The APC while condemning the shameful assault on former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu in Nuremberg, Germany says the opposition party, PDP owes the country an apology for its support to IPOB in the past.
In a statement signed by APC’s national publicity secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu, the APC said, ‘It is clear that PDP and its other shortsighted co-travelers who were the main cheerleaders of IPOB owe this country an apology. IPOB hid under regional identity to perpetrate criminality having recruited some misguided elements and miscreants’.
See the full statement below….
The All Progressives Congress (APC) strongly condemns the attack on Senator Ike Ekweremadu, immediate past Senate President and serving Senator by members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday in Nuremberg, Germany.
Those involved in the despicable actions and the organisation they represent are unworthy in character. No Nigerian should be assaulted in the manner Senator Ekweremadu was.
It is an indecent action and it is below the acceptable standard of behaviour expected of our citizens whether in Nigeria or abroad. It is however regrettable that some of the people and organizations who had offered these irresponsible elements open support in the past are raising their voices now. It would be recalled that the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its leaders chose to play politics over a matter that called for collective patriotic actions when IPOB raised a terror group in the South East.
It is clear that PDP and its other shortsighted co-travelers who were the main cheerleaders of IPOB owe this country an apology. IPOB hid under regional identity to perpetrate criminality having recruited some misguided elements and miscreants.
Are we surprised by the PDP’s hypocritical reaction to the unfortunate attack on Senator Ekweremadu? No! The PDP and their leaders have acted true to type. This is what happens when politicians become myopic and allow narrow sentiments becloud their sense of judgement.
We all have a responsibility to collectively rise against evil wherever we find it and in whatever guise it appears. We hope lessons have been learnt from this unfortunate incident. SIGNED
Yomi Black has faulted clergyman, Mike Bamiloye, over his Instagram post asking Music stars and actors who began their careers inside the church to return to the House of God.
The actor and filmmaker in a post on Instagram, stated that there is nothing Bamiloye has ever done for his choir members that can beat what Davido has done for his personal assistant, Lati. See his reaction below…
Rotimi Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation and minister-designate has been promoted to the highest rank in the Catholic Church under the order of the Knights of St. John.
Amaechi was on Sunday, August 18th conferred with the Exemplification honour of the Knights of St. John from Grand Master, Nigerian Temple Noble and Exalted Knights of the Holy Cross Knight of St. John International.
His spokesman, Israel Ibeleme said Amaechi was conferred with the honour at the Pope John Paul II Catholic Centre in Abuja for his service to the Order and humanity for over 20 years. He quoted Monsignor Kenneth Enang, in charge of the Pope John II Catholic Centre, as saying that the promotion was premised on Amaechi’s support toward the growth of the Catholic church.
“We want to thank you Knights of St John’s, all the other knights, college of knights for the work you are doing for the church. For the support we get from the Knights in many areas not only the financial support but the moral support.
”The Knights built the seminary we have now at Kuje when Cardinal Ekandem Dominic was alive and many of the Knights have built churches and handed over to the church. We ask God to bless you and your good works and let your labours not be in vain,” Enang was quoted as saying.
According to Ibeleme, the former minister, while accepting the honour, expressed joy for the promotion and thanked the leaders and grandmaster of the Knight for considering him and his friends worthy of the promotion.
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Nigeria women national basketball team, D’Tigress after theyemerged champions of the 2019 FIBA Afrobasket Championships in Dakar, Senegal.
On Sunday, August 18, D’Tigress defeated hosts Senegal at the finals 60-55, and became the first team to win back-to-back FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles.
In a congratulatory message issued in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu on Monday, President Buhari praised the team for their remarkably synergized play to retain the title.
President Buhari hailed the team for their remarkably synergized play that enabled them to outpace and outplay all the teams at the tournament to retain the title they won in 2017, further consolidating their position as African champions with four titles.
The team were also commended by the president for their discipline, maturity and focuses all through the tournament, and deliberateness in promoting the Nigerian flag and accompanying virtues of resilience, persistence and dogged pursuit until victory was achieved.
President Buhari equally thanked all the officials and technical hands that guided the team to win the African title, urging them to remain focused on deploying such energy and talent in subsequent global tournaments.
Kevin Hart is the highest-earning stand-up comedian of 2019, according to Forbes.
The 40-year-old actor and comedian earned $59 million between June 1, 2018 and June 1 of this year. He previously topped the Forbes list of highest-paid comedians in 2016. Hart who holds lucrative sponsorships with Mountain Dew, Chase and other brands, completed a world tour in January, and released a new Netflix special, Irresponsible, in April.
Jerry Seinfeld earned the No. 2 spot with $41 million. Seinfeld has an upcoming residency show at the Beacon Theatre in New York and continues to receive payments from Hulu for Seinfeld streaming rights.
Hart and Seinfeld were followed by Jim Gaffigan at $30 million, The Daily Show hostTrevor Noah at $28 million and Sebastian Maniscalo at $26 million.
Gabriel Iglesias, Amy Schumer, Terry Fator, Jeff Dunham and Aziz Ansari rounded out the top 10. Schumer, who last appeared in the top 10 in 2017, was the only woman to make the list.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has condemned the shameful assault on former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu in Nuremberg, Germany.
Senator Ekweremadu was to give a keynote address at the Second Igbo Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany in that city when a mob, which identified itself as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), invaded the venue to attack him.
“It is incredibly absurd for anybody to blame the distinguished Senator for the violent criminal activities in his home base, the purported reason cited by the mob for the bewildering attack.
“Senator Ekweremadu, like all his distinguished colleagues in the Ninth Assembly of the Senate, is concerned about the insecurity and other challenges in that area and other parts of Nigeria. Senator Ekweremadu has also been at the forefront of the patriotic efforts to find lasting solutions to the challenges.
“The barbaric attack on Senator Ekweremadu at a forum to which he was invited to contribute to charting a course for the progress and happiness of Ndigbo debase our values as civilised people. It is most reprehensible and should be condemned by all right-thinking Nigerians,” Lawan said.
He urged the German authorities to identify those involved in the despicable act so that the law can take its course against them. Lawan also urged Nigerians to always reflect deeply and broadly before embarking on a course of action and advised the youth to ventilate whatever grievances they have along lines prescribed by the law and recommended by reason and democratic ethos.
The Senate President then urged Senator Ekweremadu not to be deterred by the incident from his path of service to his people and Nigerians in general, but to take it as part of the sacrifice of leadership.
The police in Lagos state says it has arrested five suspects over the clash between scavengers and area boys at Oke Odo area of Lagos state on Sunday August 18th.
Narrating what led to the clash, the spokesperson of the command, Bala Elkana, in a statement released last night, said at about 10am, one Alhaji Adekunle Habib of Ilepo market reported at Oke Ode Police Station that there was a misunderstanding between one Hausa scavenger and an Area Boy from yoruba ethnic group.
The area boy was carrying some goods on his head and was pushed by the Hausa boy in error and the goods fell down. Arguments ensued between the two parties which led to exchange of blows. Friends of the two parties joined in solidarity fight and other miscreants took advantage of the moment to steal and loot. They blocked Lagos/Abeokuta express way What started as a fight between two miscreants almost snowballed into ethnic crises, if not for the timely intervention of the Police. Police teams from Oke Odo Division were the initial responders. The Command sent reinforcements from the Operations Department, Rapid Response Squads, Taskforce, Tactical Units and Police Mobile Force. Divisions within the Area Command equally send reinforcements. The situation was brought under control and traffic cleared” Bala said
He added that no death was recorded but four persons sustained various degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.
He gave the names of the five suspects arrested over the clash as Kabiru Mohammed m’, Kabiru Adamu ‘m’, Bashiru Mohammed ‘m, Saliu Madu ‘m’ and Yusuf Amuda ‘m’
The Presidency has denied claims in the media that President Buhari has banned the importation of food into the country.
Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, gave the clarification in a statement he released on Sunday August 18th while responding to an article by Financial Times with claims that the President had banned food importation.
Recall that President Buhari on August 13th, announced that he has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop providing foreign exchange for importation of food into the country. Many took his comment to mean that Food importation has been banned.
However, in his statement released on Sunday, Garba said there was no ban on food importation. According to Garba, importers of the food items are still free to source their forex from non-government financial institutions towards meeting their importations.
The statement reads
“Your article ‘Muhammadu Buhari sparks dismay over policy shift on food imports’ (15 August) suggests the Nigerian Government is restricting the import of agricultural products into the country. This is simply incorrect. To be absolutely clear, there is no ban – or restriction – on the importation of food items whatsoever.
President Buhari has consistently worked towards strengthening Nigeria’s own industrial and agricultural base. A recent decision sees the CBN maintain its reserves to put to use helping growth of domestic industry in 41 products rather than provide forex for the import of those products from overseas.
Should importers of these items wish to source their forex from non-government financial institutions (and pay customs duty on those imports – increasing tax-take, something the FT has berated Nigeria for not achieving on many occasions) they are freely able to do so.
Diversification of forex provision towards the private sector and away from top-heavy government control, a diversification of Nigeria’s industrial base, and an increase in tax receipts – are all policies one might expect the Financial Times to support. Yet for reasons not quite clear, the author and this newspaper seem to believe the president’s administration seeks to control everything – and yet do so via policies that relinquish government control.
We look forward to the next instalment of Mr. Munshi’s bizarre and puzzling article series” the statement read.
The ‘live sex’ witnessed in the ongoing Big Brother Naija reality show seems to have gotten to the Federal Government as it has lodged a complaint with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The complaint led to arrangement for launch of a modified reality show where the true Nigerian culture will be shown, Nigerian food will be eaten and Nigerian dresses worn.
Otunba Segun Runsewe, the National Council for Arts and Culture Director-General disclosed this when paid a visit by the President of the National Council of Women Societies Dr Gloria Shoda. It is also expected that the NCAC will represent the 2008 Nudity Bill titled ‘A Bill for an Act to punish and prohibit nudity, sexual intimidation and other-related offences in Nigeria,’ sponsored by the former chairperson, Senate Committee on Women and Youth, Eme Ekaette.
“We are going to represent that bill You can’t fight a battle without a legal framework; we are definitely going to be conscious of that”, Runsewe assured.
“I will take up the issue of Big Brother Naija; I have spoken with officials of the National Broadcasting Commission because what is going on now is terrible. Having love affairs on screen is not part of our own culture at all.
“Let me use this forum to tell Nigerians that a new Big Brother Naija is on its way coming and we are working with Startimes. We are doing BBN that will reflect the true Nigerian culture. We are already working on it, all that will be eaten there will be Nigerian food, the dresses will be Nigerian dresses” he added.
On her own part, the NCWS President said she was concerned with the negative impact the live sex has on Nigerian youths.
Shoda said, “Having a live sex on stage is the thing affecting my sensibility and it is impacting negatively on the young children coming up. Does it mean that they can’t abstain from sex for three months? I’m condemning the sex content on BBN.”
Prof. Maurice Iwu, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday August 16 met the N1bn bail with two sureties which a Lagos state High Court imposed on him.
The former Electoral commission boss was admitted to bail of N1bn with two sureties in like sum after being arraigned before Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Lagos on August 8.
The Judge ruled that his sureties must have a property in Lagos, while the other must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 16 or a professor in any Nigerian university. They are expected to show evidence of three years’ tax clearance and required to furnish the court with their statements of accounts.
The judge said: “The defendant and sureties shall provide two of their recent passports for court record. The defendant shall cease all manner of communication either directly or by proxy with any of the witnesses the prosecution might call in this matter.
“The second surety must be a civil servant in the state within the grade of level 16 or a professor in any of the universities in Nigeria. The second surety shall provide proof of tax for three years prior to today. Must be resident in Lagos and as proof of address, he shall provide statement of account to which a passport photograph will be attached which the bank shall depose as the true identity of the account holder.
“The defendant shall keep the original copy of his international passport with this court and shall not travel outside the country without the approval of this court. Deputy registrar of the Lagos division shall verify all documents submitted by the defendant and sureties and pending the perfection of bail, the defendant shall be remanded in prison custody at Ikoyi prison.”
Prof Maurice Iwu however perfected his bail conditions on Friday after spending a week in Ikoyi prison, as confirmed by his lawyer Ahmed Raji (SAN).
Accused of laundering N1.23bn in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, the former INEC chairman is facing a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and conspiracy. He however pleaded not guilty to the charges before being granted bail.
An Iranian ship held by Gibraltar since July on suspicion of transporting oil to Syria has left port.
Marine tracking shows the tanker moving east into the Mediterranean and lists Kalamata in Greece as the destination.
Gibraltar earlier rejected a request by the US to again seize the ship, which has changed its name from Grace 1 to Adrian Darya-1.
The US made the last-minute request on Friday, a day after Gibraltar lifted its detention order.
Gibraltar said it could not comply with Washington’s request to issue a new detention order because US sanctions against Iran did not apply in the EU.
The ship now bears a new name – Adrian Darya-1
Tehran said it was ready to dispatch a naval escort to the Adrian Darya-1.
A British-flagged tanker seized in July remains in Iranian hands. There had been speculation of a swap if Grace 1 was freed, despite official denials.
A spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry said on Monday they were waiting for a court order before any possible release of the ship but said there was “no connection whatsoever” between the two ship seizures.
He also warned the US not to attempt to seize the ship in international waters. On Friday, the US issued a warrant for the tanker’s seizure, following Gibraltar’s refusal to comply with Washington’s request.
It is unclear why the ship is en route to Kalamata in Greece. Bloomberg spoke to two vessel brokers who suggested the waters off the small port could be a possible place for ship-to-ship cargo transfers.
What’s the background?
The ship with its crew of 29 – from India, Russia, Latvia and the Philippines – was seized with the help of British marines on 4 July, after the government of Gibraltar – a British territory – suggested it was heading for Syria in breach of EU sanctions.
The move sparked a diplomatic crisis between the UK and Iran, which has escalated over recent weeks and saw Iran seize a British-flagged and Swedish-owned oil tanker, Stena Impero, in the Gulf.
The Gibraltar authorities freed the vessel on Thursday after receiving assurances from Iran that it would not discharge its cargo in Syria.
The US justice department then filed a request to detain the ship on the grounds that it had links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which it has designated a terrorist group.
Why was the US request denied?
Gibraltar, in a statement on Sunday, said it could not comply with the request because Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is not viewed as a terrorist organisation by the EU, which the British territory is currently part of.
It also said that US sanctions preventing oil exports from Iran could not be enforced by the EU, reflecting what it said were “the very different positions and legal regimes in the US and the EU”.
There has been no response yet from Washington.
Iran’s ambassador to Britain, Hamid Baeidinejad, tweeted on Sunday that two specialist engineering teams were on their way to Gibraltar.
What about Iran’s relations with the West?
The Stena Impero, which was seized by the Revolutionary Guard on 19 July, remains in Iranian hands.
The UK has since announced it would join a US-led taskforce to protect merchant ships travelling through the key shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.
The British-flagged Stena Impero was seized by Iran on 22 July
Tensions between Iran and the West can be traced to the resurgence of another crisis – that over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Last year, Washington withdrew from a 2015 deal to limit Iran’s nuclear activities amid suspicion that Tehran was still trying to develop nuclear weapons, something Iran has always denied.
Since then, US-Iran tensions have grown after Washington imposed – and latterly tightened – its sanctions against the country.
The UK and other European countries have said they remain committed to the deal.
Nigerians excited as Enkay got evicted from BBNaija house, she became the 10th housemate to leave the reality TV show.
According to clips seen online, Cindy wanted to join Enkay play a game of ludo but rudely got rejected by Enkay
Many social media users have taken to the platform to condemn Enkay’s behaviour
When the five new housemates were brought into the house, a lot of BBNaija fans immediately pitched their camps with the ones they felt had the good looks and could bring drama. However, Cindy wasn’t considered to have either of those and has continuously been undermined and looked down on, by both fans of the show and some housemates too.
Just recently, a video clip went viral on the internet in which Enkay is seen basically shooing Cindy away in a rude manner after she wanted to join her in playing a game of ludo.
In the video, Enkay who has done very little to hide her dislike for Cindy, is seen expressly telling her she doesn’t want to play the game with her. Enkay goes as far seize the dices, repeatedly stating she does not want to play with her.
Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:
1. President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC at the weekend urged the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who are challenging the Feb. 23 general election on technicalities and evidential grounds.
2. Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu on Sunday placed a N1 million bounty on anyone who gives useful information about overseas travel itinerary of any Igbo leaders.
3. Big Brother Naija, housemates Joe and Enkay were on Sunday, evicted from ‘Pepper Dem’ edition. The two had the lowest number of votes among those put up for eviction.
4. The Islamic Movement in Nigeria on Sunday described a recent statement credited to the federal government that its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky had wanted to seek asylum in India before his repatriation, as part of a campaign of calumny by the government to cover its own gross misconduct in a foreign land.
5. The immediate past Senate President, Bukola Saraki; the Federal Government; IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu; social cultural group, prominent Nigerians and politicians, on Sunday, reacted separately to the attack on ex-Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in Germany.
6. The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) yesterday, faulted claim that its suspended Chairman, Okoi Obono-Obla had engaged in abuse of office and was reckless in his conduct.
7. Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, on Sunday, claimed that his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was concluding plans to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
8. Samuel Nwankwo, a Nigerian resident in Eastfield in Peterborough, UK, who swallowed 67 wraps of cocaine before taking a flight from Brazil to London was jailed for four years at the weekend.
9. Cult gangs invaded two communities in Rivers State at the weekend, killing at least 3 persons.
10. The Police command in Benue State on Sunday said death toll from Saturday’s gunmen attack on mourners in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state has risen to nine.
A Nigerian man identified as Shedrach was caught red-handed trying to sleep with his friend’s wife in Germany.
Shedrach who is said to be in good terms with his friend, got his wife’s number after he (friend) called him with her phone. Expressing his disappointment over the incident, the aggrieved man stated that his friend never took the long journey to see him but to sleep with his wife.
He further wondered how he wants his kids to see him now he has disgraced himself by trying to get down with their mother. Here is the viral video below;
Paris St Germain have won one and lost one of their opening two Ligue 1 games, while Rennes have recorded two victories
French champions Paris St-Germain fell to a surprise defeat as they threw away a goal lead and were beaten by Rennes.
Edinson Cavani, who had earlier hit the post, gave PSG the lead when he was gifted the ball by Rennes captain Damien da Silva’s misplaced backpass.
PSG, again without Neymar, had a chance to make it 2-0 but Kylian Mbappe also hit the woodwork.
Mbaye Niang’s curled finish made it 1-1 before Romain del Castillo headed in a cross from Eduardo Camavinga, 16.
Rennes had a chance to grab a third goal but Jeremy Gelin’s header hit the post, with Mbappe and Cavani both missing late chances to make it 2-2.
PSG only lost five Ligue 1 matches in 2018-19 as they won the title by 16 points, while Rennes, who came 10th last season, denied PSG a league and cup double as they beat them on penalties in the final of the French Cup.
Once again, PSG were without Brazil forward Neymar with the world’s most expensive player continuing to be the subject of interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Joe & Enkay who were evicted on Sunday, August 18th, 2019 are the Ninth & Tenth housemates to leave during the live Sunday night show.
Joe & Enkay faced eviction alongside “The Icons” Tacha, Ike, Elozonam, Cindy, Frodd, Khafi, and Omashola after losing the nomination challenge to “Cruisetopia” on Monday.
Earlier in the week, Seyi emerged winner of the Head of House challenge for the second week in a row, while Diane who won the Veto Power Holder challenge saved Sir Dee and replaced him with Joe.
On Sunday night, The BBNaija live eviction show featured an energetic performance from Nigerian rapper/singer, Lil Kesh who entertained the audience with his hit single ‘Efejoku’, and his other hit single ‘Shele Gangan’ and “Flenjo” whilst DJ Humility thrilled the crowd with hits back to back.
There are now 16 housemates left in the race to win the 30-million-naira cash and 60 million worth of prizes courtesy of Big Brother Naija.
Taribo West, the very talented Super Eagles defender, has disclosed how himself and some of his Super Eagles teammates used to sneak women, both local and foreign, into camp during national assignments.
Taribo who has since become a Pastor, disclosed this in an interview with Sports Extra.
“Sometimes we (the players) will import ladies from other countries and keep them in different hotels. As the competition progressed, more ladies would keep coming and going. It’s something we all did but my teammates won’t talk about it. I can talk about it now because I’ve given my life to Christ.
We normally kept the girls in different locations, but once everyone was asleep, around 2am, we would bring them into our hotel rooms. It happened in every tournament we competed in, from the Africa Cup of Nations to the World Cup.
We had a teammate who the other players waited for to bring in his girl first, because he always had fine women. Once we saw the shape and height of his girl, we would call our own boys to go out and negotiate for girls more beautiful than this player’s own. It was more like a competition for women amongst us then. We had crazy guys in the team but there was discipline, that’s why we had to sneak the ladies into camp.” he said
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advised members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to quickly join the ruling APC before they die.
The Vice President gave the advice jokingly to PDP members when he spoke at the 80th birthday dinner of former National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, which held on Saturday August 17th.
The Vice President who told a story of an American Republican Senator who told his bewildered family on his dying bed that he wants to cross over to the Democrat republic, said
“Let me tell a story of politician who was a long time life Republican politician in the US. He was lying down on a sick bed and was about to die, and he said, ‘I want to change my party, I want to become a Democrat so that tomorrow it will be announced that a Democrat died not a Republican’. You can see that we politicians very faithful and very loyal indeed. I can only ask our friends in PDP also to ensure that they cross over before they die! It is time for them to cross over”
Joe has been sent packing from the Big Brother Naija house after being put up for eviction via Diane’s use of her veto power.
Members of the Icons team which include Cindy, Elozonam, Enkay, Frodd, Ike, Sir Dee, Khafi, Omashola and Tacha were put up for possible eviction last week after they lost a nomination task. Joe got added to the team after Diane used her veto power to save Sir Dee.
Joe who was one of the 5 new housemates unveiled on the show, became the 9th housemate to be evicted from the house after he got the lowest vote.
Maliha Mohammed, a Kenyan Chef based in Mombasa is now the Guinness World Record holder for cooking for the longest hours.
The 36-year-old Chef cooked for 75 straight hours at the Kenya Bay Beach Resort, preparing 400 local and international cuisines. The previous Guinness World Record holder for the category was Rickey Lumpkin, a US-based chef who in 2018 cooked for 68 hours, 30 minutes and 1 second.
The mother of two achieved this feat in her third attempt as she cooked for 36 hours non-stop in May, tried again in July but only cooked 200 meals for 54 hours under the supervision of the records’ officials. The food she prepared will be distributed to charity homes as part of her initiative to raise awareness and to feed the less fortunate in Mombasa County.
Obinwanne Okeke, the CEO of Invictus Group got an attorney with the United States Federal Public Defender in Eastern District of Virginia to defend him after he failed to show up in court with a laywer for the commencement of his trial on two counts of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Recall we reported that the Forbes-rated young Nigerian ‘billionaire’ was arrested on August 6 in Alexandria, Virginia. His arrest came after FBI’s painstaking investigation upon receiving a petition from Unatrac over an unauthorized access by an “unidentified” individual who sent out an email with a fake invoice to the purchase department, defrauding the company of $12m.
Mr Okeke was first arraigned before Magistrate Theresa Buchanan on August 7, after the FBI team led by Marshall Ward also found out that he duped an American shoe manufacturer and used several e-mail accounts which have previously been linked to fraudulent activities online and flagged in the F.B.I. database.
He was granted a request of seeing a public health dental hygienist on the first day of his trial. Though it is not clear how long he has been having issues with his teeth, however the US magistrate ruled that the doctor must attend to the suspected fraudster in custody.
Wilfred Ndidi scored his first Premier League goal since January
Wilfred Ndidi’s second-half header earned Leicester City a deserved point and denied Frank Lampard victory in his first game at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager.
Chelsea took the lead when 20-year-old midfielder Mason Mount scored a memorable first goal for the Blues after robbing Ndidi of possession just outside the Foxes penalty area before beating Kasper Schmeichel with a low drive.
Lampard’s side started with real intent, Spain forward Pedro volleying into the side-netting and France midfielder N’Golo Kante denied a goal against his former club by Christian Fuchs’ fine challenge either side of Mount’s goal.
Leicester were much better after half-time and secured the point their second-half dominance warranted when Ndidi got between Spain right-back Cesar Azpilicueta and France defender Kurt Zouma to head in from a corner.
Both teams remain without a win, with Leicester on two points from two games, one more than Chelsea.
Blues fade again on Lampard’s homecoming
Despite opening the season with their biggest Old Trafford defeat against Manchester United since 1965, there was a carnival atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge to welcome a Chelsea icon returning to manage the club he spent 13 years playing for.
Lampard’s image adorned the front cover of the programme, while the 41-year-old was greeted by the sight of a huge blue-and-white ‘Welcome Home Super Frank’ banner when he emerged from the tunnel before kick-off.
Flames from black boxes leapt into the sky as Stamford Bridge reverberated to the sound of Chelsea fans singing ‘Super Frank Lampard’.
There were placards and scarves too and it was not long before the veteran of 648 Chelsea appearances was punching the air in celebration after Mount punished Ndidi’s hesitancy after the Nigeria midfielder received the ball from Jonny Evans.
Despite the heavy 4-0 defeat, Chelsea had started the game well at Old Trafford last week, hitting the woodwork twice before falling away badly.
Chelsea faded in this game too, especially in comparison to the aggressive start they made in the upbeat atmosphere created by Lampard’s return – although their midweek Super Cup exertions in Turkey may have been a factor.
While Leicester failed to muster a shot on target in the first-half, Chelsea managed three in the opening seven minutes including Mount’s goal, a superb low finish that left Schmeichel flat-footed.
Fuchs’ challenge to deny his former team-mate Kante was pivotal, while Mount headed another opportunity at Schmeichel before Leicester responded strongly to take the shine off Lampard’s return.
Chelsea fans displayed a banner welcoming Frank Lampard back to Stamford Bridge
Maddison inspires Leicester
Leicester are without a Premier League win in four games in a run that stretches back to last season, but their impressive second-half showing will leave Brendan Rodgers with optimism for the season ahead.
As poor as the Foxes were in the first half, they dominated after the interval and there will be a touch of disappointment they did not go on to seal victory.
Having managed just one shot in the opening 45 minutes, Leicester had 11 attempts in the second half of the match.
There are now few survivors from their legendary 2015-16 title-winning side, but in James Maddison, Rodgers has a player around whom he can build another impressive Foxes team.
The 22-year-old was the stand-out player in the game, not just content to distribute the ball intelligently but also threaten in the Chelsea box himself.
Maddison, who was called into the England squad last season, rounded Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga but from the byline could not pick out a team-mate to apply the finish.
However he then delivered the corner that Ndidi headed home for the equaliser as Chelsea were caught cold.
The former Norwich player blazed a late chance to win the game over the bar but, while the game seemed to pass title-winning hero Jamie Vardy by, Maddison’s energy and creativity bodes well for Leicester’s future.
Man of the match – James Maddison (Leicester)
James Maddison was outstanding as Leicester took control after half-time. He has created 50 chances from set plays in the Premier League since the start of last season – more than any player.
‘We need to be more clinical’ – what they said
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard: “It’s very early for us. We have to be patient as we are working towards something.
“Two or three nil would have taken the game away from them but we didn’t take those chances. That’s the story of our season so far. We need to be more clinical, for sure. It is defining.”
On the reception he received from Chelsea’s fans: “This is home for me and I really appreciated the support. It’s my club, I played here so long and I’m slightly disappointed we didn’t get the win but I’m thankful to the fans.”
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers: “It is my fault, the mistake [that led to Chelsea’s goal], because I ask my players to build in the game. But it was a brilliant response.
“We were outstanding in the second-half but didn’t win the game. We came out with a positive mindset and had chances to put it to bed. The most important thing is getting the players into those positions.”
Mount makes Chelsea history – the stats
Mason Mount became the first English player to score on his first home appearance for Chelsea in the Premier League since Paul Hughes did so against Derby County in January 1997.
Mount became the first English player to score for Chelsea under an English manager since Dennis Wise against Blackburn Rovers in May 1996 (Glenn Hoddle as manager).
Frank Lampard is the first Chelsea boss to fail to win any of his first three games in charge of the club since Rafael Benitez in the 2012-13 campaign.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has faced Chelsea on 13 occasions as a manager but is yet to register a victory against the Blues.
Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi’s goal was just his fifth in 90 Premier League appearances, and his first away from home.
After winning their first Premier League home game in 12 consecutive seasons between 2003-04 and 2014-15, Chelsea have failed to win three of their last five opening home games in the competition.
What’s next?
Both teams are in action against newly promoted teams next, with Chelsea at Norwich on Saturday (12:30 BST) and Leicester at Sheffield United (15:00) on the same day.
Michael Gove was questioned about what had actually changed since the document was produced
A leaked cross-government study warning of the impact of a no-deal Brexit outlines a “worst-case scenario”, cabinet minister Michael Gove has said.
Details from the dossier warn of food and medicine shortages if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Mr Gove, who is responsible for no-deal preparation, said the document was old and Brexit planning had accelerated since Boris Johnson became PM.
But he acknowledged no deal would bring disruption, or “bumps in the road”.
The leak comes as Mr Johnson is to meet European leaders later this week.
The prime minister will insist there must be a new Brexit deal when he holds talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to Operation Yellowhammer, the dossier leaked to the Sunday Times, the UK could face months of disruption at its ports after a no-deal Brexit.
And plans to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic are unlikely to prove sustainable, it adds.
The dossier says leaving the EU without a deal could lead to:
Fresh food becoming less available and prices rising
A hard Irish border after plans to avoid checks fail, sparking protests
Fuel becoming less available and 2,000 jobs being lost if the government sets petrol import tariffs to 0%, potentially causing two oil refineries to close
UK patients having to wait longer for medicines, including insulin and flu vaccines
A rise in public disorder and community tensions resulting from a shortage of food and drugs
Passengers being delayed at EU airports, Eurotunnel and Dover
Freight disruption at ports lasting up to three months, caused by customs checks, before traffic flow improves to 50-70% of the current rate
Michael Gove said “very significant steps” had been taken to accelerate Brexit planning
A No 10 source told the BBC the dossier had been leaked by a former minister in an attempt to influence discussions with EU leaders.
They added that the document “is from when ministers were blocking what needed to be done to get ready to leave and the funds were not available”.
Responding to the leak, Mr Gove said some of the concerns about a no-deal Brexit had been “exaggerated”.
He said: “It’s certainly the case that there will be bumps in the road, some element of disruption in the event of no-deal.
“But the document that has appeared in the Sunday Times was an attempt, in the past, to work out what the very, very worst situation would be so that we could take steps to mitigate that.
“And we have taken steps.”
Mr Gove also claimed some MPs were “frustrating” the government’s chances of securing a new deal with the EU.
He said: “Sadly, there are some in the House of Commons who think they can try to prevent us leaving on October 31st. And as long as they continue to try to make that argument, then that actually gives some heart to some in the European Union that we won’t leave on October 31st.
“The sooner that everyone recognises that we will leave on that day, the quicker we can move towards a good deal in everyone’s interests.”
Business minister Kwasi Kwarteng told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “I think there’s a lot of scaremongering around and a lot of people are playing into project fear.”
‘Completely insane’
But a former head of the civil service, Lord Kerslake – who described the document as “credible” – said the dossier “lays bare the scale of the risks we are facing with a no-deal Brexit in almost every area”.
“These risks are completely insane for this country to be taking and we have to explore every avenue to avoid them,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House.
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney said, in a tweet, that Dublin had “always been clear” a hard border in Ireland “must be avoided”.
The Irish backstop – the provision in former prime minister Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement that could see Northern Ireland continue to follow some of the same trade rules as the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the EU, thus preventing a hard border – was an “insurance policy” designed to protect the peace process, he said.
Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein’s deputy leader, accused Mr Johnson of treating the Northern Ireland peace process as a “commodity” in Brexit negotiations.
She said Ireland as a whole had been voicing concerns about a no-deal Brexit for months.
The SNP’s Stephen Gethins said the documents lay bare the “sheer havoc Scotland and the UK are hurtling towards”.
Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake said they showed the effects of a no-deal Brexit should be taken more seriously.
“The government has simply, I think, pretended that this wasn’t an issue,” he said
Ministers were in “a real pickle” since the “the US has said that if that border is jeopardised, we’re not going to get a trade deal with them”, he added.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday that a US-UK trade deal would not get through Congress if Brexit undermined the Good Friday Agreement.
The leak comes as the prime minister prepares to travel to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, before going to Paris to see French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.
Mr Johnson is expected to say Parliament cannot and will not change the outcome of the 2016 EU referendum and will insist there must be a new deal to replace Mrs May’s withdrawal agreement – defeated three times by MPs – if the UK is to leave the EU with a deal.
However, it is thought their discussions will chiefly focus on issues such as foreign policy, security, trade and the environment, ahead of the G7 summit next weekend.
Meanwhile, a cross-party group of more than 100 MPs has urged the prime minister to recall Parliament and let it sit permanently until the UK leaves the EU.
In a letter, MPs say the country is “on the brink of an economic crisis”.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also reiterated his call for MPs to work together to stop a no-deal Brexit.
Elsewhere, anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller said the government had “unequivocally” accepted it could not shut down Parliament to clear the way for a no-deal Brexit.
She told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “What they have said is, unequivocally, they accept that to close down Parliament, to bypass them in terms of Brexit – stopping a no-deal Brexit, in particular – is illegal.”
Ms Miller said she would continue to seek further reassurances that MPs would be able to pass legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit.
Anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller said the government had accepted it could not shut down Parliament to clear the way for a no-deal Brexit
Nnamdi Kanu has finally reacted to the attack on former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu in Germany by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
Recall we reported that the Senator representing Enugu West District was invited as a Guest of Honour to the second Annual Igbo Cultural Festival which was held in Nuremberg, and he was physically attacked by IPOB members.
Reacting to incident, Nnamdi Kanu described it as courageous act which will serve as a polite warning to those engaged in selling the collective interest of the “Igbos” to the Fulani caliphate.
He tweeted;
He tweeted, “the courageous act by IPOB at Nürnberg Germany is a polite warning to those engaged in selling our collective interest to Fulani caliphate. Nwodo, Igbo governors are warned.”
Ifu Ennada took a major swipe at her colleagues in the Nigerian entertainment industry who according to her wear fake designer clothes and shoes.
Alleging that these celebrities are embarassing themselves by not respecting the original designer, the reality show star advised them to wear nameless brands instead. Ifu Ennada further said that the league these entertainers are trying to impress know they are wearing fake designers, even though they wave it off with a smile.
John Lundstram has now scored a league goal in each of England’s top four tiers – 10 goals across the four divisions
Sheffield United crowned their first Premier League game at Bramall Lane for 12 years with a hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace.
Spurred on by a raucous home crowd, who were watching League One football three seasons ago, Chris Wilder’s team added to their point at Bournemouth last weekend with a precious win thanks to John Lundstram’s early second half goal.
The Blades are being tipped by many to get relegated, but they created the better chances and stood firm against a Palace side who earned more points away from home than at Selhurst Park last season.
The hosts should have gone ahead in the first half when David McGoldrick’s close-range shot was saved by Vicente Guaita in the Palace goal.
But Lundstram, who had set up that chance, gave them the lead early in the second half as he smashed in from 10 yards after Luke Freeman’s shot was stopped.
A frustrated Palace were limited to very little as Wilfried Zaha – making his first start of the season after a proposed summer move away fell through – was shackled by an industrious Blades defence.
The victory will be a fillip for Wilder, who out-foxed Palace boss Roy Hodgson with a 3-5-2 formation that continues to excel at both ends of the pitch.
Wilder, a former Sheffield United player, says he won’t compromise his style as he seeks to establish his side in the top flight but the early signs are that he might not need to.
Wilder’s team poses new problems for Palace
The last time Bramall Lane hosted Premier League football, it was for a defeat by Wigan in the pouring rain, which consigned the Blades to the Championship on the last day of the 2006-07 season.
That eventually led to a six-year stay in League One – but bathed in warm sunshine, Wilder’s team were boosted by their noisy supporters, who repeatedly sang about their journey to the Premier League under the former Blades ballboy, who they claim as “one of our own”.
Despite an early shot for Christian Benteke, which was saved by Dean Henderson, the hosts were on top for most of the first half but were let down by poor finishing as John Fleck and McGoldrick wasted chances.
United also claimed a penalty as Enda Stevens had his effort blocked by Joel Ward, but the referee David Coote waved appeals away.
Their profligacy ended when Luke Freeman, who replaced the injured Fleck in the first half, burst down the left and had his shot saved.
But the powerful Lundstram was on to send Bramall Lane into raptures.
Oli McBurnie also headed over as Wilder’s team pushed for a second, but marshalled by the excellent Oliver Norwood in midfield, they did not let control of the game slip and after holding on towards the end, sent their fans home with belief it could be a memorable season.
Palace can’t find a plan B
Palace were the sixth-best team in the Premier League away from home last season, based on counter-attacking style which suited some of their more skilful player such as Zaha and Andros Townsend.
But they were unable to impose themselves in this encounter and appeared not to have to the answers to United’s guile and energy.
Zaha was their most dangerous outlet, but when he was well marshalled by the Blades defence, they did not appear to have another strategy.
At times, the hosts’ tackling drew the ire of Zaha, who was also taunted by the Bramall Lane crowd for what they considered theatrical diving.
Three Sheffield United players were booked, including George Baldock, who was perhaps fortunate not to receive a straight red for a nasty tackle on James McCarthy.
Yet only a deflected shot from Townsend threatened the United goal in the second half, and Hodgson was left a passive figure as his side pressed in vain for an equaliser.
Having earned a 0-0 draw with Everton last weekend, Palace are now winless and goalless in their opening two games.
Man of the match – Oliver Norwood (Sheff Utd)
Sheffield United captain Oliver Norwood was the creative heartbeat of the midfield and made five key passes during their win
Wilder and Pep – the stats
Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Chris Wilder has won 77 league matches as Sheffield United boss – only Pep Guardiola, with 88 victories, has won more in that time among managers in England’s top four divisions.
The Blades registered their first top-flight win over Crystal Palace since April 1973. That ended a run of six top-flight games without a win against the Eagles.
For a third time in the past four seasons, Palace have failed to win either of their opening two Premier League games while also failing to score (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2019-20).
Palace have won only one of their past 11 Premier League matches in August, failing to score in eight of those games.
United became the first team since Norwich City in April 2012 to name a fully British and Irish starting XI in consecutive Premier League games.
Wilder is the first manager to name a fully British/Irish starting XI in his first two Premier League matches since Gary Megson did so in 1995 with Norwich City.
Phil Jagielka made his first Premier League appearance for Sheffield United since 13 May 2007 – 4,480 days ago. Only Wayne Rooney for Everton has had a bigger gap in appearances for a team in Premier League history (4,837 days between May 2004 and August 2017).
What’s next?
Sheffield United host Leicester City on Saturday (15:00 BST) while Crystal Palace are at Manchester United at the same time.
Former England, Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole has announced his playing retirement from football.
Cole, 38, was out of contract at Derby County at the end of the 2018-19 season and says he is now focused on coaching.
He made his professional debut for Arsenal in 1999 and went on to represent Crystal Palace on loan, Chelsea, Roma, LA Galaxy and Derby.
“After hard thinking it was time to hang up my boots and look forward to my next chapter,” Cole told Sky Sports.
Cole said he is currently taking qualifications with a view to move into a coaching role.
The London-born defender earned 107 caps for England and is the most decorated footballer in FA Cup history, having lifted the trophy seven times.
He also won the Premier League twice with Arsenal – including the 2003-04 season in which the Gunners went unbeaten – and once with Chelsea after moving to Stamford Bridge in 2006.
Cole won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2011-12 and the Europa League the following season.
After joining Derby County in January, he worked under the management of his former Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard and helped the club to the Championship play-off final, where they were beaten by Aston Villa.
Iconic
Congratulations to Ashley Cole on an incredible career. Enjoy your retirement – and good luck with whatever comes next! #ASRomapic.twitter.com/ogR54UpCY9
More than 100,000 people are holding another day of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, amid increasingly severe warnings from the Beijing authorities.
Activists and police have clashed over the past 10 weeks, but this weekend’s rallies have so far been peaceful.
The protests were sparked by an extradition bill, which has since been suspended by the Hong Kong government.
China, which has built up security forces in nearby Shenzhen, has likened the protests to terrorist activity.
The protest organisers, the Civil Rights Human Front, were denied authorisation for a march through the city, but police have allowed Sunday’s demonstration in Victoria Park.
The South China Morning Post newspaper tweeted a time lapse photo of the park filling up.
One of the marchers, named as Mr Wong, told the Reporters at the scene: “We have been fighting for more than two months, but our government has no response at all. We could just come out again and again.”
Large crowds also marched in the nearby areas of Admiralty, Causeway Bay and Wan Chai in defiance of the police ban.
Protesters seek to boost support
Analysis
Heavy driving rain did not dissuade people of all ages from attending, filling Victoria Park then spilling out to occupy major roads in all directions.
Subway railway stations were forced to close after being clogged with protesters heading to the rally.
Though permission to march was not granted by the authorities, the sheer weight of numbers around the park has meant that activists had to move into Hong Kong’s streets spreading across eight lanes at a time.
After increasingly violent clashes in recent weeks there’s been a concerted effort to win back broad public support in the push for democratic reforms here by placing a greater focus on larger peaceful gatherings.
How have recent protests unfolded?
The violence has intensified in the past few weeks, and police have frequently fired tear gas and rubber bullets.
Last weekend activists occupied the airport, leading to hundreds of flights being cancelled. There were further clashes with police on Tuesday.
The turmoil has plunged one of Asia’s leading financial centres into crisis. Many businesses remained closed on Sunday, amid fears of further violence.
What is Beijing saying?
The Chinese government hardened its rhetoric following the airport unrest, condemning it as “behaviour that is close to terrorism”.
It was the second time in a week that Chinese officials have publicly likened the protests to terrorist activity.
Some observers believe that the repeated use of such language suggests that China is losing patience with the protesters and signals that an intervention by Beijing is increasingly likely.
Thousands of armed police have been stationed across the border in Shenzhen.
What is the movement about?
It was sparked by a bill that would allow extradition from Hong Kong the Chinese mainland.
Critics argue that the proposal would undermine the territory’s judicial independence and could be used to target those who speak out against the Chinese government.
Sunday’s protest began in Victoria park
The former British colony has a special status, with its own legal system and judiciary, and rights and freedoms not seen in mainland China.
The bill – announced by the government in February – was suspended following mass rallies in June. But the protesters want it withdrawn altogether.
They are also demanding democratic reform and an investigation into alleged police brutality.
Boris Johnson will tell EU leaders there needs to be a new Brexit deal when he makes his first trip abroad as PM later this week.
The UK will leave the EU on 31 October with or without a deal, he will insist.
Meanwhile, the Sunday Times has printed leaked government documents warning of food, medicine and fuel shortages in a no-deal scenario.
A No 10 source told the BBC a former minister leaked the dossier to try to influence discussions with EU leaders.
The documents say the cross-government paper on preparations for a no-deal Brexit, codenamed Operation Yellowhammer, reveals the UK could face months of disruption at its ports.
It also states plans to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are unlikely to prove sustainable.
The dossier, reported by the Sunday Times, says leaving the EU without a deal could lead to:
Fresh food becoming less available and prices rising
A hard Irish border after plans to avoid checks fail, sparking protests
Fuel becoming less available and 2,000 jobs being lost if the government sets petrol import tariffs to 0%, potentially causing two oil refineries to close
UK patients having to wait longer for medicines, including insulin and flu vaccines
A rise in public disorder and community tensions resulting from a shortage of food and drugs
Passengers being delayed at EU airports, Eurotunnel and Dover
Freight disruption at ports lasting up to three months, caused by customs checks, before traffic flow improves to 50-70% of the current rate
The Downing Street source told the BBC the leaked document “is from when ministers were blocking what needed to be done to get ready to leave and the funds were not available”.
Michael Gove, who is responsible for overseeing the devolution consequences of Brexit, said in a tweet that Operation Yellowhammer was “a worst case scenario”.
“V significant steps have been taken in the last 3 weeks to accelerate Brexit planning,” he added.
Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “I think there’s a lot of scaremongering around and a lot of people are playing into project fear,” he said.
‘Completely insane’
But a former head of the British civil service, Lord Bob Kerslake, who described the document as “credible”, said the dossier “lays bare the scale of the risks we are facing with no-deal Brexit in almost every area”.
“These risks are completely insane for this country to be taking and we have to explore every avenue to avoid them,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House.
Irish deputy prime minister Simon Coveney said, in a tweet, that Ireland had “always been clear” a hard border in Ireland “must be avoided”.
The Irish backstop – the provision in Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement that could see Northern Ireland continue to follow some of the same trade rules as the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the EU, thus preventing a hard border – was an “insurance policy” designed to protect the peace process, he said.
The leak comes as the prime minister prepares to travel to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, before going to Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.
Mr Johnson is expected to say Parliament cannot and will not change the outcome of the 2016 referendum and insist there must be a new deal to replace Mrs May’s withdrawal agreement – defeated three times by MPs – if the UK is to leave the EU with a deal.
However, it is thought their discussions will chiefly focus on issues such as foreign policy, security, trade and the environment, ahead of the G7 summit next weekend.
ANALYSIS
Boris Johnson had been reluctant to fly to meet European leaders until it seemed a breakthrough was likely.
But – it still doesn’t.
When Mr Johnson meets the EU’s most powerful leaders – Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron – he will repeat his message that the UK is leaving, no matter what, at the end of October.
He will tell them face-to-face for the first time that the only way the UK will sign up to a deal is if the EU thinks again, and replaces the agreement brokered by Mrs May.
But there seems to be little chance of any serious progress in the coming days.
No 10 does not seem particularly optimistic and says it expects both sides will say their piece, then move on to other issues.
Anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller said the Government had “unequivocally” accepted it could not shut down Parliament to clear the way for a no-deal Brexit.
She told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “What they have said is, unequivocally, they accept that to close down Parliament, to bypass them in terms of Brexit – stopping a no-deal Brexit, in particular – is illegal.”
But Ms Miller said she would continue to seek further reassurances that MPs would be able to pass legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit.
Meanwhile, a cross-party group of more than 100 MPs has urged the prime minister to recall Parliament and let it sit permanently until the UK leaves the EU.
In a letter, MPs say the country is “on the brink of an economic crisis”.
It continues: “Parliament must be recalled now in August and sit permanently until 31 October, so that the voices of the people can be heard, and that there can be proper scrutiny of your government.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has reiterated his call for MPs to work together to stop a no-deal Brexit.
Speaking to the Observer, Mr Corbyn said his plan to be installed as an interim prime minister was the “simplest and most democratic way to stop no deal”.
The Labour leader has said, as a caretaker PM, he would delay Brexit, call a snap election, and campaign for another referendum.
But Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said Mr Corbyn was “divisive” and instead suggested Conservative MP Ken Clarke or former Labour leader Harriet Harman could head a temporary government.
Elsewhere, in a letter seen by the Mail on Sunday, Mr Johnson warned rebel Tory MPs their opposition to a no-deal Brexit was damaging the prospect of getting a new deal.
He said it was “plain as a pikestaff” that the EU will “not compromise as long as they believe there is the faintest possibility that Parliament can block Brexit on 31 October”.
A young rugby league player has been found dead in his hotel bedroom after making his debut for Batley Bulldogs last night.
20-year-old Archie Bruce and Batley Bulldogs scrum-half only made his debut for the West Yorkshire club on Saturday night (Aug.17) against Toulouse. His team lost 46-0.
Club chairman Kevin Nicholas said in a statement this morning: ‘Batley Bulldogs are greatly saddened to announce the passing of their player Archie Bruce who was found in his hotel bedroom early this morning having made his debut against Toulouse the previous evening.’
A statement by Batley Bulldogs this morning said: ‘We are devastated to announce the passing of our young player Archie Bruce (20), who was found in his hotel bedroom early this morning, having made his debut against Toulouse yesterday evening.
‘Archie’s immediate family have been informed.
‘Batley Bulldogs, the RFL and the RFL Benevolent Fund will be supporting the family while enquiries by the French authorities continue, with the club squad delaying their return to the UK.
England professional Alex Walmsley led the tributes, saying: ‘Incredibly sad news to wake up to, my condolences go out to his family, friends and teammates at both Batley and Dewsbury Moor. RIP Archie.’
Former Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain star Keith Senior tweeted: ‘Never nice to hear news like this especially at such a young age. Condolences to all his family and friends.’
England winger Jermaine McGillvary said: ‘Such shocking news. RIP Archie, thoughts go out to his family.’
Gavin Wilson tweeted: ‘Desperately sad news coming out of @BatleyRLFC this morning. Condolences to everyone at the club and friends & family of Archie Bruce. Just 20 years old and his first ever game. So, so sad.’
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has condemned in its entirety, the attack on the former deputy senate president and current serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ike Ekweremadu at the 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Festival held in Nuremberg, Germany yesterday Saturday August 17th.
Senator Ekweremadu who was attending as a speaker/special guest of honor at the event organized by the Ndi-igbo Germany community was beaten up and egged publicly.
In a statement released this morning, Dabiri-Erewa described the incident as ”an embarrassment to the country”
According to her, some of the culprits who perpetrated the act have been apprehended. She called on the German government and law enforcement agencies to ensure that there are consequences for their actions.
It is also shamefully pathetic that an event which was nobly put together by the Ndi-Igbo community in Germany whose members make up the majority of Nigerians living in Germany, to amongst other things provide a forum for the Diasporans and various stakeholders to network and to facilitate a better cooperation between German and Nigerian businesses, ended up in such a disgraceful manner.
We appeal to Nigerians to be of good behavior wherever they find themselves because such incidents tarnish the image of the country” her statement read.
Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham has shared her first Instagram post since she welcomed her son and got engaged.
Toyin who has been in the news all week long wrote, ‘motherhood is a journey. A reality check where you realise that your life is no longer your own. Even in labour room, to live or not-to is in the hand of God’.
I am super grateful for the opportunity. I pray all expectant mothers deliver safely and those looking unto God for fruits of the womb will get visited by God. I am super grateful for the outpouring of love and gift. Eshe gan.
May good things never depart from.our lives. I will be back. Motherhood is not a lone journey, I am grateful I have people around me to go on the journey with me. NB: With this kind of tummy, will I have flat tummy again like this? cc @kolawoleajeyemi. I recorded everything where,when and how i had our baby
A shocking incident occurred in the Big Brother reality TV show between Frodd and Esther on Saturday which has since gone viral on social media.
Big Brother Pepper Dem housemates, Frodd and Esther
All the housemate had retired to bed after the fun-filled party, one of them, Frodd, who was apparently high on alcohol and love, attempted to forcefully have sexual intercourse with his fellow housemate and love interest, Esther.
READ ALSO : #BBNaija: Why Big Brother May Disqualify Frodd Like Kemen Over Esther
However, she stopped him in his tracks after he had pulled off his pants half-way.
Esther pushed him away and warned him seriously, stressing that she was not playing with him.
The love struck housemate replied asking her how come she still has plenty energy because he thought she was also constipated.
Big Brother, who doesn’t condone such act, called Frodd into the Diary room.
This video of a baby girl consoling her male daycare mate has won the hearts of many online. Watch the cute video shared by the mother of the boy below…
Best9jamusic No1 Best Music And Entertainment Website
