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Manchester United may win the Premier League title – Ole Gunnar Solkajaer

With an opportunity for Manchester United to go top of the English Premier League Table, if they beat Burnley on Tuesday, January 12, Head coach, Ole Gunnar Solkajaer has finally admitted the club are premier league title contenders.

It will be the first time, United will be top of the table and seen as serious title contenders since 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson retired from the club, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned Manchester United’s recent good run of league form could count for nothing unless they kick on and build momentum in a big week.


United sit level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table and could go into next weekend’s crunch clash with Jurgen Klopp’s side as league leaders if they win their game against Burnley on Tuesday night.

For the first time, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer discusses the possibility of Manchester United winning the Premier League title


Solkajaer believes it’s too early to get carried away.


“We’re not even halfway through the season and every game in the Premier League is a challenge, they’re tests,” Solskjaer said. 


“Every game is a different test. Watford, they gave us a test, Burnley is a test, Liverpool is another, then you go to Fulham which is a different test again. 


“No-one will remember how the league table looked like on 12 January 2021. We have good momentum, started well again after the disappointment of [losing to Manchester] City, bounced back really well with a win [against Watford] and of course we want to build momentum again.


“If we can get a win on Tuesday then that’s two games on the bounce and we can go into the next game confident. Every game in the Premier League is a chance to build more confidence.”

United could be without Victor Lindelof, Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly who are all unfit.

“I hope [they’ll be ready] for Liverpool, definitely, but I’m not sure if they’ll make the Burnley one,” Solskjaer said when asked for an update on their condition.


 “It’s light training on Sunday then we’ll see on Monday.”

By Jide N.

Pope Francis makes a “doctrinal development” so women can read at Mass

Pope Francis supports gay couples

Pope Francis has changed Catholic Church law so that women can act as readers and altar servers in liturgical celebrations, while reaffirming they cannot be priests.

In an unexpected apostolic letter published Jan. 11, the pontiff says he is making the change to recognize a “doctrinal development” that has occurred in recent years.

That change, the pope says, “shines a light on how some ministries instituted by the church have as their foundation that common condition of baptism and the royal priesthood received in the Sacrament of Baptism.”

Francis’ new letter, titled Spiritus Domini and issued ‘motu proprio,’ changes the Code of Canon Law to explicitly allow women to be installed in the Catholic Church as lectors and acolytes.

Lectors are ministers who proclaim readings at Mass and other liturgical celebrations, while Acolytes or Altar servers are ministers who typically assist priests in preparing the altar during the Mass or in distributing communion. 

Before now, women in some Catholic churches already serve as readers and altar servers, the church’s canon law had technically only allowed for their service on a temporary basis.

The pope’s change, which replaces “lay men” as the category of those who can formally serve in the ministries with “lay persons,” would appear to require all global Catholic bishops to accept women into those roles.

The Jan. 11 letter was published alongside a letter from the pope to Cardinal Luis Ladaria, the prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. 

In that letter, Francis again mentions John Paul II’s ban against ordaining women to the priesthood but adds that “for non-ordained ministries it is possible, and today appears opportune, to go beyond that reservation.”

Francis tells Ladaria that offering both men and women the opportunity to serve as lectors and acolytes “will increase the recognition … of the precious contribution that many lay people, including women, offer to the life and mission of the church.”

“The choice to confer these offices to women … will make more real in the church everyone’s participation in the work of evangelization,” the pope continues.

Francis tells Ladaria that it will be the role of national bishops’ conferences to consider possible criteria for who in their communities could serve as lectors and acolytes, and says he is also directing the Vatican’s worship congregation to update its norms about the two ministries to reflect the change to canon law. 

By Jide N.

Adnan Oktar, 64,Turkish Religious Cult Leader, jailed for 1,075 years for sex crimes

A court in Istanbul on Monday January 11, handed Adnan Oktar, the head of a cult considered a criminal organization by prosecutors, hefty prison terms for 10 separate crimes.

The 64-year-old Oktar and dozens of his followers were arrested simultaneously during nationwide raids in 2018. 

Oktar, whose online A9 television channel began broadcasting in 2011, preached conservative views while women he called his “kittens, “many of whom appeared to have had plastic surgery danced around him in the TV studio.

He was sentenced to 1,075 years for crimes including sexual assault, sexual abuse of minors, fraud, and attempted political and military espionage, the private NTV broadcaster reported. 

Turkish religious cult leader, Adnan Oktar, 64, jailed for 1,075 years for sex crimes

Some 236 suspects have been on trial in the case, 78 of whom are under arrest, according to the official Anadolu news agency.

Oktar told the presiding judge back in December that he had close to 1,000 girlfriends. 

“There is an overflowing of love in my heart for women. Love is a human quality. It is a quality of a Muslim,” he said in another hearing in October 2020.

He added on another occasion: “I am extraordinarily potent.”

Oktar first came to public attention in the 1990s when he was the leader of a sect that was caught up in multiple sex scandals.

One of the women at his trial, identified only as CC, told the court that Oktar had repeatedly sexually abused her and other women.

Some of the women he had raped were forced to take contraceptive pills, CC told the court.

Turkish religious cult leader, Adnan Oktar, 64, jailed for 1,075 years for sex crimes

Asked about 69,000 contraception pills found in his home by the police, Oktar said they were used to treat skin disorders and menstrual irregularities.

He also dismissed any link to a group led by US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkish authorities accuse of orchestrating a coup attempt in 2016.

Oktar is a creationist who rejects the Darwinian theory of evolution and has written a 770-page book called “The Atlas of Creation” under the pen name, Harun Yahya.

By Kingsley U.

Kazuyoshi Miura, 53, World’s Oldest Professional footballer, signs new contract

The oldest goalscorer in Japanese football and the world’s oldest professional footballer, Kazuyoshi Miura, has signed a new deal with his club that will keep him playing past his next birthday when he will be 54.


‘King Kazu’, as he is fondly called, who is the oldest goalscorer in Japanese professional football, has committed to his 17th season with the club and the 36th overall in his storied career.

Miura turns 54 on February 26, the day before the J1 League campaign is due to get underway.

World

Last September, he became the oldest player in the top-flight’s history against Kawasaki Frontale at the age of 53 years and 210 days – he went on to make three more appearances that season.

Miura holds the records for being the oldest footballer and oldest goalscorer in worldwide professional leagues at the age of 50 and, as of 2020, is the oldest active professional footballer in the world at 53.

He also holds the possibly unique distinction of having played professional football in five separate decades (1980s-2020s).


In a statement released via the club, Miura said his “hopes and passion for football are only increasing” despite making only seven league appearances in the past two years.


“Last season, I was feeling the joy of playing football at a time when the world was facing a tough situation because of the new coronavirus,” he said.


Miura’s last goal came in March 2017, when he scored in a 1-0 win over ThespaKusatsu Gunma in Japan’s second tier at the age of 50 years and 14 days. It made him the oldest player to score in a professional league match in Japan.


Having started his career with Santos in 1986, Miura became the face of the J-League after its launch in 1993, having been the first Japanese winner of the Asian Footballer of the Year award in 1992. 


Miura has scored 55 goals in 89 international appearances for Japan and won the Asian Cup in 1992.


He has played for Genoa, Dinamo Zagreb and Sydney FC.


He is one of only three men to score more than 50 goals for Japan, along with Kunishige Kamamoto and Shinji Okazaki.

Jide N.

‘Impeaching Trump for exercising his First Amendment rights would be so dangerous to the Constitution’ – Trump lawyer Alan Dershowitz

Harvard Law professor emeritus, constitutional law scholar and Trump’s lawyer during his 2019 impeachment trial, Alan Dershowitz has said that impeaching the president for ‘exercising his First Amendment rights’ would be ‘so dangerous to the Constitution.’

House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, announced on Sunday that the House Of Representatives will go ahead with impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump for allegedly ‘inciting insurrection’ at the State Capitol last week Wednesday, January 6, when his supporters stormed the Capitol building in response to the Senate voting to confirm Joe Biden’s Electoral college win.


According to Pelosi, she would have preferred Vice-president Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump from office even though he has barely two weeks to remain at the White House, but with the VP wavering, she will hastily have to start impeachment proceedings, making Trump the first president in US history to be impeached twice in one term.


But Dershowitz, a seasoned lawter, zayswhile he does not believe it would result in a Senate trial, impeaching President Trump over what he said in an address prior to protesters storming the Capitol building on Wednesday would provide a “loaded weapon” to both parties to use at their will in the future.

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Speaking to Fox News, Dershowitz said that even if Trump is impeached for a second time, the Senate will not be able to hear a trial because Trump would be out of office by the time that were to happen.


“It will not go to trial. All the Democrats can do is impeach the president in the House of Representatives. For that, all you need is a majority vote. You don’t have to take evidence, there are no lawyers involved,” Dershowitz said. 

“But the case cannot come to trial in the Senate because the Senate has rules and the rules would not allow the case to come to trial until – according to the majority leader – until 1 p.m. on Jan. 20, one hour after President Trump leaves office.”


Dershowitz added that “the Constitution specifically says the president shall be removed from office upon impeachment.”


 He said that because it does not say “the former president,” the Senate’s “jurisdiction is limited to a sitting president,” barring the possibility of a trial. 


Even without a Senate trial, however, Dershowitz warned against what a House impeachment could mean going forward. He said that according to the landmark 1969 Supreme Court decision in Brandenburg v. Ohio, President Trump’s words are constitutionally protected. 


That decision said speech is not protected if it is “directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.”


Dershowitz, who was part of Trump’s legal team for his first impeachment, said that while he personally disapproves of what Trump said in his Wednesday address, “it comes within core political speech, and to impeach a president for exercising his First Amendment rights would be so dangerous to the Constitution.”


The professor said that impeaching a president for his words would set a precedent that was not envisioned by the framers of the Constitution.


“It would lie around like a loaded weapon ready to be used by either party against the other party,” he said, “and that’s not what impeachment or the 25th Amendment were intended to be.”

By Jide N.

Christopher Maboulou dies after suffering heart attack during a friendly game

French professional footballer, Christopher Maboulou has died of a heart attack at the age of 30.


The tragedy struck on Sunday as the winger was enjoying a friendly game of football with his friends at Montfermeil, the Paris suburb where he was born.

According to the UK Sun, he collapsed on the pitch and was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.


The former French top-flight star, 30, made 29 Ligue 1 appearances for Bastia.

The Corsican club said: “We have sadly just learned of the tragic death of our former player Christopher Maboulou.

“We extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. May he rest in peace.”

French footballer, Christopher Maboulou dies after suffering heart attack during kick-about with friends

Chateauroux tweeted: “Christopher was a child of our club. Football was his life.

“It was while playing the sport that he loved so much that he left his favourite playground.”

Former Chateauroux president Michel Denisot added: “My thoughts go out to the family and friends of the club’s former player Christopher Maboulou. RIP.”


Maboulou previously took an enforced two-year break from football when doctors diagnosed cardiac problems in 2011.  He recovered sufficiently well and landed a top-flight move to Bastia three years later.


The Paris-born also played for Chateauroux, Nancy, Evian, and Greeks PAS Giannina. He was a free agent after being released by Evian last summer.

By Jide N.

Olivia Wilde’s split from Jason Sudeikis due to Harry Styles

Olivia Wilde and fiancé Jason Sudeikis split after 9 years of dating and this reportedly happened after she formed a connection with Harry Styles.

A source exclusively tells Us Weekly that “Olivia called off the engagement in early November but only after she already had gotten close to Harry.

The insider continues, “Whether Harry knows it or not, he was a reason for the split and it blindsided Jason — he totally adores Olivia and is devastated. Family is his biggest priority.”

Olivia Wilde, 36, and Harry Styles, 26, were spotted holding hands at his manager Jeffrey Azoff’s wedding in Montecito, California, earlier this month. The former One Direction member then referred to her as his “girlfriend” in a speech.

However, a second source claims, “The engagement was called off early last year, as was previously reported. Harry was in no way the reason for their split.”

A third insider told Us earlier this month that Wilde, 36, and Sudeikis, 45, were “already done” before she moved on with Styles, 26, adding: “Harry did not break up an engagement.”

Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis dated for 9 years. He proposed in January 2013, and they later welcomed son Otis, 6, and daughter Daisy, 4.

A source said at the time that the pair’s bicoastal lifestyle was partly to blame for the demise of their relationship.

“Of course, there were arguments and fights over career decisions and where to live,” the insider said, noting that the two “butted heads on many occasions.”

Wilde and Styles met in set while working together on Don’t Worry Darling, an upcoming film in which the actress directs Styles.

“Olivia and Harry were able to keep their relationship under wraps for a bit before it became public knowledge,” an insider said. “They were very careful about it and even sleuthy at times, although the small group of people who were on set with them every day eventually figured it out.”

According to a source, Wilde and Styles “had chemistry almost instantaneous on set”.

Pope Francis’ personal doctor dies from COVID-19

Fabrizio Soccorsi, the personal doctor of Pope Francis has died from COVID-19 complications.

Catholic News Agency reported that the 78-year-old physician was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for a previous health issue on December 26.  While he was dealing with an “oncological pathology,” COVID was the cause of death, the Vatican’s newspaper L’Osservatore Romano reported.

In August 2015, Pope Francis named him his personal physician after not renewing the term of papal doctor Patrizio Polisca, who was also head of the Vatican’s healthcare services.

Since the pontificate of St. Pope John Paul II, the two positions had been tied together, but Pope Francis diverged from this custom by choosing Soccorsi, a doctor from outside the Vatican.

The Pope recently declared it was within Catholic doctrine, and actually an ethical obligation, to receive vaccination against COVID and said he would be receiving his first dose shortly.

“It is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process,” the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said in a statement approved by Francis in December.

By Kingsley U.

Trump will be remembered as worst president in history- Arnold Schwarzenegger

Hollywood star and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger in a video shared on Sunday January 10 rebuked President Donald Trump and also compared the riot at the US Capitol which the president incited to Kristallnacht, the night in November 1938 when Nazi thugs attacked Jewish Germans and their property, a harbinger of horrors to come.

Recall that Trump supporters broke into the Capitol on Wednesday January 6, after the president told them to “fight like hell” in support of his attempt to overturn election defeat by Joe Biden. Five people died, including a Capitol police officer who was hit with a fire extinguisher and a rioter shot by law enforcement.

Schwarzenegger began the video by telling a story of his childhood in Austria and comparing the Capitol riot to the Night of Broken Glass, a night in 1938 when Nazis attacked destroyed Jewish-owned buildings.

He also shared a memory of his father coming home intoxicated and abusing his family saying “they were in physical pain from the shrapnel in their bodies and in emotional pain from what they saw or did.”

Calling out the US President over his several unfounded claims of election fraud, the actor also compared American democracy to a weapon he wielded onscreen in the loincloth of Conan the Barbarian nearly 40 years ago, saying: “Our democracy is like the steel of this sword. The more it is tempered, the stronger it becomes.”

He also compared the Proud Boys, a far-right American extremist group to the Nazis. Some Proud Boys leaders were arrested in the nation’s capital, before and after Wednesday’s riots.

Schwarzenegger said in the video; 

“Wednesday was the Day of Broken Glass right here in the United States. The broken glass was in the windows of the United States Capitol. But the mob did not just shatter the windows of the Capitol. It has shattered the ideals we took for granted. They did not just break down the doors of the building that housed American democracy. They trampled the very principles on which our country was founded.

“President Trump sought to overturn the results of the election — and of a fair election. He sought a coup by misleading people with lies.”

Schwarzenegger called Trump a failed leader and said he took solace that Trump’s presidency was coming to an end and “would soon be as irrelevant as an old tweet.”

He added;

“I have seen firsthand how things can spin out of control. I know there is a fear in this country and all over the world that something like this could happen right here. I do not believe it is.

“But I do believe that we must be aware of the dire consequences of selfishness and cynicism. President Trump sought to overturn the results of an election. And a fair election. He sought a coup by misleading people with lies. My father and our neighbours were misled also with lies. I know where such lies lead.

“President Trump is a failed leader. He will go down in history as the worst president ever. The good thing is he soon will be as irrelevant as an old tweet.

“And to those who think they can overturn the United States Constitution, know this: You will never win.”

He goes on to call out members of the Republican Party for enabling President Trump, saying they are complicit with the riots as well. He ends the video by calling for unity, saying “President-elect Biden, we stand with you today tomorrow forever, in defense of our democracy from those who would threaten it.”

Schwarzenegger, a member of the Republican Party was elected as governor in California in 2003. He served as governor for eight years until 2011.

By Jide N.

A great story about Simone Segouin, alias Nicole Minet

Simone Segouin, mostly known by her codename, Nicole Minet, was only 18-years-old when the Germans invaded. Her first act of rebellion was to steal a bicycle from a German military administration, and to slice the tires of all of the other bikes and motorcycles so they couldn’t pursue her. She found a pocket of the Resistance and joined the fight, using the stolen bike to deliver messages between Resistance groups.

image 13



She was an extremely fast learner and quickly became an expert at tactics and explosives. She led teams of Resistance fighters to capture German troops, set traps, and sabotage German equipment. As the war dragged on, her deeds escalated to derailing German trains, blocking roads, blowing up bridges and helping to create a German-free path to help the Allied forces retake France from the inside. She was never caught.

Segouin was present at the liberation of Chartres on August 23, 1944, and then the liberation of Paris two days later. She was promoted to lieutenant and awarded several medals, including the Croix de Guerre. After the war, she studied medicine and became a pediatric nurse. She is still going strong, and this October (2021) she will turn 96. ❤️

image 14

By Francisca C.

Olorunnimbe Mamora’s twin daughters, get proposed to at the same time by their boyfriends

Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora’s twin daughters, Dahun and Dara, got proposed to at the same time by their boyfriends.

 

Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora

Their boyfriends, Bayo and Lanre, pulled off the proposals with the help of their family and friends ho connected via zoom. The brides-to-be were pleasantly surprised as they didn’t see it coming.

Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora
Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora

By Jide N.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quits social media as they ‘ve encountered “hate” online

Meghan and Prince Harry 'to be offered £1m Spotify

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly quit all social media permanently due to the “hate” they have encountered on the platforms.

A source close to the couple told The Times of London that they have “no plans” to use social media for their new company Archewell and are “very unlikely” to resume use of their personal accounts.

The couple are understood to have become disillusioned by the “hate” they encountered on social media.

The pair use their Instagram account, @sussexroyal, which has over 10.4 million followers to share public health advice on the coronavirus as well as updates on their charity work, but they have not posted since March 2020.

It comes after Meghan spoke of the “almost unsurvivable” pain she suffered at the hands of online trolls last year.

In an interview with Californian high school students for Mental Health Day last October, the Duchess said she was “the most trolled person in the world” in 2020 – and urged anyone suffering to speak out.

 “I’m told that in 2019 I was the most trolled person in the entire world, male or female.

“I don’t care if you’re 15 or you’re 25 – if people are saying things about you that aren’t true, what that does to your mental and emotional health is so damaging.”

The Duchess also spoke of the dangers of social media for teen mental health, adding: “Yes it’s a great place to connect but it’s also a place where there is a lot of disconnection.”

The news marks another departure from royal life for the couple, as other members of the Royal Family regularly use Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to promote their official and charity work.

In March 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines when stepped down as senior royals.

By Kingsley U.

Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters on fire !

There was a fire outbreak at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja today January 10.

The Service disclosed this in a statement on its official Twitter handle this morning. According to the service, the fire affected some of the offices in the headquarters. 

The tweet reads

”A fire incident occurred in our Service Headquarters this Morning. It affected some of our Offices. 2.The fire has been put out by our Federal Fire Station&support from other agencies around the Airport. 3.The cause of the fire is being investigated.We assure the public that the incident will not in any way affect the discharge of our services.”

Fire outbreak at Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters

By Jide N.

Far-right extremists are calling for more violence on the inauguration day – Experts

Experts are warning that far-right extremists are calling for more violence ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration.

This warning comes in the aftermath of the riot on the US Capitol after Trump supporters broke in and unleashed chaos.

The attack on the Capitol building on Wednesday, Jan 6, led to the deaths of five people.

It ultimately resulted in US President Donald Trump being banned from Facebook and Twitter as the creators of the platforms accused him of using his accounts to incite violence.

Far-right extremists call for more violence ahead of inauguration?

But Trump supporters are not backing down and they have taken to various platforms to threaten violence.

The threat of violence got so bad that Google had to remove Parler app from the official Play Store after Parler users used the platform to plan acts of violence against law enforcement members and for the upcoming Biden inauguration ceremony.

Far-right extremists call for more violence ahead of inauguration?

Experts warn that these extremists may feel even more emboldened as Joe Biden is set to be sworn in as president during inauguration on January 20.

“We are seeing … chatter from these white supremacists, from these far-right extremists. They feel emboldened in this moment,” Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, told CNN.

“We fully expect that this violence could actually get worse before it gets better.”

Several Trump supporters have pledged on sites like Parler to show up on Inauguration Day to again attack the nation’s Capitol.

Far-right extremists call for more violence ahead of inauguration?

“Many of us will return on January 19, 2021 carrying Our weapons,” wrote a Parler user who goes by the handle Colonel007.

“We will come in numbers that no standing army or police agency can match.”

Another took to pro-Trump forum, thedonald.win, to insist that Trump will still be sworn in on January 20.

“We must not let the communists win,” the user wrote on Thursday, a day after the attempted coup. “Even if we have to burn DC to the ground. Tomorrow we take back DC and take back our country.”

Far-right extremists call for more violence ahead of inauguration?

The fact that the extremists were able to get past Capitol Police and into the Capitol building as Congress was certifying the results of the presidential election has raised concerns about how secure inauguration will be

By Jide N.

House on the Rock Church, Pastor dies of COVID-19

One of the Pastors of Lagos-based church, House on the Rock, Pastor Yinka Akinbami, has died after contracting the novel Coronavirus. Pastor Akinbami died on Friday, January 8.

Pastor with House on the Rock Church dies of COVID-19

Senior Pastor of the church, Paul Adefarasin, announced his passing on social media and paid glowing tribute to the late clergyman who he described as a good man. 

Pastor Adefarasin in his tribute warned Nigerians to take the COVID19 pandemic seriously and adhere to all the protocols.

Yesterday, I received the rude and shocking news of someone deeply dear to me and all of the House on the Rock family. The passing of Pastor Yinka Akinbami has become most painful because if there truly were good men, he was certainly one.

Till his passing, Pastor Akinbami was one of the senior presbyters of our church and has been with us for over 25-years, serving in the Family Life Directorate, coaching many exemplary men and women as they embarked upon the journey of building families.

Egbon Yinka,

your sudden passage is hard to understand, yet we bow respectfully to the sovereignty of God while we remain thankful for the decades of impactful work along with the exemplary life you lived while you were with us. As a dear egbon to me, even though you were older, we were close friends and I thank you for allowing me to be your pastor and spiritual father. The thought that I will return to church and not see you again on this side of the divide, is unbelievable. I have not been able to process this loss, however, I am sure of how much we will all miss you.

Family, kindly allow me to solicit your intercession for his dear wife of over 30 years; Pastor Tolu, his children, his children-inlaw, and grandchildren. We can only at best imagine how much pain they are feeling. We share the pain of his loss but they will feel it a lot more. So, please pray that God’s peace and strength envelopes them especially in this difficult moment.

It’s important to remind the community about the deadly nature of Covid-19 and its mutant virus strains. Please do your part by following all the recommended precautions. That way, you are able to protect yourself and others who become proximal to you. God bless and keep us all.

To my brother, Yinka Akinbami, sleep well till we meet to part no more.

Adieu to our fellow soldier

Grace to the whole family.

#brother #missyou #friend #peace #prayers #icon #forever #houseontherock”

Pastor with House on the Rock Church dies of COVID-19

By Kingsley U.

Man carrying off Nancy Pelosi’s lectern in US Capitol riots has been arrested

The Florida man who was photographed carrying U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern from the House of Representative chambers during the riot at the U.S. Capitol, has been arrested. 

The suspect identified as 36-year-old Adam Christian of Parrish in Florida, was arrested on a federal warrant and booked into the Pinellas County jail Friday night, the records said. No bond was allowed.

Johnson who was clean shaven in his mugshot, appeared in the photo with a beard and a wool hat with “Trump” written on the top.

Capitol rioter seen carrying off Nancy Pelosi

No attorney information for Johnson was immediately available. The status of the lectern is not immediately known.

In addition to the arrest of Johnson, there were at least 13 people facing criminal charges in U.S. District Court in connection to the riot, and at least another 40 people were facing lesser charges in the District of Columbia Superior Court, a local venue.

Many of those individuals were arraigned on Thursday and released, with an order from the judge not to return to Washington unless it is for court appearances or meetings with their attorneys.

They included Cleveland Meredith, who was charged with threatening Pelosi as well as possession of an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition, and Richard Barnett, the Gravette, Arkansas, man who was photographed sitting at Pelosi’s desk and is also known as Bigo.

By Jide N.

Shirtless man in face paint and horn arrested: US Capitol riots

Jacob Anthony Chansley a.k.a. Jake Angeli, the shirtless man donning horns and carrying a US Flag on a spear has been arrested after participating in the riots at the US Capitol building in D.C. on Wednesday January 6. 

The suspect who stood out from the crowd as the Pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building, is a 32-year-old Arizona native and he has been charged with two federal counts of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. 

The purported QAnon conspiracy theorist sometimes referred to as the “QAnon Shaman” according to the Arizona Republic, was taken into custody Saturday morning in Phoenix. He’s expected to have an initial appearance in federal court this week in Phoenix, a Justice spokesperson told The Arizona Republic.

In a statement of facts, filed to secure an arrest warrant for Angeli, a Capitol Police special agent said he was able to identify Angeli through his “unique attire and extensive tattoos covering his arms and left side of his torso.

US Capitol riot: Shirtless man in face paint and horn arrested

Angeli, according to the statement of facts, called the FBI on his own Thursday and confirmed he was the person who briefly was at the dais of the U.S. Senate. He told the FBI that he came to D.C. “as part of a group effort, with other ‘patriots’ from Arizona, at the request of the President that all ‘patriots’ come to D.C. on January 6, 2021″. 

In the past year, Angeli has been spotted — often in costume — at various demonstrations across the country, including a Washington D.C. protest after Joe Biden’s presidential win in November.

The Arizona native has also been photographed multiple times at the Arizona State Capitol — and in one instance, during a pro-Trump rally in February, held a sign that read, “Q Sent Me” \

Though he identified himself publicly as Angeli, court records show he petitioned to have his name legally changed to Jacob Anthony Angeli Chansley in 2005.

By Jde N.

Twins that ‘they can’t live without each other’, got married to the same man (Photos)

Photos and a video which have gone viral on social media, have captured moment a Nigerian man traditionally married twin sisters.

It was gathered that the twins married same man because ‘they can’t live without each other’ and it also looked like one is already pregnant. 

Twitter user, @ph_obidon who shared the photos wrote; 

They are twins, he got married to them because one cannot live without the other. Yeh or nah ?

Nigerian man marries twins because
Nigerian man marries twins because
Nigerian man marries twins because
Nigerian man marries twins because

By Francica C.

Unlike Trump, Buhari showed true statesmanship when he lost elections – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the insurrection at US Capitol on Wednesday January 6, triggered by President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede in the US presidential election. 

In a statement released by John Akpanudoedehe, secretary of APC’s caretaker and extra-ordinary convention planning committee, the party stated that the latest twist of events in the United States are“condemnable” and further compared Buhari to Trump. 

According to the APC, President Muhammadu Buhari contested and lost elections a couple of times and followed the process through to the Supreme Court on all accounts. 

The statement read; 

“The events of the past 72 hours in the U.S. are, to say the least, condemnable. Over time, elections in the U.S. had been used as a touchstone for elections in other democracies. 

“President Muhammadu Buhari contested and lost elections a couple of times and followed the process through to the Supreme Court on all accounts. This is an outstanding credential of a true democrat.”

By Lucky B.

Mike Pence will attend Biden inauguration, not Trump

US vice president, Mike Pence will be attending the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. 

Multiple media reports on Saturday cited senior administration officials as saying that Pence who was forced to take shelter from the US Capitol intruders during the riot has decided to attend Biden’s inauguration on January 20.

The news of Pence’s intention to watch President-elect Joe Biden take his oath of office in person comes after the relationship between Pence and Trump plunged when the Vice President president defied the President by performing his constitutional duty to certify the election results and formally announced Biden’s victory.

Pence had faced intense pressure from Trump to stop the ceremonial vote counting during a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol last Wednesday. 

A mob later descended on the US Capitol where Pence was presiding over the counting of the Electoral College results, forcing him and other members to flee the chamber when the pro-Trump rioters infiltrated the building, leading to the death of five people.

Joe Biden said on Friday that he was glad Pence would be attending his inauguration. 

“He’s welcome. I think it’s important that as much as we can stick to what have been the historical precedents of how an administration changes should be maintained. And so Mike, the vice president, is welcome to come. We’d be honored to have him there, and to move forward in the transition,” Biden said.

President Donald Trump announced on Twitter, before his account was permanently suspended, that he would not be attending.

US vice president, Mike Pence to attend Biden inauguration

Biden said Trump’s decision to skip his inauguration is “one of the few things he and I have ever agreed on.”

“It’s a good thing, him not showing up,” Biden told reporters Friday in Wilmington, Delaware, at a news conference after he introduced Cabinet nominees.

“He exceeded even my worst notions about him. He’s been an embarrassment to the country, embarrassed us around the world. He’s not worthy to hold that office,” Biden said.

By Jide N.

Boeing 737 passenger jet with 62 people onboard has gone missing (photos)

A Boeing 737 passenger jet with 62 people onboard has gone missing after plummeting 10,000 feet following takeoff from Jakarta. 

The Sriwijaya Air plane took off from Soekarno-Hatta international airport on Saturday at 1.56 pm for a 90-minute flight over the Java Sea between Jakarta and Pontianak in West Kalimantan – Indonesia’s section of Borneo island, Indonesian Transportation Ministry spokesperson Adita Irawati said.

Indonesian passenger jet with 62 people on board goes missing after

As of 2.40 pm, the spokesperson said the Boeing B737-500 plane lost contact with the control tower.

She said: ‘A Sriwijaya (Air) plane from Jakarta to Pontianak (on Borneo island) with call sign SJY182 has lost contact.

‘It last made contact at 2:40 pm (0740 GMT).’ 

Indonesian passenger jet with 62 people on board goes missing after

Families of the passengers and crew are fearing the worse after rescuers looking for the jet say they have discovered suspected debris in the ocean north of the capital.

Indonesian passenger jet with 62 people on board goes missing after

The 26-year-old plane was carrying 62 people including 56 passengers seven of whom are children and three are babies as well as two pilots and four cabin crew. 

A spokesperson for Boeing said: ‘We are aware of media reports from Jakarta, and are closely monitoring the situation. We are working to gather more information.’

Indonesian passenger jet with 62 people on board goes missing after

A statement released by the airline confirmed that the plane was on an estimated 90-minute flight from Jakarta to Pontianak with 56 passengers and six crew members onboard.  

A search and rescue operation is underway in coordination with the National Search and Rescue Agency and the National Transportation Safety Committee.

Authorities have also deployed a search vessel and paramedics are on hand to aid any survivors. 

By Jide N.

Increasing COVID19 recorded in Nigeria, about 1544 cases

Nigeria recorded 1544 new cases of COVID19 on Friday, January 8.

According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC, Lagos recorded 739 fresh cases, the highest for the day.

Other states with fresh cases include Plateau-168, FCT-153, Oyo-91, Nasarawa-90, Rivers-80, Kaduna-35, Edo-33, Kano-29, Ogun-21, Delta-19, Sokoto-16, Akwa Ibom-11, Ebonyi-11, Enugu-10, Osun-10, Niger-9, Bauchi-8, Kebbi-8, Katsina-2 and Taraba-1.

Nigeria now has 97,478 confirmed cases. 78,552 patients have so far been discharged. Sadly, 1,342 deaths have been recorded since the first case was confirmed in February 2019.

See a breakdown of the number of cases per states below

1544 cases of COVID19 recorded in Nigeria

By Lucky B.

Paternity Scandal: Moyo Thomas, wife of the deceased, finally speaks

Moyo Thomas, the former employee of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) who is caught up in a paternity scandal with the managing director of the bank Nuhu Adams, has finally shared her own side of the story. 

Recall that it was reported that Moyo’s estranged husband, Tunde Thomas, died from heart attack after battling depression upon learning that the two children from their marriage were allegedly fathered by Nuhu Adams, who she was allegedly in a romantic relationship with. 

Speaking after reports of the affair went viral and also made Adams embark on a leave pending investigation into the case by the bank management, Moyo said she refrained from commenting on the issue to preserve memories of Tunde who died on December 16, 2020. 

Paternity Scandal: On no occasion did I ever tell Tunde he was not the father of our two children ? Moyo Thomas finally speaks

The former FCMB employee also stated that despite the differences in their marriage, some of which led to police intervention, she remained committed to keeping only positive memories of him and never allowed their separation affect their children.

The statement which was released on Friday January 8, read; 

“I write in reference to all the allegations and accusations that have recently been making the rounds on the internet and various social media platforms. I have refrained from responding to this matter for various reasons, one of which is to preserve the memories of Tunde who departed to be with his maker on December 16, 2020. Memories, not only to me, but to his children, who are still young, and to everybody who had a relationship with him.

“Just like any marriage, Tunde and I had a lot of differences in our marriage, some of which even led to police intervention . But I remain committed to keeping only positive memories of him. No one can ever understand what transpired between us or what each of us experienced in the marriage; like they say, it is he who wears the shoes that knows where it pinches. In all of it, I never for once wished him bad. His untimely and sudden death is still a shock to me as it is to many others.

“On no occasion did I ever tell him he was not the father of our two children. It is therefore deliberate falsehood and certainly malicious to allege and insinuate  that I informed him that the children are not his. The children still bear his name.  Only God knows why he died in an untimely period. It is not in my place, or anyone’s place to play God and talk with certainty as to the cause of his death, without proven medical facts.

“Despite our separation, we never allowed our differences affect the relationships we respectively have with the children. He still had conversations with the children like any father will, up until his sudden and unfortunate  death. It is quite sad and disheartening to see the pictures of these innocent children splashed all over the internet with very disparaging and weird comments.

“I do wish his family and friends the fortitude to bear the unfortunate loss and I ask that we all be allowed to grieve his loss in peace. He has now been laid to rest and we implore all and sundry  to please respect our privacy and allow those grieving his loss, including the children and I, to do so in peace.”

By Kingsley U.

Never lose hope! A 50-year-old Nigerian divorcee finds love again(photos)

A Nigerian divorcee who is in her 50s, recently got hitched to the love of her life, a widower who is in his 60s.
 

The couple, Patrick and Bose Okoh met when his eldest son invited them both for a dinner. They met and afterward started seeing each other. They recently had their traditional wedding.

Nigerian divorcee who is in her 50s gets hitched to the love of her life, a widower in his sixties (photos/video)

They are proud parents of seven children between them and grandparents as well. Congrats to them!

See more photos and video from their wedding below.

Nigerian divorcee who is in her 50s gets hitched to the love of her life, a widower in his sixties (photos/video)
Nigerian divorcee who is in her 50s gets hitched to the love of her life, a widower in his sixties (photos/video)
Nigerian divorcee who is in her 50s gets hitched to the love of her life, a widower in his sixties (photos/video)
Nigerian divorcee who is in her 50s gets hitched to the love of her life, a widower in his sixties (photos/video)
Nigerian divorcee who is in her 50s gets hitched to the love of her life, a widower in his sixties (photos/video)
Nigerian divorcee who is in her 50s gets hitched to the love of her life, a widower in his sixties (photos/video)
Nigerian divorcee who is in her 50s gets hitched to the love of her life, a widower in his sixties (photos/video)

By Francisca C.

Nigerian drug lord and Ghanaian counterpart escapes from the Ghanian prison

A 27-year-old Nigerian drug kingpin identified as Chukuda Onyabu and his 26-year-old Ghanaian counterpart Emmanuel Osei who were remanded in Abokobi Police Cells near Adenta in the Greater Accra Region, have reportedly escaped from prison. 

The suspects who are facing charges of possession of narcotic drugs and conspiracy to commit crimes and stealing respectively, were detained in prison custody while awaiting the next court date.

However on January 1, 2021, it was detected that the two suspected criminals had escaped from the cells by using the iron rod used at the ventilation hole of the bathroom’s door to scrape a portion of the cell’s wall and removed one of the blocks. They reportedly escaped through the hole they created. 

It was further learnt that efforts are underway to arrest the suspects whose images have been circulated to various police outlets in and outside Accra.

By Murtala D.

COVID19 in-patient cases increases in the Lagos Care Centres – Akin Abayomi

Lagos Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi has disclosed that at least 51 percent of beds in both private and public COVID-19 care centres in the state have been occupied.

Abayomi reeled out the figures on Friday January 8, while giving an update on the Coronavirus situation in the state.

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He also disclosed that the oxygen usage is also on the increase at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba.

By Jide N.

Gov Sanwo-Olu fulfils his promise to the LASU best graduating students (photos)

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, today January 8, presented a 5 million Naira cheque to the best graduating student of the Lagos State University (LASU).

Gov Sanwo-Olu fulfils his promise, presents N10m cheque to LASU best graduating students (photos)

Governor Sanwo-Olu at the LASU 24th Convocation ceremony which held on Wednesday, Dec 16, promised to give Shotunde the cash prize as well as a scholarship.

Oladimeji Shotunde, a student whose mother is a trader and his father a mechanic, emerged as the overall best graduating student of the school. He had a cumulative grade point average CPGA of 4.95 from a total CGPA of 5.00 scale academic performance.

Gov Sanwo-Olu fulfils his promise, presents N10m cheque to LASU best graduating students (photos)

Governor Sanwo-Olu also presented a cheque of 5 million Naira to the Best Master’s Degree student of the school, Olabanjo Olusola Aanu, who finished his Master’s Degree in Computer Science with a Grade Point of 5.0.

Gov Sanwo-Olu fulfils his promise, presents N10m cheque to LASU best graduating students (photos)

By Jide N.

Police looking for the crook who injected a 92-year-old woman with fake Covid-19 vaccine

Police are on the hunt for a fraudster claiming to work for the NHS after he injected a 92-year-old woman with a fake Covid-19 vaccine. 


The City of London police said the victim, a resident of Surbiton, south-west London, had allowed the man into her home on 30 December after he knocked on the door claiming to be an NHS worker distributing the Covid-19 vaccine. 


The 92-year-old woman told police that she was jabbed in the arm with a “dart-like implement” and made to pay £160, which the man said would be refunded by the NHS.


Authorities said it is not known what substance, if any, was administered, but the woman showed no ill effects after a check at her local hospital.


The man was alleged to have appeared at her home a second time on 4 January, when he demanded another £100 from the woman.

Images released by police show the suspect dressed in a navy blue tracksuit with white stripes down the side. He is described as a white man in his early thirties, who is around 5ft 9 inches tall, of medium build, with light brown hair that is combed back, and speaks with a London accent.

Police hunt for fraudster who injected a 92-year-old woman with fake Covid-19 vaccine and charged her ?160

Police are asking for anyone with information on what was branded a “disgusting” incident to come forward.

Detective Inspector Kevin Ives said: “This is a disgusting and totally unacceptable assault on a member of the public which won’t be tolerated.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist us in identifying this man to get in touch.

“It is crucial we catch him as soon as possible as not only is he defrauding individuals of money, he may endanger people’s lives.”

By Jide N.

Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale’s marraige annulled by the Catholic Church

Gwen Stefani’s marriage to Gavin Rossdale has reportedly been annulled by the Catholic Church, five years after their split.

According to US Weekly, Gwen has been granted an annulment ahead of her marriage to Blake Shelton.

The 51-year-old singer was married to Bush singer Gavin Rossdale from 2002 to 2015, with the couple sharing three kids, Kingston, 14, Zuma, 12, and Apollo, 6. Gwen later filed for divorce in 2015, with the divorce finalised the following year.

Gwen Stefani finally gets her marriage to Gavin Rossdale annulled by the Catholic church

A source said: ‘Gwen was told the decision was made by the Vatican tribunal. She will be receiving the notification in writing in the next few weeks, but it’s official.’ 

Stefani, a devout Catholic, began the formal process of seeking an annulment back in March 2019, a year and a half before her fiance Blake popped the question in October 2020.

‘Gwen’s religion has always been extremely important to her, and Blake is completely supportive of this,’ a source said in March 2019.

Another source added in June 2020 that the COVID-19 pandemic had ‘changed’ her feelings about the wedding, which she wants to do safely.

Gwen Stefani finally gets her marriage to Gavin Rossdale annulled by the Catholic church

                                            Gwen and Stefani and her new fiance, Blake Shelton.

‘COVID-19 has turned their world upside down, as it has with so many families. Gwen knows she is blessed and wants to have the wedding as soon as social distancing guidelines are lifted,’ the source said.

‘Gwen wants to have a ceremony and reception with their family and friends,’ the source added.

Sources also claimed the wedding will take place sometime early this year, at a chapel Shelton built on his Oklahoma ranch.

When they eventually tie the knot, it will be the third marriage for Shelton, and the second for Stefani.

Shelton was previously married to Kaynette Gern, with the marriage lasting from 2003 to 2006. He was also married to fellow country music artist Miranda Lambert from 2011 to 2014 before their split. 

By Hajia R.

A British multi-millionaire has been arrested after he drove from London to Italy to threaten his ex-girlfriend

A British multi-millionaire has been arrested after he reportedly drove 1,000 miles from London to Italy to threaten his ex-girlfriend following their break-up.

Ajaz Hussain Shah, 36, was apprehended after his ­terrified ex saw his gold £165,000 Lamborghini Huracan packed outside her flat.

British multi-millionaire arrested after ?driving his Lamborghini Huracan from London to Italy to threaten his ex-girlfriend?

According to the Sun, Shah was dumped by the woman after he had allegedly attacked her with a knife and a clothes iron during an 18-month relationship.

The report said cops raced to the 26-year-old’s flat in Rimini, Italy, and Shah was arrested. He appeared before a judge accused of threats and violence. 

He reportedly drove from the UK capital to Milan and then on to the seaside resort of Rimini. 

British multi-millionaire arrested after ?driving his Lamborghini Huracan from London to Italy to threaten his ex-girlfriend?

Shah was fined under Italy’s Covid laws and faces five years’ jail.

An Italian police source said:”This was a terrifying accident for the victim. She was the recipient of physical abuse in the form of beatings and of verbal abuse over several months.

”She was also burnt with an iron and threatened with a knife but she bravely left and fled to her parents house where she hoped to escape this man.

British multi-millionaire arrested after ?driving his Lamborghini Huracan from London to Italy to threaten his ex-girlfriend?

”He then started to call and threaten her, saying he would burn her house and her parents’ car, she was understandably in fear of her life.

”Earlier this week she went onto the balcony and saw him outside in his Lamborghini and so she called police and he was arrested.”

Shah, a fund manager originally from Birmingham, is worth £15million-plus and has properties in London and Italy.

By Jide N.

China locks down a city of 11 million people to contain a coronavirus flare-up

China has locked down a city of 11 million people in its northern province of Hebei, in order to contain the country’s worst coronavirus flare-up in months.


Residents of Shijiazhuang, a provincial capital close to Beijing, have been barred from leaving the city, as major highways were blocked, train and bus stations closed and flights canceled.


The lockdown comes as a total of 117 Covid-19 infections including 67 asymptomatic cases were detected in Shijiazhuang on Wednesday. 


On Thursday, Shijiazhuang identified another 66 positive cases, according to the Hebei provincial health commission.


Since January 2, a total of 304 positive cases have been reported in Hebei,  most of which were in Shijiazhuang, official figures show. 


At a press conference Thursday night, municipal officials announced a ban on outbound travel for all residents and vehicles from Shijiazhuang, except for emergencies.


Within the city, gatherings are banned, all schools have been suspended, and residential communities and villages are also closed off.


The restrictions are some of the strictest imposed in China after a previous lockdown during the initial outbreak in the central city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected in December 2019.


The outbreak in Shijiazhuang comes just weeks before the Lunar New Year holiday, the most important annual festival in China which sees millions of people traveling home to reunite with family.

By Lukcy B.

Buhari and Osinbajo take the COVID19 vaccine in the full glare of the public – Faisal Shuaib

As Nigeria expects the first batch of COVID19 vaccines by the end of January, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, says it will be nice to see President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, and other top government officials take the COVID19 vaccine in the full glare of the public.

Shuaib said this when he spoke at the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja on Thursday, January 7. According to him, such action by leaders of the nation will send a message to Nigerians that the vaccine is safe.

He said

“On Tuesday, I had mentioned that we will like to see a situation where Mr President, the Vice President, the SGF, critical leaders come and take the vaccine in full glare of the public to demonstrate that this vaccine is safe.

So, we have to make provisions for those. But even in developed countries, what we have seen is that apart from the prioritisation of health workers, you have to also identify critical leaders that you don’t want them to be wiped off by the virus.

For example, in warfare, if you want to destroy your enemies, you look for specific leaders: captains, the generals, once you decapitate them, then the soldiers will become weak.

So, as much as possible you do not want to also leave your leaders vulnerable to COVID-19. It doesn’t mean you want to prioritise politicians, that is not correct. I emphasised during the last briefing that we will prioritise our health workers because they are the ones in direct contacts with cases in isolation units.”

By Jide N.

Trump plans to pardon himself and his family before leaving the White House

President Donald Trump has reportedly told close aides he plans to pardon himself and his family members in the final days of his White House administration amid calls for his removal from the Oval Office.

The news comes as Democratic and Republican lawmakers condemned the president’s conduct after his supporters stormed the Capitol building during the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 elections on Wednesday. 

According to the New York Times, Mr. Trump has specifically asked about the legal implications of giving himself a presidential pardon before leaving the White House. 

The president has also reportedly considered issuing pardons to his family members, including Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr, as well as aides like Jared Kushner and his personal attorney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. 

Mr. Trump suggested to advisers he was concerned about the incoming administration potentially investigating his family for criminal wrongdoing, according to the New York Times report.

This comes shortly after the speaker of the House Rep., Nancy Pelosi called on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office.

“In the next 13 days, this dangerous man can do further assault on our democracy,” she said at a news conference. 

We are in a very dangerous place as long as Donald Trump remains in office,” the 80-year-old added, noting that Trump must be held accountable for the Capitol riot in Washington on Wednesday.

The President has committed an unspeakable assault on our nation and our people. I join the Senate Democrat leader and call on the Vice-President to remove this President by invoking the 25th Amendment. If the Vice-President and cabinet do not act the Congress may be compelled to move forward with impeachment,”

By Jide N.

Karim Benzema to face trial for his alleged role in sex tape

Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema will face trial for his alleged involvement in blackmailing former France teammate Matthieu Valbuena in a ‘sex tape’ scandal, the Versailles prosecutor’s office said on Thursday. 

The 33-year-old, who is of Algerian descent, is accused of having pressured his former national team teammate to pay blackmailers who threatened to reveal an intimate video in which Valbuena featured. 

Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema to face trial for his alleged role in sex tape blackmail plot that ended his career with France national team

The prosecutor’s office has now announced in a statement to The Associated Press that he will stand trial on the charge of conspiracy to attempt blackmail. A date for the trial has yet to be set.

Following his suspected involvement in the scandal, Benzema was banned from the national team in November 2015. 

The investigators who charged Benzema believe he was approached by a childhood friend that year to act as an intermediary and convince Valbuena to deal directly with the blackmailers. Instead, Valbuena informed the police.

Four other people will also stand trial in the case. Benzema has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

At that time, Benzema faced heavy criticism and then-Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the former Lyon player had ‘no place’ in the national team. 

Former French President Francois Hollande was quoted as saying in a book that Benzema was not an example of morality.

By Usman O.

Elon Musk overtakes Jeff Bezos to become the world’s richest person

Tesla CEO, Elon Musk is now the richest person in the world, with a net worth of more than $185 billion.

An increase in his company’s share price on Thursday January 7, pushed Musk past Jeff Bezos, who had been the richest person since 2017 and is currently worth about $184 billion.

Reacting to the news, Musk tweeted: “How strange. Well, back to work …”

Tesla CEO, Elon Musk overtakes Jeff Bezos to become the world

The 49-year-old’s electric car company has surged in value this year and hit a market value of $700bn (£516bn) for the first time on Wednesday.

The South Africa-born only just passed Bill Gates in November to become the second-richest person in the world. Musk has gained more wealth over the past 12 months than Bill Gates’ entire net worth of $132 billion.

Bill Gates is now a distant third at $132 billion, according to Bloomberg.

Tesla’s shares were recently trading at about $790, up more than 4% in trading Thursday. The company’s market value has grown to $737.6 billion.

Elon Musk saw his personal wealth skyrocket in 2020 to the tune of more than $150 billion, in large part because he owns a lot of Tesla stock, about 20 percent of the company.

By Jide N.

Manchester United completes £37m signing of Amad Diallo

Manchester United have finalised the signing of Amad Diallo from Atalanta for a fee which could rise to £37 million ($50m) with add-ons.


The deal was agreed back in October on the final day of the summer transfer window, but remained on hold as the club had to secure a work permit and agree personal terms with the winger.


This week, Manchester United obtained a Governing Body Exemption for Diallo and he becomes the first player to be signed and registered under the new FA rules which have been implemented post-Brexit.


He has now signed a deal which will keep him at United until June 2025, with the option for a further year.


He has now flown to Rome to obtain his Visa after which he will fly to Manchester to join up with his new team-mates.


Diallo has made two appearances for Atalanta’s first team this season.

 
Speaking of his arrival, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “As a club, we have followed Amad for a number of years and having watched him myself, I believe he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game.

“Manchester United has such a proud history of developing young players and everything is in place to enable Amad to reach his potential here.

“It will take time for him to adapt but his speed, vision and fantastic dribbling ability will stand him in good stead to make the transition. He is a player with all of the raw attributes that are needed to be an important player for Manchester United in the years to come.”


Diallo said: “After waiting since the summer, it is finally a dream come true to complete my move to Manchester United. I am hugely ambitious and there is so much that I want to achieve in the game; when I spoke to the manager I knew that I had joined the perfect club.


“This is a really exciting squad with so many great players, I can promise that I will work hard every day to learn from them and give everything to develop my game. The coaches have been fantastic since I signed, we have been in touch regularly and they have already given me a lot of great advice.

“I have had time to prepare for this move, both physically and mentally, and I have worked really hard to be ready to make the step up to this amazing club.”

By Usoman O.

Jeffrey Star reacts to rumours Kanye West had an affair

Jeffree Star has reacted to the trending rumor that he and Kanye West had an affair.

Without confirming or denying the rumours, the beauty mogul posted a new picture of himself in a pink bathrobe on his Instagram and Twitter with the caption: “I’m ready for Sunday Service,” an apparent reference to the rapper’s well-known Christian gathering.

Beauty mogul, Jeffrey Star responds to rumours Kanye West cheated on Kim Kardashian with him

Star has nearly 17 million subscribers on YouTube and is the CEO of the makeup company Jeffree Star Cosmetics.

Earlier in the day, he had exchanged chats with YouTube drama personality Keemstar about his alleged affair with Kanye but he avoided giving a direct answer, writing instead: “Hahaha” and “I’m having the best time in Wyoming, come visit sometime!”

Wyoming is where Kanye has been based while Kim has spent the majority of her time at their home in LA with their kids.

There’s no evidence that Star and West have ever met, let alone dated.

The rumor that West had cheated on his wife, Kim Kardashian West, with Star was started on TikTok by Ava Louise, an influencer best known for her song “Skinny Legend Anthem” and for a viral video in which she licked an airplane’s toilet seat for what she called the “coronavirus challenge.”

Louise mentioned a Page Six article that reported West and Kardashian West were planning to divorce and said it was “no surprise” because she had known “for months” that West was “hooking up with a very famous beauty guru.”

“A lot of people in the scene have known for a while,” Louise said in the TikTok, then liked comments suggesting Star is the beauty Guru Kanye West had a romantic entanglement with.

Louise told Insider there wasn’t any “concrete evidence” for the theory but said she was friends with an entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles who she claimed was provided evidence of the affair by Kim Kardashian months ago.

Louise’s video quickly traveled to Twitter, where “Jeffree” trended throughout the day. 

By Kingsley U.

Kanye West bought ‘five 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600s’ for Kim Kardashian despite rumored divorce

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West reportedly splashed $1million each on themselves on Christmas presents despite their rumored divorce. 


TMZ claims the couple spent Christmas together at home and treated themselves to lavish gifts with the rapper, 43, buying Kim, 40, five 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600s, ringing in at $200,000 each.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

Kim reportedly returned the favor too by gifting Yeezy several James Turrell pieces worth  $1 million.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

Recall Kanye is a huge Turrell fan whose work has been a leading inspiration behind the visuals he uses in his Sunday Service projects, including blue and red lighting and the fisheye camera lens used during the Easter service at Coachella.

The report comes after it was claimed by multiple sources that their divorce is ‘imminent’, following unconfirmed reports that Kim and Kanye have been having serious issues in their marriage for the most part of 2020 and have been living apart for several months now with Kim and the kids in LA and Kanye at his ranch in Wyoming.

Kanye and Kim, who got married in 2014, share four children together, daughters North, seven, and Chicago, two, and sons Saint, five, and Psalm, 20 months.

By Lucky B.

Donald Trump has been banned from Facebook and Instagram indefinitely

Mark Zuckerberg has banned Donald Trump from using Facebook indefinitely.

Facebook COO, Sherry Sandberg initially announced Trump has been banned from the platform for 24 hours, writing:

I am deeply disturbed by the violence that took place today at the US Capitol. The peaceful transition of power is the cornerstone of our democracy. Joe Biden has been elected the next President of the United States with results that were certified by all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We need to come together to focus on the critical problems our country is facing – ending the pandemic and helping our economy recover.

At Facebook, we are treating today’s violent events as an emergency. We are restricting President Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for the next 24 hours, meaning he’ll lose the ability to post on both platforms. We are also taking a number of other actions outlined in this post from our VP of Integrity Guy Rosen.

Mark Zuckerberg announces that Donald Trump has been banned from Facebook and Instagram indefinitely

Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg announced later that the ban on Trump’s account has been extended indefinitely.

He wrote: “The shocking events of the last 24 hours clearly demonstrate that President Donald Trump intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden.

“His decision to use his platform to condone rather than condemn the actions of his supporters at the Capitol building has rightly disturbed people in the US and around the world. We removed these statements yesterday because we judged that their effect — and likely their intent — would be to provoke further violence.

“Following the certification of the election results by Congress, the priority for the whole country must now be to ensure that the remaining 13 days and the days after inauguration pass peacefully and in accordance with established democratic norms.

“Over the last several years, we have allowed President Trump to use our platform consistent with our own rules, at times removing content or labeling his posts when they violate our policies. We did this because we believe that the public has a right to the broadest possible access to political speech, even controversial speech. But the current context is now fundamentally different, involving use of our platform to incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government.

“We believe the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great. Therefore, we are extending the block we have placed on his Facebook and Instagram accounts indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete.”

Mark Zuckerberg announces that Donald Trump has been banned from Facebook and Instagram indefinitely
Mark Zuckerberg announces that Donald Trump has been banned from Facebook and Instagram indefinitely

Both Facebook and Twitter blocked Trump’s accounts temporarily on Wednesday following Trump’s posting on content that incited his followers to violence.

By Jide N.

We are in talks with China for COVID19 vaccines – Nigeria

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, says the Federal Government is currently in talks with China to have access to COVID19 vaccines for Nigeria.

Onyeama made this disclosure while briefing newsmen shortly after a bilateral meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who was in Nigeria on a working visit.

He said that China was of immense assistance to Nigeria at the advent of the pandemic, noting that the donation of protective equipment greatly helped the nation in the fight against COVID19 during the first wave. The minister said that at this point when countries were discovering vaccines and China being one of them, Nigeria was engaging the country in the area of access to the vaccine.

“We have received a lot of support from China in the area of personal protective equipment that they were very quick to provide us with.

“China is also one of those countries that have been able to discover vaccines for COVID-19, so we are also engaging with China to also help with regards to access to vaccines for our people” he said

By Kingsley U.

China jails 17 people for smuggling Pangolin scales worth $28 million from Nigeria

A court in east Zhejiang Province on Tuesday sentenced 17 people to prison for smuggling more than 23 tons of pangolin scales into the country from Nigeria.

The scales, worth more than 180 million yuan (US$27.9 million), were smuggled by the gang from Nigeria in three batches in 2018 and 2019, according to the intermediate people’s court in Zhejiang’s Wenzhou City.

The two main suspects, surnamed Yao and Wang, were sentenced to 14 and 13 years in prison, respectively. Other suspects received jail terms ranging from one year and three months to 12 years.

The China Daily reported in December 2020, that in September last year custom authorities in Wenzhou found two people selling pangolin scales, which are often used in traditional Chinese medicine, in a black market in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

At the end of October, customs received a tip that a batch of scales would be smuggled into China and those two people would be involved, the publication said. 

“A man surnamed Cai purchased pangolin scales in Nigeria and entrusted an overseas smuggling group to transport them to Busan first. Then, the man’s two partners in Wenzhou hired another group to deliver them to Wenzhou via Shanghai,” said Feng Chenxue, an Hangzhou Customs official.

The containers with scales, mixed with slices of ginger, were unloaded at a wharf in Shanghai and then transferred to Wenzhou where local customs authorities seized the containers and caught the suspects, according to Feng.

“The smuggled pangolin scales were wrapped with layers of ginger slices in bags, which makes them hard to detect during routine spot checks,” said Chen Ling, a policeman from Wenzhou Public Security Bureau.

By Jide N.

Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford rated the most valuable player in the world

Marcus Rashford

Manchester United and England striker, Marcus Rashford has been rated as the most valuable player in the world.

According to CIES Football Observatory, the 23-year-old has the highest estimated transfer value of players across Europe’s big five leagues and is worth an eye-watering £149.8 million in today’s market despite the Coronavirus pandemic.

The CIES survey takes into account recent player performances as well as their age, contract situation and career progression plus their club’s wealth and success.

Paris Saint-Germain and France superstar, Kylian Mbappe slumped to fifth place on their list as he enters the last 18 months of his contract. He is valued at £135m now, below Rashford, Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland (£137.3m), Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (£137m), and United attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes (£135.1m).

As for Lionel Messi, who is into his final six months at Barcelona, he’s ranked at 97th with an estimated value of (€54m). His arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, valued at €47m, took 131st spot. 

See Top 20 most valuable players in 2021 per CIES Football Observatory (amount in €)

Marcus Rashford, Manchester United – 165.6m

Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund – 152.0m

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool – 151.6m

Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United – 151.1m

Kylian Mbappe, Paris saint-Germain – 149.4m

Jadon Sancho, Borussia Dortmund – 148.3m

Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid – 141.5m

Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich – 139.2m

Raheem Sterling, Manchester City – 136.9m

Kai Havertz, Chelsea – 136.0m

Timo Werner, Chelsea – 135.1m

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool – 134.0m

Ruben Dias, Manchester City – 126.8m

Sadio Mane, Liverpool – 123.8m

Bukayo Saka, Arsenal – 116.2m

Achraf Hakimi, Inter Milan – 113.7m

Mason Mount, Chelsea – 109.3m

Ansu Fati, Barcelona – 108.4m

Harry Kane, Tottenham – 107.0m

Frenkie De Jong, Barcelona – 105.7m

By Usman O.

Hmmm ! Insecticide Cover got stuck in the lady’s vagina while she was masturbating with it (video +18)

A video which has gone viral after being shared on social media, captured moment an insecticide cover was forced out of vagina of Nigerian lady. 

It was alleged that the insecticide cover got stuck in the lady’s vagina while she was masturbating with it. The lady was heard screaming in pain as the cover was forced out of her private part. 

Twitter user, @emii_tiger who shared the video wrote; 

Lmao… She go use Insecticide can Mastubate. Now see your life

By Lucky B.

Eric Jerome Dickey dies at 59 after battling a longtime illness

Eric Jerome Dickey, who rose to prominence with his novels on Black love, relationships, and contemporary life, has reportedly died after battling a longtime illness. The author was 59-years-old.

His death was first announced by his cousin, La Verne Madison Fuller before it was later confirmed by his publicist, Philip Lewis.

Best-Selling author, Eric Jerome Dickey dies at 59 after battling a longtime illness

According to Philip, Dickey passed away on Sunday, January 3, in Los Angeles after battling a long illness.

“It is with great sadness that we confirm that beloved New York Times best-selling author Eric Jerome Dickey passed away on Sunday, January 3, in Los Angeles after battling a long illness. He was 59.”

“Eric Jerome Dickey was the author of twenty-nine novels, and his work has become a cultural touchstone over the course of his multi-decade writing career, earning him millions of dedicated readers around the world. He was the author of multiple New York Times bestselling novels, including Milk in My Coffee, Cheaters, Chasing Destiny, Liar’s Game, Between Lovers, Thieves’ Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, Pleasure, Dying for Revenge, Resurrecting Midnight, Tempted by Trouble, An Accidental Affair, and Decadence,’ reads his publicist’s statement.

Dickey rose to prominence as a New York Times best-selling author, wrote over 20 books over the course of his life with fan favorites including “Milk in My Coffee,” “Cheaters,” and “Sister, Sister.”

Most recently, his book Sister, Sister was honored as one of Essence’s 50 Most Impactful Black Books of the Last 50 Years, and USA Today featured him on their list of 100 Black Novelists and Fiction Writers You Should Read.

The Memphis-born author leaves behind four daughters. 

By Jide N.

The United States Electoral System does not meet modern democratic standards – Russia

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has reacted to the insurrection at the US capitol which occurred while lawmakers in the North American country were certifying results from the 2020 presidential election. 

The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova was quoted saying that the electoral system in the United States is archaic and does not meet modern democratic standards. 

The state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported that Zakharova said the insurrection at the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump was “an internal US affair” but that blame rested with the US system.

She said; 

“The electoral system in the United States is archaic, it does not meed modern democratic standards, creating opportunities for numerous violations, and the American media have become an instrument of political struggle.

“This is largely the reason for the split in society now observed in the United States.”

By Jide N.

US Congress certifies Joe Biden as next US president

The US Congress has affirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump.

According to CNN, the counting of Vermont’s three electoral votes put Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris over the 270-threshold needed to win the presidency.

The report also said the Senate and House rejected objections to throw out Georgia and Pennsylvania’s electoral votes for Biden. Republicans also objected to Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan’s electoral votes, but the motions failed before they reached debate.

“The announcement of the state of the vote by the President of the Senate shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons elected President and Vice President of the United States, each for the term beginning on the 20th day of January 2021 and shall be entered together with the list of the votes on the journals of the Senate and the House of Representatives,” Pence said following the count of all the Electoral College votes.

The certification comes after pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol building on Wednesday and violently clashed with police in an attempt to stop President-elect Joe Biden’s certification.  

Injuries were reported and one woman, a US Airforce veteran identified as Ashli Babbitt, was killed during the riots. 

By Jide N

Mike Pence disapproves Donald Trump’s moves

US Vice President, Mike Pence has changed his Twitter bio to a picture of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, after the events that unfolded in the US on Wednesday, January 6.

Mike Pence very angry with Trump
Mike Pence very angry with Trump

In a stunning rebuke of his boss, Pence changed the bio after Trump criticized him for not ‘helping him out’ in the electoral college vote certification process, using his ceremonial role as President of the Senate.

Mike Pence very angry with Trump
Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma, said he talked to Vice President Mike Pence about President Trump’s criticisms of him, and Pence “was very upset with him.”

Inhofe also called Trump’s comments “regrettable.”

Pence on Wednesday publicly broke with Trump, saying he cannot submit to demands he overthrow the results of the election.

Pence formalized his views in a letter to lawmakers, declaring he has no “unilateral authority to decide presidential contests” and could not change the results of the election.

“It is my considered judgement that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not,” he wrote.

Read Pence’s full statement below.

Mike Pence very angry with Trump
Mike Pence very angry with Trump

By Jide N.

Nigeria Customs Service generated ₦1.5 trillion in 2020

The Nigeria Customs Service generated the sum of 1.5 trillion Naira (?1,562,115,419,216) for the year 2020.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dec 6, the Public Relations Officer of the service, Joseph Attah, said that despite the Coronavirus pandemic, the generated revenue was over the target of ?1,380,765,353,462 and over the sum of ?1,342,006,918,504 generated in 2019.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, credited this achievement to the resolute pursuit of what was right and the willingness to adapt to changes brought on by global health challenges occasioned by COVID-19.

The NCS spokesman said the agency’s revenue generation profile had continued to be on the rise annually based on the ongoing reforms in the service.

He noted that the partial border closure which forced cargoes that could have been smuggled through the porous borders to come through the sea and airports raised revenue collection from ports, Channels TV reports.

“Before the commencement of the border drill on August 20, 2019, revenue generation was between N4bn to N5bn but now NCS generates between N5bn to N9bn daily,” the statement partly read.

“Diplomatic engagements that took place during the partial land border closure yielded many positive results, including the commitment to comply with the ECOWAS protocol on transit operationalisation of joint border patrols at both sides of the border.”

By Jide N.

Kanye West waits for Kim Kardashian to serve him with divorce papers

Kanye West is reportedly “sad, but okay” over his impending divorce from Kim Kardashian.

According to PEOPLE, a source close to the couple says Kim is delaying filing divorce papers to figure out a way to protect their four children during the divorce process.

“He knows that she’s done. She has had enough, and she told him that she wants some space to figure out her future,” a source told PEOPLE, adding that Kanye is waiting to be served with the divorce papers.

Kim and Kanye have been living separately for at least a year with Kanye spending the majority of his time in Wyoming while Kim was in Calabasas with their 4 children.

Kim began seriously considering filing for divorce months ago during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Kim and Kanye tied the knot on May 24, 2014 after dating for several years.

By Kingsley U.

Kim Kardashian allegedly dating Van Jones amid her impending divorce

As news of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s impending divorce broke on social media, rumors began spreading that Kim is already seeing CNN reporter Van Jones.

According to multiple sources, Kim and Van have been discretely seeing each other for over a year now.

Van met Kim at the White House when she asked President Donald Trump to pardon Alice Johnson in 2018.

Van reportedly gushed about Kim to his CNN colleagues and to Andy Cohen during an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live” in 2019. He said Kim will make a great lawyer because she is “incredibly persuasive and persistent.”

Kim, 40, began studying law and working as an intern at a law firm in California shortly after meeting Van.

Van also told friends that he keeps in touch with Kim “a couple of times a week.”

The reports claim they both have a lot in common as Kim likes Black men and Van prefers Caucasian women.

Meanwhile, the paparazzi have already taken up their positions outside Van’s residence.

Van, 52, separated from his wife of 14 years, Jana Carter, in 2019.

Van, who was former President Barack Obama’s Special Advisor for Green Jobs in 2009, was able to see Kim easily after Kanye checked out of their marriage last year and moved to a sprawling ranch in Wyoming.

By Lucky B.

Dr. Dre pays ex-wife $2M in temporary family support

Dre n Wife

Dr. Dre reportedly paid his ex-wife Nicole Young $2 million in temporary spousal support while he recovers from a brain aneurysm in a Los Angeles hospital.

According to legal documents filed Wednesday, Dec 6, the mega producer authorized the $2 million payment from his hospital bed.

The 55-year-old music producer suffered a brain aneurysm Monday, Dec 4, and was rushed by ambulance to Cedars and taken directly to ICU, where he is “resting comfortably” according to his lawyer.

A hearing on the matter of the couple’s divorce was heard in a courtroom on Wednesday, Dec 6. 

Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, was represented by his attorneys in court.

The judge postponed the divorce proceedings until a later date to give Dre time to heal from his brain injury.

According to the agreement, obtained by The Blast, Nicole will receive $2 million by Monday, and she will be responsible to cover her living expenses and attorney fees.

As reported, Nicole wants $2 million a month in temporary spousal support plus $5 million for attorneys fees.

By Jide N.

FCMB appoints Acting Managing Director, Yemisi Edun

The First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has announced the appointment of Yemisi Edun as its acting managing director.

Edun takes over the running of the bank from the Managing Director, Adam Nuru, who on Tuesday, January 5, proceeded on leave amid allegations of marital infidelity involving him and a former staff of the bank, Moyo Thomas. There are allegations that Moyo’s estranged husband, Tunde Thomas, 45, died on December 16, 2020, from a heart attack after battling with depression upon discovering that the two children from their marriage were allegedly fathered by Mr Nuru. Read here.

A statement from the bank announcing Edun’s appointment reads in part

“In line with normal corporate practice, Mrs Yemisi Edun is acting as the managing director of FCMB in the interim period while Mr Adam Nuru is on leave, and the Board conducts its review of the allegations.

She has not been appointed as the substantive Managing Director. As and when the Board completes its review of the allegations, we will provide an update.”

Edun has hitherto been the bank’s executive director, finance.

By Jide N.

N10.9bn Fraud: Court jails ex-Finbank MD, Okey Nwosu, three others

Justice Lateefa A. Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, convicted and sentenced Okey Nwosu, a former Managing Director, Finbank Plc, to three years imprisonment over 10m fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned Nwosu alongside Dayo Famuroti, Agnes Ebubedike and Danjuma Ocholi on a 26-count amended charge bordering on stealing and illegal conversion to the tune of N10,934,704,402.

A statement released by EFCC says the defendants, who perpetrated the fraud while they were directors of the bank, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them, thereby leading to their full trial. In the course of the trial, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs , SAN, called witnesses and also tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence against the defendants.

Delivering her judgment, the Judge found the defendants guilty and sentenced the first and second defendants, Nwosu and Famoroti, to three years imprisonment each. The Judge also sentenced the third defendant, Ocholi, to 12 months imprisonment and slammed a six- month community service on the fourth defendant, Ebubedike.

The case had suffered a setback as the defendants challenged the jurisdiction of the trial court up to the Supreme Court. While the court maintained its jurisdiction to try the defendants, Nwosu approached the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal which in November 2013 struck out the charge against the banker.

The appellate court ruled that the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charges because they emanated from capital market transactions, which should be handled by the Federal High Court.

Following the appeal court ruling, Dayo Famoroti, Danjuma Ocholi and Agnes Ebubedike approached the Lagos High Court to dismiss the charges preferred against them.

But Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, counsel to EFCC had prayed the court to adjourn the matter indefinitely pending the determination of its appeal at the Supreme Court

Justice Okunnu upheld the prayers of Jacobs and adjourned the matter sine die to allow the Supreme Court rule on the matter.

The Supreme Court, in its judgment, upheld EFCC’s appeal. In a unanimous judgment, a seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court faulted the argument of the Court of Appeal that the decision by the EFCC to charge Nwosu and the other directors for stealing before the Lagos High Court, while it maintained a charge of money laundering against them, would amount to double jeopardy.

The Supreme Court directed Nwosu and co- defendants to submit themselves for trial before the Lagos High Court.

By Lucky B.

Oh! Missing 12-year-old girl found alive with her throat slit after 5 days inside soakaway in Delta (photos)

12-year-old Blessing Ineh, who reportedly went missing in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta, has been found alive inside a soakaway. 

It was gathered the the young girl was last seen on New Year Day after she was sent on an errand by her parents. 

Missing 12-year-old girl found alive with her throat slit after 5 days inside soakaway in Delta (photos)

She was found inside a soakaway located behind her family house on Tuesday, January 5, after a child heard her whimpering and raised an alarm. 

According to reports by popular Warri online news portal, Warri Aproko, the young girl was abducted by three men, allegedly stabbed on the back and her throat slit before she was dumped in the soakaway. 

Her body was found covered in white chalk which seems to suggest that it was a case of attempted ritual murder by suspected internet fraudsters.

The victim is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. 

Missing 12-year-old girl found alive with her throat slit after 5 days inside soakaway in Delta (photos)

Meanwhile, it was further learnt that Blessing revealed that her neighbour identified smply as “General” was one of the men behind the dastardly act.

According to the victim, General was the one who lured and whisked her away in a car. After they were done, the men dumped her inside the soakaway to die. 

The suspect is said to have disappeared from the compound since the day the girl went missing. 

Missing 12-year-old girl found alive with her throat slit after 5 days inside soakaway in Delta (photos)
Missing 12-year-old girl found alive with her throat slit after 5 days inside soakaway in Delta (photos)

By Kingsley U.

Breaking ! Donald Trump supporters gain access to U.S. Capitol building (videos)

Donald Trump supporters clashed with police as they attempted to gain access to the U.S. Capitol building where Congress are meeting to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s election win in the November election.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Freedom Plaza on Tuesday evening, January 4, a day before a congressional vote to affirm Joe Biden’s victory to protest and back Trump’s unverified claims of election fraud.

Donald Trump supporters clash with police as they attempt to gain access to the U.S. Capitol building ahead of Joe Biden

On Wednesday, demonstrators were seen clashing with U.S. Capitol Police and overcoming barricades to make their way into the Capitol building as Congress counts the Electoral College ballots inside. 

Reports said congressional staff in the U.S. Capitol complex were ordered to evacuate two buildings, the Cannon office building for House members, and the Madison building, part of the Library of Congress, as protests intensified.

The clash kicked off after Trump told supporters that he would never concede the 2020 presidential election to President-elect Joe Biden. 

By Jide N.

Bobby Shmurda due to be released from prison next month

Police officials have announced that US rapper, Bobby Shmurda could be leaving prison next month, after serving more than 6 years in jail for conspiracy and weapons possession at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora in upstate New York.


Shmurda, 26, whose real name is Ackquille Pollard, pleaded guilty in connection with his membership in the GS9 gang of East Flatbush.

He was arrested in 2014 outside a recording studio in Midtown New York and police found two guns and crack cocaine in his car.

US rapper Bobby Shmurda eligible for release from prison next month after serving more than six years behind bars

Shmurda was sentenced to a maximum of seven years in prison and was tentatively scheduled for release on December 11, 2021.

He was up for parole in September but was denied as a result of disciplinary actions for his behavior while in prison.

He is now eligible for release on Feb. 23. and will serve the rest of his sentence on parole through Dec. 11, the New York Police department has announced.

By Lucky B.

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