Human Right Lawyer says INEC’s declaration of Ogah as Abia Governor illegal

Human rights lawyer, Ebun-OIu Adegboruwa tells BAYO AKINLOYE that the action of the Independent National Electoral Commission of issuing Certificate of Return to Uchechukwu Ogah is illegal and can cause chaos

Despite a stay of execution filed by Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State against Justice Okezie Abang’s ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday issued a Certificate of Return to Sampson Ogah, a runner-up to Ikpeazu in the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship primary in the state. What is your view on this?

There is a grand conspiracy laced with a hidden agenda by the ruling All Progressives Congress entrench a one-party state in Nigeria and this is with the consent of the President (Muhammadu Buhari) whose body language has reflected a preference for dictatorship. The president is fighting the National Assembly and the judiciary; virtually, all the two organs of government are to be silenced and muzzled. In law, once Governor Ikezie Ikpeazu has filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal, followed with a stay of execution of the judgment (handed down by Justice Abang) no authority in Nigeria is entitled to enforce that judgment until that application has been decided.

Wimbledon: Serena Williams cruise pass Annika Beck in style

Serena Williams kept her Wimbledon title defence on track on Sunday, downing Germany’s Annika Beck 6-3, 6-0 with a crushing display of power and booming serves to chalk up her 300th grand slam victory.

Williams looked in no mood to follow the men’s top seed Novak Djokovic out of tournament after his shock defeat on Saturday and treated the middle Sunday party crowd to an imperious 51-minute performance.

Warning her last-16 opponent, the Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, that there is more to come, the world No1 said: “I thought it was good. I still want to get out to a little bit of a faster start but I was really focused and calm today.”

West Ham co-owner says Club could lose Payet to Barcelona or Real Madrid

West Ham could lose Dimitri Payet to Barcelona or Real Madrid, according to Hammers co-owner David Gold.

The France international, 29, is shining at Euro 2016 after an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League following his move from Marseille, which was reported to be worth £10.7million.

Gold insisted West Ham are desperate to keep Payet, but acknowledged that Barca or Madrid could be too difficult to fend off if his player wanted to join them.

Grzegorz Krychowiak completes move to PSG from Sevilla

Grzegorz Krychowiak has completed a deal to join Paris Saint-Germain from Sevilla, signing a five-year contract in the French capital.

The 26-year-old arrived at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan from Reims in 2014 and made 90 appearances for the Liga outfit, helping them to two Europa League titles.

The midfielder caught the eye as Poland reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals in France and scored the winning penalty in the last-16 shootout victory over Switzerland.

The deal sees Krychowiak link up with former Sevilla boss Unai Emery, who has taken over from Laurent Blanc as PSG coach.

Arsenal seal deal for Japanese striker Takuma Asano

Arsenal has secured a deal to sign Japan striker Takuma Asano from Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The Gunners confirmed on Sunday that a deal has been agreed in principle "subject to the completion of a medical and regulatory processes".

Arsenal did not give any details over the length of contract that has been agreed with Asano, but manager Arsene Wenger was delighted to land the 21-year-old.

Wenger said: "Takuma is a talented young striker and very much one for the future.

Graziano Pelle apologises for penalty miss against Germany #EURO2016

Italy striker Graziano Pelle has apologised for his penalty miss in the quarter-final shootout defeat to Germany at Euro 2016 on Saturday.

The Southampton attacker was one of four Italians to miss from the spot, the game having ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, with Simone Zaza, Leonardo Bonucci and Matteo Darmian also failing to find the net.

Pelle was heavily criticised for his antics ahead of his penalty, making a Panenka-gesture toward Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and he has now apologised for his miss.

Guardiola will deliver silverware - Kelechi Iheanacho

Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho is looking forward to working with Pep Guardiola and is confident the new manager can lead the team to silverware.

City won the League Cup in Manuel Pellegrini's last season in charge, defeating Liverpool on penalties in the final at Wembley.

They had to settle for fourth in the Premier League, while reaching the Champions League semi-finals, but Iheanacho is confident they will be challenging for major trophies again in 2016-17.

23 Electrical Companies blacklisted by SON for failing Compliance Test

No fewer than 23 electrical companies operating in Nigeria have reportedly failed the compliance and laboratory test of the Standards Organization of Nigeria, (SON).

The Head of Ekiti State office of the agency, Mrs Serah Idowu announced at the weekend in a statement in Ado-Ekiti that the affected companies were involved mostly in the production of electrical items such as bulbs, plugs, wire and cables.

She said findings had shown that many items manufactured by the affected companies had flooded most of the nation’s markets and outlets.

She explained that SON decided to expose status and activities of the erring manufacturers so as to curtail possible fire outbreaks in homes and offices which the fake and sub-standard products they were making may cause.

Transfer News: Michy Batshuayi completes move to Chelsea FC

Michy Batshuayi is now a Chelsea player after the Premier League club completed a €40million deal to sign the striker from Marseille on Sunday.

The Belgium international has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Blues.

Batshuayi becomes Antonio Conte’s first signing at Stamford Bridge. The 22-year-old was linked with Crystal Palace, after scoring 17 times in 36 appearances for Marseille last summer. But Chelsea quickly moved to get their man.

19-year-old girl abducted by Okada rider in Ondo (PHOTO)

A resident of Owo Local Government in Ondo State, Mr Bola Abdulkareem at the weekend explained how his 19-year-old child, Moyinoluwa was kidnapped by a yet to be identified Okada rider, while returning home from a bank last Friday.

Abdulkareem, who said Moyinoluwa had not been released by her abductor, said she spoke to him once since the incident occurred.

Already, the matter has been reported to the Owo Police “A” Division.

Niger Delta Avengers allegedly blow up NNPC amidst proposed peace talk

Federal government’s proposed peace talks with rampaging Niger Delta militants on Sunday morning suffered a major setback as the Niger Delta Avengers blew up several oil facilities belonging to Chevron and Nigerian Petroleum Development Corporation.

Affected in the renewed hostility include two major oil wells, wellhead 7 and 8 situated near Abiteye flow station in Warri South West Council Area of Delta state.

MIRACLE! After 14 years of marriage, 49 year old woman gives birth to a set of twins (PHOTOS)

49-year-old Mrs Isang pictured with her husband dedicated their set of twins today at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Victory house in Festac town, Lagos. 

According to Mrs Isang, she waited for a child for 14 years after marriage. 

Ghana Boxer Bukom Banku who was slammed for bleaching says he's stopped bleaching

A TV/Radio host Israel Laryea, who was on the flight with Bukom Banku today, said that the boxer revealed that he had stopped bleaching his skin. The 35-year-old earlier said he bleached to look like a German. "My wife told me to bleach myself so we can look like German people" he said.

(PHOTOS) Lifeless body of a student found at Delta State University School Staff Quarters

A female student of Delta state Polytechnic Otefe, Delta state identified as Toju Udu, was found dead at the school's staff quarters junction yesterday Saturday, July 2nd. No one knows how she died. Meanwhile, her remains have been deposited at the state morgue while investigations by the police have begun.

Bizarre! See mystery tree that bears fruit in the shape of women

A sacred tree in Thailand which bears fruit in the shape of young women appears to have been captured on camera.

Footage of the suggestively shaped green fruits has divided social media, leaving some shocked but others less convinced.Some have suggested the clip depicts a Nariphon, a holy Buddhist tree which grows the fruit of young female creatures.

According to reports, in Buddhist mythology, a tree is known as the Nariphon bears the fruit of young female creatures and is said to grow in the mythical forest called Himaphan. 

Jamaica to mount Cannabis ATMs at is Airport so tourist can get access to weed on arrival

Jamaica is planning to open cannabis 'ATMs' in its airports - allowing tourists the chance to get hold of weed as soon as they arrive in the country.

The country is looking at ways to cash in on the drug after it was decriminalised last February. 

The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has now started to look at ways to introduce these dedicated desks where visitors can pick up a licence for the 'good herb', Daily Mirror reports.

PHOTOs: Enrique Iglesias steps out with girlfriend of 15 years

Enrique Iglesias, 41 and tennis ace Anna Kournikova, 35 met on the set of  the Spanish singer's Escape music video in 2001 and have been dating ever since. And on Friday evening, the two shared tender moments while leaving The Palm restaurant in Beverly Hills.

PHOTOs: Kourtney Kardashian shows off her hot body as she enjoys time out at Miami Beach

Mother of three, Kourtney Kardashian looked sexier than ever as she showed off her toned figure at a beach in Miami.

Rapper Azalea Banks defends her decision to lighten her skin

Rapper Azealia Banks has defended her decision to bleach her skin after being called out for her lighter skin colour.

She said in a video she posted

Two Doctors in Connection with Prince’s Death currently under Investigation

Authorities have set their sights on two doctors that may have broken laws to supply Prince with the synthetic opioids that contributed to his death.

According to TMZ, the FBI, DEA and Carver County District Attorney’s Office are investigating his primary physician, Dr Michael Schulenberg, as well as addiction specialist, Dr. Howard Kornfeld.

Dr. Schulenberg was at Prince’s home when his body was discovered, but says he was only there to inform Prince of some test results. Dr. Kornfeld’s son was also at the house with a backpack loaded with synthetic opiates to treat addiction. Kornfeld’s lawyer says none of the opiates went into Prince’s system.

Walter Wagbatsoma arraigned in UK for laundering £12m over Subsidy fraud

Managing Director of Ontario Oil and Gas Limited, Walter Wagbatsoma, has been extradited to the United Kingdom from Germany to face money laundering charges.

According to a UK-based newspaper, Lincolnshire Echo, Wagbatsoma, 46, accused of involvement in a multi-million-pound fraud, appeared before Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

He was detained last month in Germany after Lincolnshire Police issued a European Arrest Warrant.

The Economic Crime Unit of Lincolnshire Police said it had been conducting a major investigation with the National Health Service involving offences of fraud and money laundering in excess of £12m.

NSCDC demolishes Houses built on pipelines in Ogun State

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has commenced demolition of houses and shops erected on pipelines in Ogun State, an official said.

According to Premium Times, the spokesperson of the NSCDC in Ogun, Kareem Olanrewaju, stated that the demolition started on Friday.

“The demolition exercise which started on Friday covers gas pipelines located around Oju-Ore in Ota, Adodo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State where some people in defiance to several warning by the Corps had erected different types of illegal structures on Shell gas pipeline that supplies industries in Sango and Agbara,” he said.

PHOTOs: Security Officer Returns $10,000 He Found On The Ground

A security officer, Mohammed Ibrahim Ogbanago, at United Bank for Africa (UBA) in a display of integrity returned $10,000 (over N3.5 Million using the current black market rate) he found outside his branch at Oba Akran.

Chairman of the UBA Group Plc., Tony Elumelu revealed this in an Instagram post on Saturday, praising Ogbanago’s “unparalleled display of integrity” even in the present economic crisis.

Mariah Carey, Kelly Rowland, others Perform at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival

The 2016 ESSENCE Festival held this weekend from the 1st of July to the 3rd of July. Known as “the party with a purpose”, the event held in New Orleans.

The event had quite a lot of artists lined up for the three-day festival which was headlined by Mariah Carey. Other stars that performed include Tweet, V. Bozeman, Maxwell, Babyface, Faith Evans and more.

Over the three-day event, there were talks, conventions and other fun activities lined up. See pictures from slide above.

Non-Govt Organization Commends Buhari for Empowerment of Internally Displaced Persons

Peace Reconciliation and Rehabilitation Initiative (PRRI), A Non-Governmental Organization, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the empowerment of returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the northeast part of the country.

The commendation from the NGO which has been at the forefront of championing the rehabilitation of returning IDPs through farming in the northeast is coming on the heels of the recent distribution of seedlings to returning IDPs by the federal government.

It will be recalled that the PRRI has recently empowered over 2,000 farmers in Borno, Yobe and Gombe States with seedlings, food and cash as part of its commitment to ensuring that the returning IDPs can become self-sufficient.

Multiple accidents kill 20 in Uganda

A pile-up on a busy highway outside the Ugandan capital Kampala left at least 20 people dead Sunday and injured several more, some seriously, police said.

“Twenty people have so far died and several are in hospital with major injuries,” area police spokesman Phillip Mukasa told AFP.

TRAGIC! Pastor killed by generator fumes 2 years After His wife, 4 Kids Died In Fire Incident

In a most saddening and pathetic twist of fate, 51-year-old Pastor John Kayoda of Christ Apostolic Church, Warri, who lost his entire family, a wife and four adorable children, to fire incident on September 25, 2014, died on June 26, 2016, as a result of inhalation of generator fumes.

The deceased who was recently transferred from Warri to Love District, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Ekapamre in Ughelli South Local Gov­ernment Area of Delta State a fortnight ago was residing in Agbarho, his hometown when the incident occurred.

Sources told Sunday Sun reporter that the deceased, an Urhobo, had placed the generator in the corridor of his resi­dence and slept off. Res­idents of Agbarho were saddened and grieved when news filtered in that the pastor was killed by generator fumes.

Actress Kate Henshaw says she has forgiven Comedian Akpororo and will attend his show

In a telephone conversation, Kate who spoke to Sunday Scoop, through her manager, Funke Kuti, said she has forgiven Akpororo and will attend his show .

According to Funke Kuti, Kate is a big sister to Akpororo, so she has forgiven him.

Sitting President or Government who commits any crime can be Arrested - Femi Falana

Femi Falana says a sitting president or governor who commits any crime can be arrested and tried, saying according to the Supreme Court ruling, there was no longer absolute immunity. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said immunity does not extend to electoral fraud and asked Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu to face the forgery charges against them rather than politicking about it, saying “they have no immunity to dodge the charges against them.’’.

He said this while speaking on: “Limit of executive immunity” in Benin to mark the 60th birthday of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Edo, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere

In Bauchi State: Two men arrested for killing a female antelope in Yankari Game Reserve

These two men; Halilu Adamu and Bala Garba were caught by Rangers yesterday at the Yankari National Park - a large wildlife park located in Bauchi State. According to the Management of the Reserve, they killed and slaughtered a female roan antelope and are notorious elephant poachers. Garba (right) was arrested in May 2015 for a similar crime and was sentenced to 6 months in jail, but he, however, returned back to the reserve this year to continue the illegal killing.