, argue and they have disagreements, and they have issues that come up that often don’t require that type of intervention.”
The children’s dad wasn’t home at the time of the incident, and is not considered to be a suspect, the Arizona Republic reports.
The father “broke down” when police told him what happened to the kids, according to local media.
By Jide N.
Australian Olympian, Torah Bright, has responded after she was attacked on social media for posting an “insane” nude breastfeeding picture as she performed a handstand.
The 34-year-old showed off her toned physique in a photo she shared with her Instagram followers on Sunday, May 9.
In it, she’s seen wearing only her panties while doing a handstand. Her 10-month-old son, Flow, is seen kneeling to breastfeed as she holds the upside-down position.
The Winter Olympian, who earned a gold and silver medal in the snowboard halfpipe, captioned the photo: “Becoming a mother has unleashed something inside of me.
“It’s deeply spiritual. It’s primal. It’s raw. It’s fierce. It is pure. I am mother.”
Her post earned her praises and criticisms.
One user wrote: “I just don’t get the need to seek attention and post photos of everything you do. I just don’t get it.”
Another added, “My first question is – why?? Sure I get it’s natural & a beautiful thing – but I don’t post my first bowel movement of the day standing on 1 leg. Same thing?”
Bright hit back at the cruel comments, after admitting reading them “made her sad”.
She wrote on her Instagram Story: “In my world, mothers should be each other’s cheer leaders (it’s hard enough). Embrace our quirkiness and finding the joy in every sh***y thing that is motherhood.
“We all do it differently. It is not wrong or right. Motherhood is pure. I only now consider myself a Wonder Woman because I have joined the sacred MOTHERS club with you. Nothing but respect to all mothers.”
Bright reminded her followers she was not “looking for praise,” instead proudly saying she “walks this earth to the beat of my own drum, led by my nutrition and search for love and joy … obviously.”
She also related to a quote from Mary Poppins that reads: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and snap, the job’s a game.”
The renowned Olympic athlete shares Flow with her husband, fellow snowboarder Angus Thomson.
She is Australia’s most successful athlete in Winter Olympic history.
By
The leader of the Indigenious People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has dismissed claims that men of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, were behind the various attacks in the Southern part of Nigeria.
Kanu on December 13 2020 launched the ESN security outfit due to the rising insecurity in the region.
There have been allegations that the ESN was behind the various attacks on police formations in the South South and South Eastern parts of the country.
In a tweet posted today, May 17, Kanu said operatives of the security outfit are too disciplined to be involved in criminal activities.
His tweet reads
“I’ve said it before but let me say it again that the Eastern Security Network I command is strictly organized to deal with TERRORIST herdsmen in our land.
ESN is a highly disciplined group of volunteers that do not engage in any act of criminality or terror”
By Jide N.
A shirtless Tyson Fury couldn’t keep his hands off his bikini-clad wife, Paris as he cradled her baby bump in a new Instagram post, after she jetted into Miami from Manchester to be with him following viral photos of girls rubbing oil on the boxer’s body last week.
Pregnant Paris, 31, flew into Miami on Tuesday, May 18 and packed on the PDA with husband and WBC heavyweHeav champion, Tyson, 32.
Hours before the pool photo, Paris flashed her jaw-dropping diamond wedding ring as she posed for a selfie with Tyson.
Her move comes after tabloids suggested their relationship might be having issues after she uploaded a photo on Instagram covering her wedding ring finger with a smiley days after the shirtless boxer was seen being slathered in sun cream by bikini-clad ladies.
In a gushing post, Tyson wrote: ‘Wow! Look what I bumped into in Miami the hottest blonde about, @parisfury1 my queen has arrived….. usa.’
By Kingsley U.
Another alleged cosmetic surgery victim who suffered a botched butt surgery has come out to accuse Dr Anu Adepoju of being responsible.
Photos of the patient’s butt with puss leaking out of it are circulating online, alongside a chat purportedly from the patient. She was banned, read here
In the chat, the patient alleged that Dr Anu moved her practice to Abuja after her clinic in Lagos – Medcontour – was shut down over alleged malpractice.
The patient added that she lives in New York and didn’t know about Dr Anu or the other patients who claim to be her victims.
When she returned to Nigeria, she booked a session with Dr Anu, she claims, and it ended in a disaster.
Photos of her bum are now circulating on Twitter, with some people calling her out for not doing a Google search of the doctor who she was about to entrust with her life and money.
Others called Dr Anu out, making her trend again.
Recall that Dr Anu of Medcontour has been involved in controversies after multiple patients who visited her cosmetic surgery clinic for body enhancement suffered life-threatening complications, including a former beauty queen, Nneka, who later died in LUTH.
Last year, Dr Aanu was suspended from the medical profession in Nigeria after LUTH petitioned the medical panel following the death of the victim of Dr Anu’s procedure who died after being transferred to its hospital.
Also, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, sued her to court for malpractice in July 2020 and photos of her arriving in court were shared online (read here).
Yet, she’s alleged to have continued practicing in Abuja, causing harm to patients.
Below are some Twitter reactions to the allegations.
By Francisca C.
Southern Governors have gotten the backing of Speakers of the southern states’ House of Assembly over the agreement that was reached in Asaba, Delta state’s capital few days ago.
The Speakers in a resolution signed by the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori, who doubles as the Deputy National Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, said they were ready to galvanise their respective parliaments to legislate on resolutions of the southern governors for the country to overcome its current challenges and make progress.
The resolution also had the signatures of Mr Aniekan Bassey, Vice Chairman (South South) of the conference; Francis O.Nwifuru, Vice Chairman (South East) of the conference; and Prince Olakunle Taiwo Oluomo, Vice Chairman (South West) of the conference.
The state legislative leaders further called for national dialogue, restructuring of the country and respect for federal character. They commended southern governors for coming together to speak with one voice, saying that their resolutions were pathways to resolving the problems facing the country.
It read;
“We, the speakers of state legislatures in Southern Nigeria, commend the governors of the southern states for their patriotism and firm belief in the unity of the country.
“We salute the governors for their initiative and restate our support for their positions. We wish to state, unequivocally, that the issues canvassed in the communique are neither new nor strange, rather they require swift response from the Federal Government.
“The country is currently undergoing very challenging times and requires bold and audacious measures to stop it from sliding into abyss.
“We maintain that the positions of the governors, ascontained in the communique issued on May 11, 2021, in Asaba, are sacrosanct and a guarantee for justice, fairness and equity in the country.We adopt all the positions in the communique and reiterate the call for the ban on open grazing of cattle in the south. We support the call for the restructuring of the country to enthrone true federalism and, therefore, the convocation of a national dialogue is inevitable.That this will afford stakeholders from all parts of the country to table their prejudices and, together, work out a sustainable relationship as one indivisible country.
“We, also, urge the governors to send bills to the legislature, where necessary, to address some of the issues in the communique.”
By Kingsley U.
Manchester United icon, Roy Keane has become the fourth player to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
The former Irish midfielder is one of the most decorated players in Premier League history, having won seven titles with United, and joins ex-team-mate Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, and Alan Shearer in the Hall of Fame.
‘I feel very lucky to be inducted but I’ve only been inducted because of the players I’ve played with,’ Keane said in contrasting style to Cantona, whose place in the Hall of Fame was announced earlier on Tuesday.
As well as seven Premier League titles, Keane also won four FA Cups, four Community Shields, one Champions League and an Intercontinental Cup during his time at United.
Keane, who made 366 Premier League appearances, scoring 39 times and registering 33 assists, is widely regarded as one of the best central midfield players of his time.
The honour recognises players who have demonstrated an exceptional record of on-pitch success and have made important contributions in the division since its creation in 1992.
In order to be eligible for induction, players must have been retired by August 1, 2020
By Jide N.
Belgium have revealed their squad for Euro 2020 with Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku named among a strong 26-man squad for the world’s No1 ranked team.
Former Tottenham and Arsenal center-backs, Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Vermaelen are also included in the squad ahead of the tournament, which begins on 11 June.
Belgium are the top seed in Group B and face Russia in their opening game on 12 June before facing Denmark and Finland.
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Matz Sels.
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata, Jason Denayer, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen.
Wing-backs: Yannick Carrasco, Timothy Castagne, Nacer Chadli, Thorgan Hazard, Thomas Meunier.
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Leander Dendoncker, Dennis Praet, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel.
Forwards: Jeremy Doku, Eden Hazard, Dries Martens, Leandro Trossard.
Strikers: Michy Batshuayi, Christian Benteke, Romelu Lukaku.
By Lucky B.
A man has shown the essay his 4-year-old daughter wrote about him in a project for her pre-school.
In a funny clip uploaded on TikTok, the father, Zach @dadrealbad, displays his little girl’s completed essay and it paints an interesting picture of his character and hobbies.
In the TikTok video, the dad tells viewers: “Alright, so they did this ‘All about my dad’ thing at my daughter’s pre-school… It says, ‘What does your dad do for work?’ and she wrote, ‘I don’t know but he eats.” Further down in the hobbies section, her answer is: “My dad likes to eat dinner.”
The father then goes on to show a picture of the essay in which the girl hilariously claimed that her dad is just six years old.
Asked what she likes to do with her father, she wrote: “I like to play with him.”
The child admitted that her dad is good at football and adorably wrote that “love makes him happy”.
The clip was a huge hit on the video-sharing app and many viewers had their own funny tales of when kids had been brutally honest about them.
See a part of the essay below.
bY Kingsley U.
President Buhari who is currently in Paris, France for the African Finance Summit, met with the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife, Brigitte, at the Elysee Palace on Monday May 17.
The two leaders met to discuss the growing security threats in Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations, economic ties, and climate change.
See more photos below…
By Francis B.
Bruno Fernandes has been crowned Manchester United’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for the second successive season.
United fans across the world voted for the winner of the award and the Portuguese midfielder won by a landslide ahead of England left-back Luke Shaw and Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani.
Fernandes scooped 63 percent of the votes cast compared to Shaw’s 21 percent share and Cavani’s six percent.
The playmaker has enjoyed another remarkable campaign, scoring 18 times in 36 Premier League starts, claiming nine goals in Europe (Europa League) as well as a free-kick winner against Liverpool in the Emirates FA Cup.
He has also contributed 11 assists in the Premier League and a further five in Europe
By Jide N.
Xiang Xueqiu, the wife of Belgium’s ambassador to South Korea, Peter Lescouhier is exercising her diplomatic immunity to avoid charges after allegedly slapping a store assistant in April, police have revealed on Tuesday, May 18.
A security video widely shared online showed Xiang getting into an altercation with two clothing store staff on April 9, after one of the women asked the ambassador’s wife about a jacket she was wearing, believing she might have stolen it.
The employee, who wished to remain anonymous said she couldn’t understand Xiang and tried to look at the label inside the jacket.
When she confronted Xiang on the street outside the store, she saw the jacket was not from the shop. She apologized in English and came back inside, but was pursued by Xiang.
In the video, Xiang can be seen gesticulating angrily and shoving one of the clerks, before slapping her across the face.
In a photo shared, the woman was left with a large red swelling on her face.
“We can understand her anger but that does not justify her violent behavior,” the employee said, adding that the woman who was slapped suffered ringing in her ear and “mental anguish.”
“We’re not sure if we’ll be able to get a genuine apology through reporting this incident but this could happen to other employees in the service industry,” the employees said in a statement.
“In a hope to prevent any future recurrences, by someone who abuses one’s power, we’re providing this footage.”
According to the Belgian Embassy, Xiang was hospitalized following the incident, but has since been discharged.
Ambassador Peter Lescouhier previously apologized on behalf of his wife, saying she “might have had her reasons to be angry at the way she was treated in that shop, but committing physical violence is totally unacceptable.”
“She sincerely regrets it and she wants to offer her apologies in person to the shopkeeper when she gets the opportunity to do so,” Lescouhier said, adding his wife was “cooperating actively with the police.”
But the Seoul Metropolitan Police said today Tuesday that Xiang had exercised her diplomatic immunity, and therefore the prosecution was being dropped. Under the Vienna Convention, to which South Korea is a signatory, diplomats and their families are entitled to immunity from criminal prosecution, but this can be voluntarily waived.
See the video of the attack below
By Francisca C.
A popular film director in Iran, Babak Khorranmdin, 47, has reportedly been murdered by his family in an honour killing row over not getting married.
Khorranmdin’s body parts were discovered in a suitcase and bins outside his parents’ home in Iran following an ‘honour killing’ for not getting married .
Babak Khorranmdin, who is a London-based film director, was sedated and cut into pieces, and his body parts were discovered in bins and a suitcase on Sunday, May 16 after he returned from living in London, iranwire.com reported.
His father confessed to the killing after he and his wife were arrested in Ekbatan, west Tehran, according to Rokna news agency.
His father reportedly said: “Because of the disputes we had, I sedated him this morning (Sunday) by giving him anaesthetics, then stabbed him to death. Then I dismembered his body and threw it in the nearest trash can on the street with my wife.”
Tehran’s Police Station found evidence of the murder whilst searching the family home, it was reported.
Since the news broke, tributes from friends who knew Mr Khorramdin through his work and studies in UK cinema have been pouring in.
He moved to London a year after graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Tehran in 2009 with a master’s degree in cinema.
He studied film in the capital and had returned to Iran to teach the subject to his country folk when he was killed.
According to Iran International TV, the honour killing “has shocked the country”.
Iran International TV Middle East Analyst and Editor Jason Brodsky said: “I think the horrific death of Babak Khorramdin is only the latest example of a long pattern of domestic violence that we have seen in Iran.
“It follows the tragic death of Ali Fazeli Monfared, who was killed by family members after they found out he was gay. That is not to mention the case last year of Romina Ashfrafi, a 14-year-old girl who was beheaded by her father in an honour killing.
“Despite a child protection law being passed in 2020 in Iran, honour killings and domestic violence continue more broadly, and this is an area the international community needs to address with Iran.”
By Lucky B.
Five suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested by the operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Office of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) for offences bordering on cybercrime.
The suspects are Oladosu Olakunmi Olamilekan, Olaoye Jamiu Olarewaju, Alimi Abiodun, Toheed Muritala and Afolabi Kamaldeen.
The suspect were arrested at the International Airport, Ilorin, following intelligence obtained by the Commission about their arrival after they flew into Ilorin from Lagos on Monday, May 17, 2021.
According to EFCC, four of the arrested suspects are students of Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete, while the fifth suspect is a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
Upon arrest, items recovered from them include a Mercedes Benz C300, mobile phones and a laptop computer.
The suspects have volunteered useful statements to the Commission and will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded.
By Kingsley U.
France coach, Didier Deschamps has recalled Karim Benzema in his Euro 2020 squad despite the striker facing trial for alleged sex-tape blackmail.
Benzema, who has scored 29 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid this season, has not played for Les Bleus since 2015 over alleged sex-tape blackmail of former team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.
The Real Madrid striker is accused of pressuring Valbuena in 2015 to pay blackmailers who threatened to reveal an intimate video in which Valbuena featured. The scandal led to his ban from the France national team since November 2015.
The French man will stand trial from October 20 to 22 on the charge of complicity in attempted blackmail.
But the 33-year-old, who has 27 goals in 81 games for France, is included in the 26-man squad alongside fellow forwards Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Kingsley Coman, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele, Wissam Ben Yedder, and Marcus Thuram.
Shortly after the squad was revealed, Karim Benzema wrote on Twitter: “I am so proud to return to the French national team & for the faith being placed in me. Thanks to my family, my friends, my club, to you… and all those who have always supported me & given me strength daily.”
Tellement fier de ce retour en équipe de France et de la confiance que l’on m’accorde. Merci à ma famille, mes amis, mon club, à vous… et à tous ceux qui m’ont toujours soutenu et me donnent de la force au quotidien 🙏🏼 #AllezLesBleus #Euro2021 #Blessed #AlHamdullilah pic.twitter.com/b8PJj1BATm
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) May 18, 2021
Euro 2020, which has been delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, starts on June 11. France are in Group F with Germany, Hungary and Portugal.
See France squad for Euro 2020 below.
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham); Mike Maignan (Lille); Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Everton); Leo Dubois (Lyon); Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich); Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Sain- Germain); Jules Kounde (Sevilla); Clement Lenglet (Barcelona); Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich); Raphael Varane (Real Madrid); Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Ngolo Kante (Chelsea); Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid); Paul Pogba (Manchester United); Adrien Rabiot (Juventus); Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham); Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco); Karim Benzema (Real Madrid); Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich); Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona); Olivier Giroud (Chelsea); Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona); Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain); Marcus Thuram (Borussia Munchengladbach)
By Kingsley U.
Chelsea defeated Leicester City 2-1 in Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, May 18, in a match that will surely have huge ramifications in the battle for champions league qualification.
Thomas Tuchel’s side who disappointingly lost to Leicester City at Wembley over the weekend, were so superior in this match that it was a miracle Leicester City went into the second half with a clean sheet.
In front of their home fans only, Chelsea were at their most dangerous and had two goals ruled for offside and handball in the first half.
Thousands of Chelsea fans let their displeasure at Video assistant referee (VAR) known as several decisions went against them in the first half.
Werner was caught by Youri Tielemans in the box, but was penalised instead, and there was no VAR review into that.
Then Werner was clearly offside as he scored from Mason Mount’s first-time pass but VAR reviewed it.
Chelsea tried so hard but could just slot the ball into the net in the first half.
The first goal came in the 47th minute through another outstanding corner from Ben Chilwell.
It was whipped in by the English left back, onto the head of Cesar Azpilicueta, but it hit the thigh of Antonio Rudiger, a yard from goal.
The second goal by Chelsea which proved to be the eventual winner, came from a moment of rash defending by Wesley Fofana.
In the process of guarding Timo Werner away from a dangerous goal mouth action, he nicked the ball clipping Werner instead.
Referee, Mike Dean had no choice but to give a penalty and Jorginho simply and smartly finished in the bottom right corner.
Minutes later, Mateo Kovacic – on for the injured N’Golo Kante, was caught in possession by Wilfried Ndidi, who lassed to substitute and fellow Nigerian, Iheanacho whose left footed shot defeated Chelsea goal keeper, Edouard Mendy and hit the back of the net.
At 2-1, Leicester City started growing in confidence hoping the team could equalize.
A brawl then ensued between the players, substitutes and staff, increasing the tension of the match but after about three minutes it was quelled and the match continued.
Chelsea went on to win the match and are now third in the league standings with Leicester in fourth while Liverpool who will play Burnley next in fifth position with just two games of the season to play.
By Terry W.
A Russian woman allegedly killed her husband by “strangling him with her buttocks” after she sat on him during a row.
Tatyana O was charged with murder after she sat on her husband, Aidar, and refused to let go of him until he “begged forgiveness”, it is claimed.
The man’s daughter saw her father pinned face down on the bed and ran to seek help from neighbours in Novokuznetsk, Russia, according to evidence in the case.
A female neighbour came in but decided this was a domestic dispute which the couple would solve, it was reported.
Also, the neighbour didn’t get involved because Tatyana said she wanted to “calm him down” after they had been drinking.
Soon afterwards, it is alleged, Aidar died and Tatyana screamed, leading to the neighbour rushing back.
The neighbour called an ambulance but the husband was pronounced dead at the scene.
A later medical examination found that the man died from “asphyxia” – blocking the “respiratory system,” as his face was wedged into the mattress, with the woman sitting on his neck, “using her legs so he could not lift it”.
The wife “strangled husband to death with her buttocks after drinking too much alcohol”, reported Life.
At a first trial, a murder charge was dropped and Tatyana was convicted of causing death by negligence, it was reported.
She had no intention to kill him, the court heard.
She was sentenced to 18 months of corrective labour and ordered to pay around £2,000 in “moral damages”, reported Life.
But this week the Investigative Committee announced it is pressing for a new murder charge against the wife.
The woman had been angry “after drinking heavily” and “as soon as the man lay down on the bed, burying his face in the mattress, she sat on his neck, while holding his head with her legs so that he could not lift it.”
After he stopped showing signs of life, “the accused, frightened, shook him and shouted at him to wake him up”.
The murder suspect “weighs more than 100 kilograms”, said the investigative committee.
By Jide N.
Miss Universe 2021 winner, Andrea Meza, has been forced to deny she is married after “wedding pics” emerged that could strip her of the beauty title.
Miss Mexico, 26, beat 74 other contestants, to take the 2021 crown on Sunday, May 16. However, she is already embroiled in controversy.
Photos taken in 2019 show Andrea posing in a wedding gown and hugging a man in a suit.
The photos have been shared across social media and by Mexican publications, sparking controversy.
‘Wedding’ rumours started just hours after Andrea was crowned Miss Universe in Florida on Sunday night.
A major rule for the Miss Universe beauty contest is that contestants must be single.
The photos were shared by Andrea and Jorge Saenz in 2019 alongside romantic captions that read like wedding vows.
Jorge wrote in the captions: “I am immensely grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to meet her at this moment and to cross our path.
“Today a new stage in our lives begins and I am sure that sharing everything with you will make me the happiest person in the world.”
However, after Andrea was crowned Miss Universe, the romantic captions were deleted from the photos.
And Jorge has now clarified the situation, saying that he is not currently, and never has been Andrea’s husband.
Jorge, a Mexican model, explained that the pics were part of an advertising campaign, to highlight and show off the State of Chihuahua.
He said: “People, my photo with @andreamezamx is just a shooting for @ahchihuahua.
“Please stop with your messages and threats. That photo is from 2019, and it is not edited. It was just a joke. Check @achihuahua profile.”
In 2019, divorced mother Veronika Didusenko was stripped of her Miss Ukraine 2018 title. She was banned from competing at Miss World because she had been married at one point and had a five-year-old son.
Miss Universe rules were recently changed to allow divorcees to participate in the pageant.
By Jide N.
Super Eagles and Leicester City superstar, Kelechi Iheanacho made history on Tuesday night, May 18, as the first Premier League striker to score on all seven days of the week in a single season.
The in-form Nigerian striker was on target for Leicester City as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea to achieve the milestone.
Kelechi Iheanacho is the first player in PL history to score on all seven days of the week in the same season 🇳🇬👏 pic.twitter.com/znvKVP77L4
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 18, 2021
The 24-year-old now boasts 12 goals in 24 Premier League appearances so far in the 2020-21 season. Overall, he is Leicester’s highest goalscorer in all competitions with 19 goals.
By Jide N.
The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has dissolved his cabinet, sacking all of his 25 Commissioners, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff Government House, Senior Political Adviser, and others.
Disclosing this to newsmen, the immediate past Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the move was to give room for fresh blood to strengthen the administration’s agenda of a stronger Delta.
According to Aniagwu, those affected by the dissolution include the 25 Commissioners, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chiedu Ebie; Chief of Staff, David Edevbie; Senior Political Adviser, Funkekeme Solomon; Chief Strategist, Festus Agas and Special Advisers.
Aniagwu said the Governor thanked members of the dissolved cabinet for their contributions to the successes of his administration in the past six years including those who joined in the last two years. He said the Okowa has directed all the affected former political appointees to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective ministries.
By Jide N.
Tyson Fury will reportedly fight Deontay Wilder on July 24 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas with his heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua to be pushed back to December, according to promoter Bob Arum.
The Gypsy King was set to take on Anthony Joshua in their undisputed heavyweight title fight on August 14 in Saudi Arabia, but two days ago an arbitration case by Wilder ordered a trilogy between himself and Tyson Fury.
A judge ruled that Fury must go through with his contracted trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder by September 2021.
Recall Fury and Wilder signed a two-fight deal to meet again twice in 2020 after their first fight in 2018, which ended in a draw. The Brit defeated the American to take his WBC heavyweight title in February 2020 and Wilder then activated his clause to force a trilogy contest.
After delays pushed the fight back several times – including an injury to Wilder and pandemic issues, Fury’s team announced that they were moving on from the contest over claims the contract had expired.
The Americans reacted by activating the dispute resolution provision within the contract, taking the matter to legal arbitration.
The arbitrator presiding over the matter, judge Daniel Weinstein ruled in Wilder’s favour, and insisted that the pair must meet again by September 15.
It was later claimed that Deontay Wilder turned down Tyson Fury’s promoters’ offer for step aside money as a July 24 date has been set for their trilogy.
The figures reported for the deal went as £14million, but Wilder’s coach Malik Scott has claimed that the American is insisting on a third fight.
He said: “Wilder declined and had no interest in step aside money. Y’all are dealing with a different type of m********* here.
“He want the blood, not that step aside money. ‘Retribution is upon us’.”
Speaking to ESPN, promoter Bob Arum said: “We’re not paying Wilder to step aside. It’s better to get rid of him and go about our business. We can make the Fury-Joshua fight for November or December.”
Arum indicated that the bout will take place on July 24 at the new Las Vegas Raiders stadium, which can hold a capacity crowd of 62,000.
The news comes as a massive blow to British boxing fans, who were desperate to see Fury and Joshua do battle in all British heavyweight fights.
By Terry W.
Premier League side, Crystal Palace have confirmed that Roy Hodgson will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
The 73-year-old, who was brought in by Palace in 2017 to replace the struggles, Frank de Boer, as manager, says he feels the time is right to step away from ‘the rigours of top-flight Premier League football’ and bring to an end his ‘responsibilities of being a full-time manager.
His final match in charge will be against his former employers Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, May 23.
Commenting on his impending departure, Hodgson said: ‘After more than 45 years of coaching I have decided that the time is right for me to step away from the rigours of top-flight Premier League football, so our final two matches will be my last ones as manager of Crystal Palace.
‘It’s been a particularly rewarding period of my football life and career to have been able to spend these last four seasons with Palace.
‘I feel now that at the end of another successful season, in which we have secured our Premier League status, the moment is right for me to step down from my responsibilities of being a full-time manager.
‘I have had so much support from my wife and family throughout my career and I have been contemplating this decision for some time, and now I believe the time is right to consider them and to see what the future holds for me.
‘I have really enjoyed my time at Palace, I have been privileged to work with an outstanding group of professional and dedicated players, most of whom have been with me throughout the four years.
‘A manager is only as good as the players who perform on the pitch. I have been fortunate that those in my charge have certainly given me that and I thank them for it.
‘I am sure I speak for all the players, my coaching staff and backroom team, when I say I am proud of the work we have done together to retain our Premier League status during this time.’
Palace chairman Steve Parish quickly issued a statement of his own for Hodgson, labelling the veteran boss a ‘magnificent human.’
Parish wrote: ‘It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to work alongside Roy, who is both a magnificent human and an outstanding football manager.
‘I know how much it has meant to Roy managing the club he supported as a child, adding to his distinguished and unparalleled career in football management.
‘His record with us simply cannot be overstated, he is the only Palace manager to secure four years in the Premier League and he has helped give us stability in the most turbulent of times.
‘We will be forever grateful for his immense contribution and I am delighted that we will have the opportunity to show our appreciation at Selhurst Park after the Arsenal match, alongside 6,500 supporters.’
Hodgson started out as a manager in 1976 with Halmstads in Sweden, before going on to take charge of teams all over Europe and the Middle East.
1976–1980: Halmstad
1982: Bristol City
1982: Oddevold
1983–1984: Orebro
1985–1989: Malmo
1990–1992: Neuchatel Xamax
1992–1995: Switzerland
1995–1997: Inter Milan
1997–1998: Blackburn Rovers
1999: Inter Milan (caretaker)
1999–2000: Grasshoppers
2000–2001: Copenhagen
2001: Udinese
2002–2004: United Arab Emirates
2004–2005: Viking
2006–2007: Finland
2007–2010: Fulham
2010–2011: Liverpool
2011–2012: West Bromwich Albion
2012–2016: England
2017: Crystal Palace
Halmstads BK – Allsvenkan (1976) (1979)
Orebro SK – Division 2 Norra (1984)
Malmo – Allsvenskan (1985) (1986) (1987) (1988) (1989) Svenska Cupen (1986) (1989)
Neuchatel Xamax – Swiss Super Cup (1990)
Copenhagen – Danish Superliga (2001) Danish Super Cup (2001)
LMA Manager of the Year (2010)
Premier League Manager of the Month award (August 1997) (December 1997) (October 2009) (February 2010)
By Terry W
Real Madrid have been named the most valuable football club brand in the world for the third consecutive year.
According to the Football 50 2021 report, published by Brand Finance, Real Madrid are top of the football world and boasts a brand value of €1,276 million ahead of FC Barcelona (€1,266m), Manchester United (€1,130m), Manchester City (€1,118m) and Bayern Munich (€1,068m).
In the report, Brand Finance notes that Real Madrid “have consistently been able to secure Champions League qualification year after year. This consistent influx of Champions League revenues and status has played a central role in the club’s overall success”.
See 2021 most valuable football club brands ranking below.
By Terry W.
Travis Barker’s ex-wife, Shanna Moakler claims, he had an affair with Kim Kardashian while they were still married and she divorced him as a result, only for him to move on and date Kim’s sister, Kourtney Kardashian.
Model, Shanna, 46, who is now dating model and actor Matthew Rondeau on and off in recent months, claimed that her marriage with Travis ended in 2008 because he “cheated” with Kim Kardashian.
Shanna said in a message which appeared to be in response to an unknown Instagram user: “I divorced Travis because I caught him having an affair with Kim! Now he’s in love with her sister…It’s all gross…I’m not the bad guy!”
Shanna started the message by sharing insight into her on-off romance with Matthew Rondeau.
The message read in full: “Matthew has been my rock he truly has changed and has been amazing.. When we went life trip other night we were joking but lots of inside jokes I don’t think translated.
“I left Travis because he was emotionally abusive, I left the money snd mansions for a reason… family is all that matters but I can’t compete with kids whose father doesn’t encourage relationships with their own mother and purposely tries to alienate them away..
“Travis controls Bamas [their daughter] social media… however I get blamed for her sexualition! How does a father allow her to act like that and do lives at 4am? With Men twice her age..”
Going on to claim Travis “cheated” with Kim, she added: “I’ve been legally bullied out… I’m fed up and I’m Exhausted.. Social media and the media isn’t real… I divorced Travis because I caught him having an affair with Kim! Now he’s in love with her sister.. It’s all gross… I’m not the bad guy!”
A screenshot of the message was shared on social media by Travis and Shanna’s daughter, Alabama. Alabama then called her mother out for the claim and accused her of being an absentee mum.
Alabama (R) and her mother Shanna (Left)
Alabama wrote: “Everybody thinks my mother is amazing, Matthew is nothing but awful to her not only that but he cheats on her. My mom has never completely been in my life, can you guys stop painting her out to be an amazing mom.
“Did your mom ask to see you on Mother’s Day cause mine didn’t. I’m done keeping it a secret, reality shows.”
By Lucky B.
Cristiano Ronaldo has fulled speculation regarding a possible summer exit from Juventus, after having his seven supercars transported away from his luxury home in Turin, Italy.
Footage has emerged online of Ronaldo’s multi-million-pound vehicles being loaded onto a truck of a well-known Portuguese moving company headed to Lisbon, Portugal.
#CR7 trasloca le 7 supercar dal suo garage di Torino via Roclo Cargo, azienda trasporti di Lisbona 🏎️👀
Vuol dire tutto? Vuol dire niente? 🤔
(Video @persemprecalcio) pic.twitter.com/qX9moM93mr— Giacomo Scutiero (@SCUtweet) May 17, 2021
Italian publication, Tuttosport published the video posted online by Per Semper Calcio, in which a group of men could be seen loading the cars onto a Rodo Cargo haulage vehicle.
The operation was carried out at 3 o’clock in the morning away from prying eyes.
Usman U.
Former US President, Donald Trump has said ‘there is no way’ Joe Biden won the 2020 Presidential Election after a new poll claimed the majority of GOP voters do not consider the president to be the legitimate winner.
A CBS News poll published on Sunday, May 16, showed that 67 percent of self-described Republicans did not think that President Joe Biden won the election legitimately.
‘Breaking News! New polling by CBS News on the state of the Republican Party (which is very strong!),’ Trump wrote on his own website as he reacted to the outcome of the poll.
”President Trump has a strong hold on the GOP.” 80% of Republicans agree with the removal of Liz Cheney from GOP Leadership and only 20% disagree.
‘The poll also showed that 67% of Republicans said that they do not consider Sleepy Joe Biden to be the legitimate winner of the 2020 Presidential Election.
‘I agree with them 100%, just look at the facts and the data—there is no way he won the 2020 Presidential Election!’
Trump has made several false claims of electoral fraud in the November presidential election in which he lost out on a second term.
The CBS News survey was conducted by YouGov between May 12 and 14. It spoke to 951 ‘self-identified Republicans (including Republicans and Republican-leaners)’.
The sample was weighted to be representative of Republicans in the previous national polls, according to several factors including gender, race, and education.
The poll showed that voters considered it most vital that GOP officials and candidates propose important legislation.
Seventy-three percent of respondents considered that very important, compared to 37 percent who said it was very important for officials and candidates to support claims of 2020 election fraud.
Support for election fraud claims also fell behind agreement on economic policy and agreement on culture and values in terms of importance to voters.
CBS News conducted the poll following the ouster of Congresswoman Liz Cheney from her leadership post.
The Republican lawmaker, who is the daughter of ex-US Vice-President Dick Cheney, had held the third-ranking post in the House of Representatives since 2019.
She was voted out for clashing with members of her party over Trump’s false claims about election fraud and his actions on the day of the Capitol riot.
By Jide N.
Conor McGregor and his fiancee, Dee Devlin, have welcomed their child, a son called Rían.
The UFC champ McGregor, 32, took to Instagram to make the announcement of Monday afternoon, May 17, as he shared a snap of himself posing with his new bundle of joy.
Captioning the adorable snap, he wrote: ‘The McGregor Clan is now a family of 5 Healthy baby boy delivered! Baby and Mammy Wonder Woman are doing great!
‘God I thank you for everything you give to me and my family in this world. My new born son, Rían McGregor .’
The couple announced their engagement on August 8 after being in a relationship for 12 years. They have two other children, son Conor Junior, who turned four earlier this month, and daughter Croia, two.
By Jide N.
The Ijaw Youth Council has given the international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger Delta an ultimatum to vacate the region.
The council said the notice is in line with the 30 days ultimatum handed to the Federal Government to inaugurate a substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The commission had been managed by an interim management committee but currently has a sole administrator.
At a press briefing, the president of the IYC, Peter Igbifa, asked the oil companies to shut down operations willingly.
”We are not going to carry gun and chase anybody as Ijaw youths but we will stand on our right until our demand for substantive board is inaugurated in the NDDC.
In line with the ultimatum as the days are counting, we should have nine days remaining to go. All IOCs operating in our region should begin a peaceful and gentle evacuation of their personnel. It should be a very gentle and peaceful evacuation because we do not want anybody to take advantage of the shutdown.
We want them to take responsibility of their personnel, remove them gently. If you have IOCs that operate flow stations, take the remaining days and time and shutdown them down gently by yourself.
We are not coming to your flow station, shut them by yourself, we want you to shut the flames by yourself and vacate your personnel.
Within these days remaining in the ultimatum, you can take three to four days to shut down and evacuate.”he said
By Kingsley U.
The British Government has formally paid the £4,214,017.66 looted funds recovered from family members and associates of former Delta State Governor, James Ibori.
A statement released by Umar Gwandu, spokesperson of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said that as at May 10, the naira equivalent of the looted funds has been paid into an account designated for that purpose by the Federal Government.
“Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN signed Memorandum of Understanding for the repatriation of the Ibori loot on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The development, according to Malami, was a demonstration of the recognition of reputation Nigeria earns through records of management of recovered stolen Nigerian stolen in the execution of public oriented projects.”the statement in part read
Ibori was governor of Delta state from 1999-2007. On February 27th, 2012, Ibori pleaded guilty to 10 counts of money laundering, fraud, conspiracy to defraud, and other offenses in a London court. He also pleaded guilty to stealing over $250 million public funds while he was governor.
The former Governor of Delta state was released from a UK prison in December 2016 after completing his jail term.
bY Kingsley U.
UK royal, Prince Harry is reportedly “demanding” his wife Meghan Markle be an official part of the ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death or he will not show up according to new reports.
The Duke of Sussex is set to return to the UK on July 1 to unveil a statue in his mum’s honour in the grounds of Kensington Palace to mark the 20th anniversary of her tragic death and is reportedly pushing to have comments prepared by Meghan included in the event or a video message featuring his wife released.
Previous reports suggested Harry and his brother Prince William will unveil the statue of their mother together but the brothers have not been on the best of terms following Harry and wife Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview with US chat show host Oprah Winfrey.
Now according to website, Radar, Harry is demanding his wife be made a part of the ceremony to unveil the statue of his late mother.
A source reportedly told the site: “Harry is demanding the Meghan be part of the official ceremony.
“She will not be able to attend in person because of the couple’s second child, but Harry is pushing to have comments prepared by Meghan included in the event or a video message featuring his wife released to the media the same day the brothers unveil the statue.”
The report adds that Harry may not come over to the UK for the event after the “cold shoulder” he received after coming over for his grandfather Prince Philip’s funeral.
“It is very possible that Harry does not return to the UK for the event,” insiders said.
“The cold shoulder Harry received at Prince Philip’s funeral is not helping. Harry was rattled not only by his family’s reaction but also by the negative media coverage he received during his short stay.
“Now he may bow out of the upcoming trip altogether.”
In 2017 when William and Harry announced they were commissioning the statue, the brothers said in a joint statement that they “hope that the statue will help those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and legacy.”
Announcing the new statue, a joint statement from Harry and William said: “It has been 20 years since our mother’s death and the time is right to recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue.
“Our mother touched so many lives. We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy.”
Meghan and Harry officially stepped back from their roles as senior royals on March 31 last year, moving first to Canada and later Los Angeles .
By Lucky B.
Real Madrid playmaker, Toni Kroos will miss will his club’s final game of the season after testing positive for Coronavirus.
Real will face Villarreal on Saturday to close out the campaign and must win, hoping Atletico Madrid loses away at Valladolid for them to be crowned champions of La Liga.
Kroos, who has been one of Zinedine Zidane’s most important players this season, got infected with the virus after coming into direct contact with someone who had coronavirus.
“Real Madrid announce that our player, Toni Kroos, tested positive in the COVID-19 test he underwent today,’ a club statement said
‘”Kroos has been in isolation since Friday, May 14, after having come into direct contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.”
“There is no suggestion that he is suffering from serious symptoms.”
By Kingsley U.
British supermodel, Naomi Campbell is now a proud mother.
The 50-year old took to her Instagram page on Tuesday afternoon, May 18, to announced the birth of her newborn daughter.
Sharing an adorable photo of herself clutching her daughter’s tiny feet in her hands, the proud mom wrote: ” A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother, So honoured to have this gentle soul in my life there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you my angel. There is no greater love.”
Naomi has yet to reveal her baby girl’s name and the identity of her child’s father.
By Kingsley U.
Boxer, Deontay Wilder could be in for a £5.65million pay day from Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury after a US court ruled in his favour.
Fury and Wilder were meant to fight last summer for the third time as stipulated in their contract but Coronavirus restrictions plus Wilder’s claim of injury stopped the match from going through.
After Fury began negotiations to fight Joshua, Wilder came back asking that his fight contract with Fury be respected and carried out but Fury rejected his proposal saying the contract timing has already expired.
Now a court has ruled that the trilogy fight clause in the Deontay’s contract with the Gypsy King must be honoured by September 15.
The decision will be a major problem for Fury and Joshua who have a 200 million dollars fight scheduled in Saudi Arabia this August.
However, sport lawyers and analysts now believe that Fury and Joshua will have to pay off Wilder if they want their match to go ahead.
According to Gareth A Davies, a popular boxing journalist, a deal including £5.65m and an agreement to fight at a later date may have to be thrashed out.
“It is a civil case so I think they can still sign the fight between Fury and Joshua.
“Wilder may get potentially $5m to $8m (£3.5m to £5.65m) and perhaps even an agreement to fight going forward.”
Fury, 32, thrashed Wilder in their February 2020 rematch, following a controversial draw in their first bout, and were due to fight for a third time.
Speaking in May of last year, Fury claimed he would rather fight Wilder again than pay him a penny to stand aside.
He told iFL TV: “Wilder’s got a rematch clause.
“Some newspaper reported that he wanted £10m to step aside.
“I’m not paying him no money to step aside, I’d rather take his scalp again.
“I’ll beat him in the ring and that’s how I’ll get him out the way, I wouldn’t pay him £2m to step aside – I’d rather give him another battering, hopefully the end of [2020].”
By Jide N.
Superstar footballer, Neymar’s mansion in France was reportedly broken into before the Paris Saint-Germain star played and scored in a 4-0 thrashing of Reims on Sunday, May 16.
The Brazilian scored the opening goal in the match as PSG took the title race to the last day of the season with Lille favourites to be crowned champions if they win their last game.
PSG is one point behind top-of-the-table Lille, with one game to go.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, a man managed to scale a perimeter wall and came ‘within metres’ of the front door.
It’s been reported that the intruder was ‘clutching bibles’ and ‘spreading the word of God’ at the property in La Celle-Saint-Cloud.
Neymar’s security team responded to the incident and raised the alarm, and police arrested the man a couple of miles away in a neighbouring town of Bougival.
The footballer’s property is in La Celle-Saint-Cloud, around 1.8miles from where the intruder was detained.
Usman U.
A coronavirus patient who was declared dead by paramedics woke up just moments before she was set to be cremated.
Shakuntala Gaikwad, 78, from Baramati in Mudhale, India, tested positive for Covid at the beginning of May and isolated at her home while recovering from the virus.
At some point, she started to develop severe symptoms and her family called an ambulance to take her to the hospital.
While they struggled to find her a bed in the crowded clinic, she fell unconscious in the ambulance.
Ambulance staff reportedly declared the woman dead and her devastated family spread the tragic news of her passing.
Ms Gaikwad was then taken back to her village where the family began preparing for her cremation and last rites.
However, moments before she was set to be put into the fire, she opened her eyes and began to cry.
She was immediately moved to the Silver Jubilee Hospital in Baramati for further medical treatment, VN Express reports.
Indian remains in the grips of a deadly wave of coronavirus. There have been nonstop mass cremations going on in India amid record-breaking COVID-19 surge.
By Jide N.
The world title fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury fight is under serious threat as Deontay Wilder has won his legal case for a trilogy bout against the ‘Gypsy King’.
The two British heavyweight champions were all set to meet in an undisputed showdown on August 14 in Saudi Arabia, however, the bout may not happen.
A judge ruled that Fury must go through with his contracted trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder by September 2021.
Recall Fury and Wilder signed a two-fight deal to meet again twice in 2020 after their first fight in 2018, which ended in a draw.
The Brit defeated the American to take his WBC heavyweight title in February 2020 and Wilder then activated his clause to force a trilogy contest.
After delays pushed the fight back several times – including an injury to Wilder and pandemic issues, Fury’s team announced that they were moving on from the contest over claims the contract had expired.
The Americans reacted by activating the dispute resolution provision within the contract, taking the matter to legal arbitration.
According to ESPN’s Mark Kriegel, the arbitrator presiding over the matter, retired judge Daniel Weinstein has now ruled in Wilder’s favour.
It’s claimed he set a deadline, insisting the pair must meet again by September 15.
By Jide N.
In a bid to warn others against crimes, Cheshire Police displayed digitally aged images of gangster twins to show the public how old they’ll look when they finish their jail sentences.
Authorities toured the giant billboard around Warrington over the weekend showing the pictures of siblings Leon and Anthony Cullen, 33, in a bid to show the risks of crime.
They hope the digitally aged images of the gang bosses, who have been jailed for a combined total of 50 years, will serve as a warning to others.
Leon and Anthony are behind bars serving 22 years and 27 years respectively after leading notorious firearms and cocaine gang, which was the biggest ever uncovered in Cheshire.
Cheshire Police’s Det Chief Insp Mike Evans said they hope the ‘aged’ images will make others ask if crime ‘really worth it’, rather than having young people ‘look up to them’.
He continued: ‘People may think it’s a quick and easy way to earn money to lead a lavish lifestyle but that is far from the reality.
‘The consequences of being involved in the supply of drugs and firearms are worlds away from that.
‘Instead you become embroiled in violence and debt and are constantly looking over your shoulder.
‘Leon and Anthony will leave prison a lot older, they will miss out on being around their family.
‘They will be under constant watch by the authorities when released and always paying back what they profited. Young men will at one time have looked up to them.
‘But now we want them to look at them in a different light and see the true reality of where organised crime takes you. Is it really worth it?’
Authorities discovered the twins had a front business, called Future Press Ltd, to launder drug profits, and used violence to intimidate those they believed had crossed them, as well as to enforce debts.
Detectives believe that more than 50kg of cocaine was supplied by the gang across Cheshire, North Wales, and the North East between June 2016 and January 2018.
Officers seized £205,680 cash and more than two kilos of cocaine during a series of strikes as part of an 18-month covert investigation, Operation Samurai.
In 2017, the brothers also started supplying an arsenal of weapons – boasting an AK47 machine gun, a pump-action shotgun, automatic pistols, and revolvers.
The Cullens’ operation saw the brothers and their associates – Chris Houghton, Sean Ryan, Jason Eastern and Michael Mason using firearms to protect themselves and intimidate others.
At least one of their firearms was previously used in a shooting in Liverpool back in August 2015.
Leon, of Orford, Warrington, fled the UK in January 2018 after detectives laid bare the brothers’ criminal enterprise.
He was detained on an international arrest warrant in Dubai in January 2020 after detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit uncovered his false identity.
He was extradited from the United Arab Emirates and brought back to Cheshire in February 2021.
Meanwhile, his twin brother Anthony was arrested in January 2018 along with 19 of his and Leon’s associates.
In January 2019, all 20 of the gang, without on-the-run Leon, were jailed for a total of 185 years – 27 of which were given to Anthony Cullen.
Det Chief Insp Evans added: ‘The Cullen brothers have been a driving force for organised crime in Warrington for many years.
‘However there was only one way they were headed and that was always going to be behind bars serving significant sentences.’
By Jide N.
A Nigerian man identified as Abidemi Rufai, has been arrested in the United States of America in connection with a $350, 000 COVID19 unemployment benefits fraud. Rufai is one of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state.
According to a statement released by the United States Department of Justice, Abidemi Rufai, was arrested at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport last Friday, May 14, by federal agents as he allegedly attempted to leave the country. He appeared in a US Federal court on Saturday, May 15, on charges that he used the identities of more than 100 Washington residents to steal more than $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department during the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
“Since the first fraud reports to our office in April 2020, we have worked diligently with a federal law enforcement team to track down the criminals who stole funds designated for pandemic relief. This is the first, but will not be the last, significant arrest in our ongoing investigation of ESD fraud.”Tessa Gorman, acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington said
The United States Department of Justice in its statement said the criminal complaint alleges that Rufai used the stolen identities of more than 100 Washington residents to file fraudulent claims with ESD for pandemic-related unemployment benefits and was able to collect the proceeds using the accounts of his relatives in New York and Jamaica.
”Rufai also filed fraudulent unemployment claims in Hawaii, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania. Rufai used variations of a single e-mail address in a manner intended to evade automatic detection by fraud systems. By using this practice, Rufai made it appear that each claim was connected with a different email account.
Rufai caused the fraud proceeds to be paid out to online payment accounts such as ‘Green Dot’ accounts, or wired to bank accounts controlled by “money mules.”
Some of the proceeds were then mailed to the Jamaica, New York address of Rufai’s relative. Law enforcement determined more than $288,000 was deposited into an American bank account controlled by Rufai between March and August 2020.” the statement in part read
Investigators said Rufai used small variations in email addresses in a Gmail account, which made it appear like he was multiple people, to slip through fraud detection at ESD. He primarily uses the address [email protected] but would scatter periods in variations like [email protected] and [email protected]. Investigators said Gmail addresses do not recognize periods, so anything sent to the different addresses went straight to Rufai’s inbox.
In January, a federal judge issued a warrant to Gmail, allowing investigators to search his Gmail account. Rufai however let down his guard by linking his Nigerian phone number to the account.
Commenting on his arrest, Donald Voiret, Special Agent in Charge FBI Seattle, said
”Greed is a powerful motivator. Unfortunately, the greed alleged to this defendant affects all taxpayers. The FBI and our partners will not stand idly by while individuals attempt to defraud programs meant to assist American workers and families suffering the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Wire fraud is punishable by up to thirty years in prison when it relates to benefits paid in connection with a presidentially declared disaster or emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rufai made his initial appearance on Saturday, May 15 in New York. He is scheduled for a detention hearing Wednesday, May 19.
By Jide N;
President Buhari this afternoon arrived at the Grand Palais Éphémère to participate in the Plenary Session of the African Finance Summit in Paris, France.
He was received by the French president, Emmanuel Macron.
See more photos below
By Jide N.
Tottenham striker, Harry Kane has reportedly told the club that he wants to leave this summer.
According to Sky Sports, the reason is said to be the fact that Spurs aren’t competing for titles.
The 27-year-old England international has spent his entire professional career at Tottenham but has yet to lift a trophy. The closest he has come is losing a Champions League final against Liverpool in 2018–19 and two League Cup finals in the last six years, including last month’s loss to Manchester City.
Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea have all reportedly been in contact with Kane’s representatives with Sky Sports reporting that Kane prefers to remain in England and have his future sorted out before this summer’s European Championship.
Kane was recently named as the Premier League Player of the Year at the 2021 London Football Awards, but expressed his desire to win ‘team trophies’ rather than individual accolades.
“When I look back at the end of my career, these are all the things I’ll go over and take in a little bit more, but the goal right now as a player is to win team trophies,” he said.
“As much as this is great, I want to be winning the biggest team prizes. We’re not quite doing that. It’s bittersweet, but it is what it is. I’m proud to win [Premier League Player of the Year], it’s been a good season on the pitch.”
Last year, Kane made clear his desire to win trophies, telling Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp that he would leave Spurs if he felt that wouldn’t be possible.
“I love Spurs; I’ll always love Spurs,” Kane told Sky Sports. “But it’s one of those things; I’ve always said if I don’t feel we’re progressing as a team or going in the right direction, then I’m not someone to just stay there for the sake of it.”
By Terry W.
Mason Mount has been announced as Chelsea’s Player of the Year for the 2020/21 campaign by the fans.
The 22-year-old England international was confirmed as the winner of the Player of the Year award on Tuesday morning, May 18, making him the first Chelsea academy graduate to win the award since John Terry in 2006.
Congratulations, @MasonMount_10!
A worthy winner of the 2020/21 Men’s Player of the Year! 👏 pic.twitter.com/YtDTGhEglF
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 18, 2021
Mount has already reached 100 senior appearances for the club in less than two seasons at the club, an incredible achievement for an academy graduate.
The attacking/central midfielder has bagged nine goals and eight assists this term in all competitions and his season could be completed with European success if they defeat Manchester City in the Champions League final and secure a top-four finish.
By Terry W.
Miss Mexico, Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe 2021 on Sunday, May 16, after more than a year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 26-year-old model-software engineer was crowned by 2019 title holder Zozibini Tunzi at the Miss Universe competition was finally held on May 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.
Meza finished first ahead of the Brazilian and Peruvian finalists in a flashy televised event, hosted by American actor Mario Lopez and television personality Olivia Culpo.
For the grand finale, Andrea dazzled in a flaming red-fringed gown designed by Ivis Lenin to accept the honor onstage Florida’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.
During the final statement round, Miss Mexico was asked to address the topic of changing beauty standards. “We live in a society that more and more is more advanced and as we have advanced as a society, we have advanced with stereotypes,” she shared via translator. “Nowadays, beauty is not only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirits, but in our hearts and the way we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you are not valuable.”
And just minutes before, Miss Mexico also faced the final question round where she was asked to share how she would have handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I believe there is not a perfect way to handle this hard situation such as COVID-19,” she explained. “However, I believe that what I would have done was create the lockdown even before everything was that big because we lost so many lives and we cannot afford that. We have to take care of our people. That’s why I would have taken care of them since the beginning.”
Meza is reportedly the third Mexican woman to ever win the crown after Lupita Jones and Ximena Navarrete.
By Hajia R.
Data from Israeli authorities and the Palestinian Health Ministry have revealed that Israel bombed the house of Hamas’ Gaza leader and obliterated a family’s home in Gaza as Hamas launched more than 100 rockets toward Israel on Sunday May 16, marking the deadliest day of the week-long conflict so far.
Two Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 43 Palestinians — including eight children — and injured 50 others, most of whom were women and children early Sunday, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. With the latest casualties, the death toll in Gaza has climbed to a total of 197, including at least 58 children and 34 women, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Since the beginning of the airstrikes on Gaza this week, at least 1,225 have been injured, with the number expected to rise, as paramedics continue to carry out search operations.
Israel’s military, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had bombed the house of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ leader since 2017, in southern Gaza’s Khan Yunis neighborhood early Sunday morning although the Israeli military later told local media that Sinwar had been unhurt in the airstrike.
Shocking photos of rescue operations by Palestinian medical and civil defense teams show a young girl with a bloodied head injury lifted from the wreckage by a team of paramedics.
The rescuers say they rescued five children from the bomb rubble on Sunday morning.
The IDF said in a Twitter post on Sunday that Hamas’ militant wing had fired 120 rockets between 7 p.m Saturday and 7 a.m. local time Sunday, of which 11 fell in Gaza. IDF spokesperson Zilberman added Sunday that they had targeted dozens of rocket launchers, with the ability to fire multiple rockets at a time.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz in his own tweet said that “Israel has no interest in escalation, but is ready for any scenario,”
While the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he will do “whatever it takes to restore order,” and that “it will take some time.”
Previously on Saturday, Netanyahu said it will “respond forcefully” in Gaza “until the security of our people is reinstated and restored,” and said the country is trying to avoid civilian casualties from its strikes.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday also released photos allegedly showing Hamas rocket installations and tunnel entrances placed in close proximity to civilian infrastructure like hospitals and schools, claiming that “Hamas deliberately and systematically places military targets within the civilian population, exposing their citizens to danger.”
The recent conflict began at the start of last week, after Israel ordered evictions of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem and restrictions at a popular meeting point near the Old City resulting in Hamas warning Israel to not go ahead with evicting the Palestinians from the neighborhood or face attacks.
Hamas then fired thousands of rockets towards Israel most of which were intercepted by Israel’s solid Iron Dome missile interceptors.
Israel retaliated, and the back and forth attacks have since escalated rapidly into one of the worst rounds of violence the area has seen since the 2014 Gaza War, which saw more than 2,200 Gazans killed during the fighting, approximately half of them civilians, including more than 550 children, according to a United Nations report.
Early Saturday May 16, a 5-month-old baby named Omar was the lone survivor in a house that was hit and destroyed in an Israeli airstrike hit in the al-Shati refugee camp, killing 10 members of the his family — including eight children, according to the infant’s father Mohammad Hadidi. At least 20 other Palestinians were wounded after several nearby houses were damaged in the Israeli airstrike, the Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported.
Also on Sunday, six Israeli Border Police officers were injured in Sheikh Jarrah after a car “hit and ran over” officers stationed at a police checkpoint, a police spokesperson said. The driver, a 42-year-old male, was “shot and killed,” according to Israeli emergency services.
While not claiming responsibility for the attack, Hamas’ military wing described the incident as a “heroic run-over operation” which they say was carried out by a young Palestinian man.
In a statement, UN Secretary General António Guterres said he was “dismayed” by the rising number of civilian casualties.
“The Secretary-General reminds all sides that any indiscriminate targeting of civilian and media structures violates international law and must be avoided at all costs,” the statement said.
The US has blocked previous UN Security Council efforts to meet, preferring direct diplomacy on the conflict rather than discussion in an international forum.
By Kingsley U.
David Oyedepo, the General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide has revealed what his action would be if the country is engulfed in crisis.
In a message to his church members, Oyedepo stated that he will be the last to leave the country if there is a crisis.
He said;
“If there is crisis in this Nation, I will be the last to leave here.”
Admitting that things are going wrong in the country, the cleric further averred that nobody could enjoy and sustain the flow of favour without the fear of God as a lifestyle.
Oyedepo added;
“Don’t rob nobody, don’t cheat on anyone. Don’t outsmart your business partners. Don’t swear falsely. Don’t take bribes. Favour is the companion of all that fear God and favour shall be your companion from now.
“Flowing in favour demands the doing of righteousness. You know there is the appropriation of righteousness that people emphasize today, but don’t be deceived, he that doeth righteousness is righteous. The doing righteousness: favour!
“There was an explosion of favour, until the time that his Word came. The Word of the Lord tried him.”
This is coming days after Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock, adviced members of his church to plan an escape route out of Nigeria. Read here
B y Lucky B.
Rapper, J. Cole, says he is no longer trying to compete with his colleagues.
Fresh off the release of his new album, The Off-Season, the rapper paid a visit to “The ETCs” podcast with Kevin Durant and Eddie Gonzalez, where he reflected on his career and relationship with fellow rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar, which he says has evolved over time.
According to the Grammy Award winning rapper, he has learned to value friendship over competitiveness.
“These are the guys that push you, and you gotta push them,” said Cole.
“I was so competitive early on that, like, even though we were all friends, I’ve never been a reach out, I’ve never been that person, especially when it’s competition involved. It’s almost like working out together.”
“I guess in the NBA in the past that was unheard of. Like, ‘Why would I work out with this ni**a? I’m trying to destroy this ni**a.’ That was kind of my mentality early on,” he said.
“But as I’ve gotten older, I realize that no one is truly my peer or can relate to what I’m going through in life more than these people right here–just in terms of whatever pressures there might be… Nobody can really relate to that like these dudes, and I really genuinely f**k with these dudes.”
“I’ve been absolutely trying to make an effort as time goes on, to strip the competition from me,” he said. “I’m more interested in the relationship ’cause I also see a time when I’m not doing this. That seems very realistic to me.”
Cole added; “I’m more interested in the genuine relationship. Before I was interested in the competition. Before I was just interested in putting pressure or responding to pressure… It’s just less competition in my mind ’cause ni**as is old, bro.”
However, Cole says he has always had respect for his peers.
“It was always a respect thing. Now it’s just more of a wisdom thing where it’s like, ‘Yo, you can never have it all.’”
“Michael Jordan will never be universally hailed as the greatest player of all time–and that’s insane. And LeBron James will never be universally hailed as the greatest player of all time–and that’s insane. You’ll never have it, so it comes with age to realize that like, ‘Yo, what are you even worried about?’ ‘Cause you’re just setting yourself up for suffering.”
Cole then opened up about fulfilling his professional basketball dreams as the Fayetteville rapper made his debut playing for the Rwanda Patriots BBC in the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League on Sunday, May 16.
By Jide N.
Manchester United star, Marcus Rashford has reportedly split from his girlfriend after eight years of dating.
The footballer, 23, and Lucia Loi, also 23, are thought to have called it quits earlier this year, according to The Sun.
Sources say the pair broke up amid lockdown pressures but still have a “mutual love and respect”.
Anti-child poverty campaigner Marcus is said to be devastated following his split from PR executive Lucia, who has since moved out of the Manchester United forward’s plush pad.
However, one source told the publication that despite them ending things, for now, there’s still hope that the school sweethearts might ‘reconcile’ after some time apart.
A source close to the football hero said: “After eight years together, Marcus and Lucia have made the mutual decision to part ways.
“It is a result of the pressures and strains of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns, and the confinement that has brought with it over the last 12 months.
“There is a strong mutual love and respect for one another, having met at school, and there is a continued dialogue with the hope of a reconciliation in the future.”
The former couple first fell for each other at Ashton on Mersey School in Sale, Greater Manchester. She was with him as he made his name with Manchester United and England.
By Francisca C.
Actor/Singer Nick Jonas has reportedly been hospitalised after suffering an injury while on set of a new show he was shooting for.
TMZ reported that the incident occurred on Saturday evening. While the nature of his injury or its severity is not known, it was learnt he was taken to a nearby hospital in an ambulance.
Insiders also told the publication that as of Sunday night, Nick came back home and will resume shoot for his singing reality show, The Voice, on Monday May 17.
The 28-year-old actor/singer suffered a hand injury back in 2018 during a post-show workout in Mexico.
By Lukcy B.
Trevor Noah and Minka Kelly have officially called it quits on their relationship after dating for less than one year.
A source told People on Sunday that the “Daily Show” host, 37, and the “Friday Night Lights” actress, 40, parted ways after first being linked last August.
The pair first sparked romance rumors in August, but neither ever publicly confirmed their relationship even though it was said that they were ‘very serious.’
Trevor Noah and Minka Kelly were first seen together in September where they got out of an SUV in New York City and entered Noah’s apartment.
In January, Noah reportedly bought a six-bedroom home for the couple despite his previous declaration that he’d never live with a girlfriend.
A source told People at the time of the purchase, “They’re making plans for a future together, and it’s a very stable relationship. They’ve been spending time between coasts over the last year and had been looking for a place in LA as a couple.”
Kelly’s past boyfriends include Jesse Williams, Derek Jeter, Chris Evans, and Wilmer Valderrama.
Prior to his romance with Kelly, Noah was linked to real estate agent Jordyn Taylor from 2015 to 2018.
By Jide N.
Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, has become the first Nigerian and African female player to win the UEFA Womens Champions league after helping Barcelona defeat Chelsea in the final on Sunday night, May 16.
Oshoala, 26, was introduced in the 71st minute as Barcelona defeated Chelsea in the final of the 2020-21 edition.
Lluis Cortes’ women had taken a first-minute lead at the Gamla Ullevi after Melanie Leupolz turned the ball into her own net.
Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmati and Caroline Graham Hansen also fired past goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to end Chelsea coach Emma Hayes’ dreams.
Barcelona, wanting more goals, then introduced Oshoala for Spanish midfielder Jennifer Hermoso in the 71st minute .
Oshoala scored a fifth goal in the closing stages of the game, but it was ruled offside.
Before the game in Gothenburg, the four-time African Women’s Player of the Year claimed that Barca had learned from their final defeat to Lyon in 2019.
“Now, we have the experience of how European football is and also how a top game like this is played,” she told the media.
“I think we’re going to be better with our tactics this year, how we go out and play and everything.
“For us, it was good. We played in the final 2019, we lost and then we picked up corrections from there.
“Come May 16, against Chelsea, I don’t think we’re going to make the same mistakes again, because we already learned from the past. We are a better team now than we were two years ago.”.
By Terry W.
Senator Rochas Okorocha, representing Imo West Senatorial District, has said he became poorer after spending eight years as governor of Imo state.
Okorocha said this when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, May 16. According to the former governor, people seem to have forgotten so easily that he was a successful person before becoming governor in 2011.
Okorocha also dared anyone to come forth with evidence that he is corrupt and mismanaged Imo State funds while in office.
“I challenge anybody to prove that I acquired any property with any government fund. I think people have forgotten that I was Rochas before becoming the governor of Imo State; I think they have forgotten completely.
If anything, becoming a governor made me even poorer than what I was in the past. I don’t know whether I acquired any property here in Abuja, there is none.”
The lawmaker said the hotel linked to him belongs to his wife which is also a source for their foundation. Okorocha wondered how he could have stolen the “meager” monthly allocation the State receives from the Federal Government.
Speaking about his ordeal after he was called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the ex-governor said he was invited by the commission based on a report written by others.
“The invitation was based on a statement made by other people, but I said to them that I have not come to honour your invitation because the matter was already in court and once a matter is in court, we cannot talk about it.
Imo state government has taken me to court on the same subject matter, and we are at the Federal High Court in Abuja, so I told EFCC I cannot be called, so I was arrested, and I made my statement” he said
Okorocha also said he doesn’t see EFCC as a witch-hunting agency, but they acted on a report or petition written on people by others.
By Jide N.
An 18-year-old auxiliary nurse, Rachael David, who was recently abducted by suspected ritualists in Rivers state, has shared the chilling story of how she and some other victims were taken to a place she suspects to be a ritualist den but she was rejected thrice by the suspected ritualists.
In an interview with Punch, Racheal said she had gone to Okuru Junction, Port Harcourt, the state capital to buy something on Thursday, May 13, by 7am when she met a motorist who signaled to her, asking for direction to Bitter Leave Junction. She said while she was trying to describe the place to the man, she got hypnotized and abducted.
“I went to get something at Okuru Junction that Thursday morning before going to work. I didn’t get what I went to buy. While I was returning home, a driver blew the car horn to call my attention and I stopped.
A lady was at the back of the car. He asked me if I know any place called Bitter Leave Junction and I said yes. As I was trying to direct him, he said he couldn’t hear me clearly and told me to come closer.
He touched me and I didn’t know if I entered the car or not. By the time I regained consciousness, I was already in an unknown place. They had blindfolded me and tied my hands. I couldn’t tell the time of the day.” she said
She said she was taken to three different places suspected to be homes of ritual killers but they kept rejecting her.
“I was still rejected. After some hours, they took me and some victims somewhere blindfolded. One man asked them why they kept bringing me and told them to return me to where they picked me as fast as possible.
“Even though I couldn’t see what was going on in that place, it appears like a ritual killers’ den. I was the only person they rejected. I was rejected thrice. While I was in captivity, new victims were brought in. The abductors put me in the car and drove off. When we got to a spot along the road, they stopped, removed the blindfold and pushed me out of the car.”she said
Rachel said she managed to untie himself and later found out from passersby that she was at Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt.
“The kidnappers didn’t take away my phone so I quickly called my mum. I had fainted before they came. It was this morning (Saturday) when I woke up that I realised I am in the hospital” she said
Rachel’s older sister, Joy, said the family is grateful for her safe return.
By Jide N.
