Super Eagles’ William Troost-Ekong nominated for 2016 best defender in Norway award

Super Eagles defender and FK Haugesund captain William Troost-Ekong has been nominated for the 2016 Defender of the Year award in the Norwegian Tippeliga league.
His club FK Haugesund’s confirmed his nomination on their official website on Wednesday.
“FK Haugesund William Troost-Ekong is nominated for the ‘Year defender’,” . The series is nearing its end and the Norwegian Football Association (NFF), Norwegian Toppfotball (NTF) and Adult Women (SKF) invite people to vote on which players, coaches and referees who have been the best in their field this year;” the club announced
Congrats to him!

Photos: Nigerian pastor, 10 others involved in one of the biggest sham marriage in the UK jailed for 50 years

Eleven persons, including Nigerians were involved in one of the biggest sham marriage to be uncovered in West Midlands, UK. They were on October 21, 2016, jailed for a total of 52 and a half years.
A Nigerian pastor and two other men are regarded as the driving forces behind the racket that involved at least 45 fake relationships received the longest sentences. 41-year-old Donald Nwachuckwu, senior pastor at the Kingdom of Godfire Church in Bilston, was jailed for eight years .
He used his position to identify West Africans in the country illegally who were prepared pay up to £6,500 for permission to stay on the bogus grounds of being married to, or in a long term relationship with, a person from the European Union living and working in this country.
An astonishing £153,000 worth of credits passed through bank accounts run by the pastor under a false name before he was arrested at his home in Titford Road, Oldbury.
Nwachukwu and others had joined forces with a Nigerian law student to cash in a valuable asset -a person’s right to stay in the UK and claim benefits. The sham marriage gang was busted in 2013, following a tip of about a dodgy wedding between a 26-year-old Nigerian Edward James and Czech Julie Ondova, 20, who already had a boyfriend and two children but had accepted £800 to play the role of bride at Stoke Register Office with a further £1,000 due on completion of the nuptials. The both pleaded guilty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to facilitating a breach of immigration law. He was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment and deported on July 29, 2014. She was jailed for 16 months and kicked out of the country on completion of her sentence.
Clemence Marijeni, aged 43, from Weston Road, Bilston was the master forger who created the fake documents to support the spurious applications for European Economic Area (EEA) resident’s cards that allowed the holder to stay in the UK and claim benefits. He was jailed for ten years. The graphics expert created fake histories for the West African and person supposed to be their long term lover – mainly Czech or Slovakian and promised up to £1,800 each to take part in the plot which ran from January 2012 to March last year.
False utility bills, rent books, pay slips and employment records backed the bogus claim of a legitimate marriage or lasting relationship. Some included pictures of the pair – who were strangers – side by side in bed, fully clothed or shopping together
Olatunji George, 44, a law student who had completed a module on immigration law administered the operation. He also got 10 years behind bars. He claimed to be paid up to £1,000-a-time to prepare packages of the correct documents and fill in the necessary paperwork for the bogus resident’s card applications.
His home in Taylor Way, Tividale held an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of information when raided by Immigration Enforcement investigators who, after a tip off, halted the marriage of a 26-year-old Nigerian and a Czech woman, who both lived in Wolverhampton. She revealed that Nwachuckwu had been involved in organising the bogus wedding. Checks on the pastor revealed phone calls between him, George and Marijeni.
Jozef Puzo, aged 28, St Pauls Road, Smethwick, was jailed for five years. He provided the final piece of the jigsaw by earning up to £750-a-time finding women and men from the zech and Slovakian communities prepared to take part in the scam. Both he and George are now on the run after fleeing during their trial but were convicted and sentenced in their absence.
Also convicted of conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law were: Victor Ibeh, 32, Cherene Cotterill,27, and pavel Farbar, 30: Lenka Jocova, 38, Peter Fredrick, 27, Idris Agia, 31 and Aishatu Ibrahim, 25.
However, Aishatu Ibrahi has also gone missing but was given three and a half years while Agia was arrested moments before flying out of the country to Nigeria just days ago. He was jailed for three and a half years. The other five defendants were each jailed for between two and three and a half years. All defendants were found guilty of immigration offences. Jailing them at Worverhampton Crown Court yesterday, Judge Amjad Nwas said:
“These were all willing participants in a well organised system operated for profit”
Photos of other convicts below …


Source: Express and Star

Jay Z bids $40M to acquire unreleased music of late rock icon Prince

Rap mogul and Roc Nation CEO, Jay Z has reportedly bid $40M to acquire the right to buy the unreleased music of late rock icon Prince.
According to TMZ report, Jayz flew Prince’s sister Tyka and her husband, Maurice Phillips to NYC to meet with him for further discussion on the $40M deal. However, it is also believed that Tyka who shares same parent with the late singer that died in April 2016 will have to get sign-off from all her half siblings before Jay Z can have full right to the deal.

‘If i don’t get back in the team, i’ll respect it, Chelsea is bigger than me!’ – Mikel Obi

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John Mikel Obi, Chelsea’s longest serving player after captain John Terry has admitted that he will respect the decision of the club and it’s manager Antonio Conte if they decide to not bring him back to the Chelsea first team and offload him in the winter or summer transfer window.
Mikel, who has won virtually every title at club level, has not featured for Chelsea this season. He hopes to play in Wednesday’s English League cup clash against West Ham as the arrival of Frenchman N’Golo Kante further pushed him down the pecking order below Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas, Nathaniel Chalobah and Reuben Loftus-Cheek.
“I hope I will get some playing time against West Ham [in the EFL Cup], but it is down to the manager,” said Mikel to journalists.
He has been open and honest with me. I respect him for that. He has explained the situation and I totally understand. When you have been at a club for a long time, these things happen where a club wants to move forward.
“I just have to be professional, work as hard as I can to try and get into the team. I work twice as hard every day and it’s because I appreciate this club. I have been here a long time, have a lot of trophies and memories that will never go away. If I don’t get back in the side, I will respect it. I always respect the football club’s decision. The club is more important than me.”
Mikel, who joined Chelsea in 2006, did not start this campaign with the Blues as he was away on international duty with Nigeria at the Olympic Games in Brazil.

Checkout This Stylish Cape Of Aisha Buhari That Costs A Whooping N1.2Million. (Photo)

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So this side by side photo of the first lady wearing a cape that costs a slapping N1.2million has been shared by an online media platform.
According to the platform, the first lady’s outfit is a Salvatore Ferragamo Cape Dress which costs $2,600 (1.2 million) when converted.
The first lady stepped out today for the first time, following her controversial BBC interview – She currently is in Brussels, Belgium for a forum, where she is expected to speak on “Women’s role in global security“.

BREAKING: Tension as Boko Haram raid military camp, kidnap soldiers

Some soldiers of the Nigerian army have reportedly gone missing after a raid by the Boko Haram sect.

There are emerging reports that a remote military camp in the northeastern region of Nigeria, has been raided by Boko Haram insurgents.
The insurgents reportedly stormed the camp on Monday, October 17, wounding 13 soldiers and taking away an unknown number of soldiers.

According to a statement made by the army on Wednesday, October 19, an operation to get back the missing soldiers is still ongoing as the army has gone after Islamic extremists that attacked the camp.

Monday’s attack comes a week after one faction of Boko Haram released 21 of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped from northeastern Chibok town, and as Nigeria’s government is negotiating for the release of another 83 of the girls abducted 2½ years ago.

The attack on Gashigar, on the border with Niger, is the third reported attack on the military after months of a lull during which the Islamic extremists hit soft civilian targets.

Army spokesman Col Sani Kukasheka Usman called the attack a “temporary setback” committed by “remnants of Boko Haram” that forced the soldiers to retreat. An operation is in progress to find the missing troopers and “clear the Boko Haram terrorists at the general area,” his statement said.

It is believed the attack is by a splinter from Boko Haram that calls itself the West Africa Province of the Islamic State. The IS named a new caliph of its only franchise in sub-Saharan Africa in August, provoking a struggle with Boko Haram’s longtime leader Abubakar Shekau. A battle of words on social media indicated the dispute is over Shekau’s indiscriminate killing of Muslims.

The group loyal to Shekau negotiated – with the Swiss government and International Committee of the Red Cross acting as intermediaries for Nigeria’s government – last Thursday’s release of 21 Chibok girls, the first such negotiated settlement.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who flew to Germany the day the girls were set free, is scheduled to meet with them and their families later Wednesday, according to a social media message posted by the official account of Nigeria’s presidency.

Boko Haram’s 7-year-old Islamic uprising has killed more than 20,000 people, forced some 2.6 million from their homes and left tens of thousands facing famine-like conditions, according to aid agencies and the U.N.

“If I had $2m I would have abandoned this horrible profession” – Justice Liman After His House was Reportedly Raided By DSS

Following the massive clampdown on judges suspecte to be involved in corrupt practices, Honourable Justice Muhammad Liman has reacted to reports that his house was raided by officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged corruption.
The DSS said that about $2 million was stashed in the house of a judge but a governor prevented them from gaining entrance into the house.
Liman, in a statement published on The Nigerian Lawyer, said:
I believe most of the members heard or read about the reported raid in Port Harcourt and my name has been mentioned as the judge in whose house $2 million was stashed. Since yesterday this story has been on the headlines and captions on most social media platforms. The truth is that all that you’ve read is more of misinformation and disinformation; substantially untrue account.
The truth is that we live as neighbors to the DSS, their address is 35 and mine is 33. That night the DSS came to house 34 where they wanted to search but they were refused entry and later Governor Wike was said to have come and engaged the security outfit in a near physical struggle, as the report suggested.
I wouldn’t have known of the incidence if my neighbor in house 34 had not called me to inform me of the presence of strange people at her gate. All this while the melee lasted to around 4AM, I was in my house monitoring the events, and remained indoors until later in the day when I felt it was no longer safe for me to continue to remain.
However I feel distressed that the DSS indirectly claimed they have evidence I stashed $2m, and when contacted I employed thugs and with Governor Wike to obstruct them from carrying out the search and that I later transferred the money to an unknown place. I do not think I need to refute this allegation because it would only make sense if they had actually targeted my house for the search.
The truth is that due to their incompetence they bungled the operation and are desperately searching for alibi to save their heads. Unfortunately I have found myself in the middle of a dirty politics between Wike and the Federal Government and perhaps my notoriety for delivering controversial judgements; because the cases are also controversial and the stakes probably very high.
I’m not asking anybody to believe or disbelieve whether I stashed $2m, an amount that is equivalent to about N1b. Perhaps you might think the DSS probably exaggerated the amount, but all these would have been relevant considerations if they had actually searched my house. If I had $2m or even a quarter of it I would have abandoned this horrible profession that has lost its dignity. In fact I have already lost interest in it and have made up my mind to say bye bye to it. I believe there is a life beyond every other thing.
Photo Credit: Federal High Court

Washington Post backs Hillary Clinton for president

One of America’s leading daily newspapers, The Washington Post has endorsed Hillary Clinton for president.
The most widely circulated newspaper in America wrote that the Democratic nominee is not just the lesser of two evils but is “dogged, resilient, purposeful and smart.”

Though Clinton isn’t trusted or liked by many Americans, the board writes in its endorsement, she has a level of experience in government that neither her husband Bill Clinton or President Obama had when they won the White House. The endorsement also points to the historic nature of her candidacy.
“We believe that Ms. Clinton will prove a worthy example to girls who celebrate the election of America’s first female president,” the board writes.
The board stresses that the endorsement isn’t just a reaction to Trump – whom they describe as “dreadful” and “uniquely unqualified to be president.”
“If we believed that Ms. Clinton were the lesser of two evils, we might well urge you to vote for her anyway — that is how strongly we feel about Mr. Trump. But we would also tell you that was our judgment. Fortunately, it is not.”
And the writers point to what they call “genuine flaws, missteps and weaknesses,” namely secretiveness and a willingness to profit handsomely from paid speeches. But her successes, both in the Senate and later in the State Department, make her a strong fit for the presidency, according to the Post.
“Anyone who votes for her will be able to look back, four years from now, with pride in that decision.” The paper concluded

My Wife Belongs In My Kitchen and Other Rooms – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has responded to the BBC interview with his wife, Aisha, where she questioned his leadership.

The President is on a state visit to Germany, from where he had reacted to the interview during a joint press briefing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The Associated Press reports that he laughed it off and said: “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.”
He also said that he had much more political experience, AP reports.
Aisha, in an interview with the BBC, had said that the president did not know most of the top officials he had appointed.
She said: “The President does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years.
“Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms, only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position.”
In the BBC interview, the First Lady refused to name those who had “hijacked the government,” saying: “You will know them if you watch television.”
On whether the President is in charge, she said: “That is left for the people to decide.”

EFCC Declares Goodie Ibru Wanted Over Alleged Fraud niyi 25 mins ago

Businessman Goodie Ibru has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

This was made known in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 12, by the agency’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren. It states Ibru is wanted in connection with alleged money laundering, conspiracy, theft, capital market fraud and diversion of billions of naira and assets of Ikeja Hotels to his personal use.

“The public is hereby notified that Goodie Minabo Ibru, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with a case of conspiracy, capital market fraud, stealing, diversion of funds and money laundering.

“He allegedly diverted billions of naira and assets of Ikeja Hotels Plc, owners of Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, Federal Palace Hotel, owners of Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, to his personal benefit.

“The 74-year-old Ibru is 5’11 ft, dark in complexion and a native of Agbara-Otoh, Delta state. He speaks English, Yoruba and Urhobo fluently. His last known address is No 5 Ogalade close, Victoria Island/Sheraton, Ikeja Lagos.

“Anybody having useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the commission through any of its offices located in Abuja, Kano, Gombe, Lagos, Ibadan, Maiduguri, Enugu and Port Harcourt.”

Emir of Kastina accused of marrying off abducted 14-year-old girl

Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman have been accused of marrying off, fourteen year old Habiba Isiyaku to her kidnapper.
The fourteen year old who according to her father, Mal. Isiyaku Tanko was kidnapped from school, Government Senior Secondary School, Kudun Kankara, Kastina State by one Jamilu Lawal, has been forcefully converted to Islam and married off by the Emir without her parents concept.
Mal. Tanko who was made to present his case by the Stefanos Foundation at a press conference in Abuja, stated that Jamilu had not only admitted to abducting his daughter but also revealed that she is presently being kept at the Palace of the Emir of Katsina.
He added that the Emir had informed him that his daughter had been converted to Islam and he had received the sum of N50, 000.00 as dowry from Jamilu Ibrahim, he also said the Emir had informed him that he will marry Habiba off to Jamilu in accordance with islamic rites and injunctions.
His words,
“My little girl was abducted on the 16th of August 2016 from her school. After my investigations, I discovered that Jamilu Lawal who lives in the same community was responsible for my daughters’ disappearance.
“I requested that a formal complaint about the incident be lodged to the Commissioner of Police in Kastina, Jamilu and his parents were summoned to the police station and he not only admitted to abducting my daughter Habiba but also revealed that she was presently being kept at the Palace of the Emir of Kastina.
“On arrival at the Palace, the Emir informed me that my daughter has been converted from Christianity to Islam henceforth, there is no longer any relationship between me and my daughter and we can no longer inherit each other.
“He further informed me that he has received the sum if N50, 000.00 as dowry from Jamilu Ibrahim for my daughter therefore, he will give her out in marriage in accordance with Islamic rites and injunctions.
He accused me of defaming him at the Police Station and I was threatened, intimidated and coerced to sign an apology drafted on my behalf in his Palace.
“As at today, I am aware that the Emir of Kastina has gone ahead to marry out my little girl without my consent, having received a dowry he is not entitled to receive, it fills me with so much pain and grief to realize that my daughter, who will turn 15 this Saturday the 15th may be celebrating her birthday in a forced marriage.
“I appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians and those in authority to help join hands to see that my daughter is released to me though the violations already done to her person may be irreversible. I further appeal that the Incident be well investigated and diligently prosecuted.”
Programme Coordinator for Stafanos Foundation, Mark Lipdo, a Non-Governmental Organization assisting the parents with the release of Habiba stated
“Habiba is a girl that just completed her Junior Secondary school and had very good grades, she had so much prospects only to be abducted, when her parents were invited to the Emirs palaceN she was brought out in a hijab and he told them that they no longer have any relationship with the girl anymore because she has been converted to Islam and that he the Emir of Katsina has now become the father of the girl and he can do whatever he wants with her.
“After a few days that the father was sent back, we followed with the Commissioner of Police to try to get the girl, we took a lawyer with us as Stefanos Foundation to stand with the parents to demand for their rights but the rights where denied, we petitioned the Inspector General (IG) of Police here in Abuja to see if he can secure the girls release but till date, he is yet to respond, we brought the parents to Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for help, to see if they can help secure her release and they said that they will be following the matter up with the IG, but up till today, nothing, we have been in this town for three days now we have not heard anything from CAN and the IG.
“The girl is a minor and things like this has to stop happening in this country because if it continues, people are going to result to self-help because where a person has been told his right but he it has been deliberately refused it, if the person has any strength, he will result to self-help.”