The Labour Party, in a swift reaction to the federal government’s position on the conclusion of the European Union over the 2023 election, described the Presidency’s comment discrediting the report as medicine after death.

The party in a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Pastor Obiora Ifoh said the report from the EU was one out of many international observers who had submitted that the election was rigged in favour of the ruling party.

The Statement reads: “The leadership of the Labour Party has noted with dismay the statement by the Federal Government discrediting the European Union’s conclusion on the 2023 General Election wherein it faulted the modalities by which the conclusion was reached.

“We see this face-saving measure by the Federal Government which is coming days after the submission of the report as feeble and medicine after death.

“It will interest the government to note that the European Union’s report is only one out of numerous submissions by other international Observers who have described the outcome of the election as a sham and an exercise that did not reflect the will of the majority of Nigerians.

“Labour Party stands by the position of the EU observation mission. We have always said that this election was massively rigged in favour of the APC and their candidate.

“What the FG is saying is just an afterthought and a shameless effort to mask the obvious. Even the blind can see, the deaf can hear and they know this election was manipulated.

“Huge pieces of evidence are abound for even the deaf and the blind to hear and feel. We are only hoping that the judiciary will dispense justice without fear or favour in the interest of the nation and posterity.

“Nigerians already know the true winner of the 2023 presidential election and no amount of slandering, denial, or rebuttal can change the fact that the party in power has no mandate of the electorate.

“We must also note that whatever position the INEC has taken is with active connivance with the Federal Government to deny the electorate and it clearly shows that INEC is not in any way independent.

“The Commission’s action is at the whims and caprices of the government and we know it. But Nigerians looking to the Judiciary for justice. That’s where we stand,” Obiora stated in the statement.

The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, has vowed to stop the Monday sit-at-home in his constituency with immediate effect. 

Ubah said the adverse effects the exercise has so far inflicted on the commercial, economic, and well-being of the South-East residents have become so devastating that the exercise has to be tackled with every strength it deserves.

He urged the people of his constituency to start opening for business on Mondays, starting today, saying that adequate security measures and equipment have been put in place to ensure water-tight security of lives and properties.

The senator stated these at the Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium, Nnewi, Anambra State, on Sunday, when he addressed the state vigilante and community security watch operatives from the four quarters of Nnewi, comprising Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewi-Ichi.

He used the avenue to unveil a number of security gadgets and equipment he procured for security operations in the Nnewi constituency and environs while tasking the vigilante operatives to ensure water-tight security for the people.

He said, “The abrogation of the self-inflicted injury called Monday sit-at-home would start from this Monday, July 3. We are going to march on a road show across various markets and roads tomorrow (Monday) to demonstrate to the people that they are safe and should start coming out for business on Mondays.

“The vigilante operatives have been charged to beef up security around all the major markets in Nnewi and ensure that traders and their goods are given adequate protection from the so-called unknown gunmen this Monday and subsequent Mondays to stamp out the cankerworm called sit-at-home.

“Monday is a serious day for business and economic activities, but the sit-at-home has spoiled businesses, commerce, and economy in the region. It has thrown our youth out of jobs and this cannot continue. The Nnewi community used to be known as an industrial area, but the sit-at-home has dealt with the once-industrial hub of Africa. This cannot continue.

“I have procured a number of security gadgets and equipment such as CCTV cameras, patrol vans, motorcycles, walkie-talkies, wooden ‘osisi agaga’ from Nnewi evil forests and I am handing these equipment over to the vigilante operatives to help them in tackling any resultant security breach that may arise as we resolve to end this cankerworm called ‘sit-at-home’.”

The Indigenous People of Biafra initiated the Monday sit-at-home in 2021 to protest the rendition and detention of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Although the exercise had been suspended, the people have continued to observe it for fear of attack by hoodlums.

Speaking on Kanu’s continuous detention, Ubah said, “I am sure he will come out from detention sooner or later. We in the 10th national assembly are going to give Kanu’s case a new legislative option to facilitate his freedom and I have even personally initiated a move towards that direction.

“It is one Simon Ekpa in Finland who is promoting the sit-at-home and using it to inflict injuries and fear on our people. We cannot allow him to continue to destroy our economic base while he stays in Finland without feeling the pain.

“Ekpa has continued to mention my name during his broadcast in Finland and he has mentioned my name 17 times. He is from Ebonyi State, he should come home and feel the pain we are feeling. He has nationalised in Finland, where he is currently contesting for a councillorship seat, and he has the effrontery to dictate to us how to sit at home on Mondays here in Igbo land.

“We will forgive Ekpa for the injuries he has inflicted on us so far, but if he continues, we will deal with him furiously. He should leave Anambra State alone. We are warning him to steer clear of Nnewi with his sit-at-home order forthwith.”

The senator lamented that for the past two years, Ekpa had been enforcing his sit-at-home order in the South-East, despite the huge misfortune and hardship that came with it.

“Enough is enough and we have resolved in agreement with our constituents that there will be no more observation of sit-at-home orders in Nnewi from Monday, July 3, 2023.

“We have cooperated to obey the sit-at-home order all this while, but we have also found out that we are losing our economic base, jobs, and business opportunities.

“As a representative of the good people of Anambra South senatorial district, Nnewi North is the political capital of Anambra South, I deem it fit to say we will not continue to have sit-at-home on Mondays.

“From this Monday, every business area in Nnewi shall be open for business. We have our men; we have our system. I know saboteurs will try to sabotage our efforts, but we’re resolved to fight any aggressor that will come into this town,” Ubah added.

The senator noted that he had made available between 6,000 and 10,000 street lights at several strategic places in Anambra South, adding that about 300 invisible security cameras, solar systems embedded with CCTV and tracking devices, in addition to wireless security cameras, have been provided for security surveillance across Nnewi to ward off insecurity.

Also speaking, the President-General, Nnewi Town Union, Dr. Maduako Atuenyi, warned that anybody who does not open for business starting Monday will have his or her business premises sealed for six months.

“By Monday, July 3, we will embark on a show of force, it is our economy that is suffering. Anybody that does not open his shop on Monday, the community will lock his or her shop for six months,” he added.

A Federal High Court, in Lagos has discharged 22 banks from a garnishee proceeding filed by Glonik Industries limited and Glonik Hotels limited, against the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), and its sister company, Pipeline and Products Marketing Ltd (PPMC) on a N4, 705,139,686.78 judgement debt.

The court presided over by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa had in a judgement delivered on May 16, 2023, in suit number FHC/L/CS/794/2020 filed by Glonik Industries limited and Glonik Hotels limited, ordered NNPC and PPMC to pay N4, 705,139,686.78 for the demolition of hotel building situated at number 33, Wamom Taofeek Street, New Okoba, Lagos belonging to the Plaintiffs.

Following the judgement, Justice Lewis-Allagoa also in a garnishee proceeding attached the judgement sum in 23 banks and directed them to show cause why the sums standing to the judgement debtors’ credit in it various accounts should not be attached to satisfy the judgement debt.

The court directed that all debts due or sums accruing from the Garishness to the judgement debtors be attached to answer a judgment secured against the debtors for payment of N4,705,139,686.78.

The court also granted an order attaching the funds in the garnishees’ possession standing to the credit of the judgment debtors to pay the debt or monetary sums due from the garnishees to the judgment creditors in satisfaction of the judgment sum.

Justice Allagoa also directed the named garnishees to appear in court to show to show cause as to why they should not pay to the judgment creditors the judgment sum from the monetary sums due from the garnishees to the judgment debtors, in satisfaction of the judgment debt.

But, when the matter came up, counsel to the judgement debtor, Mr. Wale Akoni, in an application urged the court to vary the garnishee order, and limit was to the 6th garnishee (Fist Bank of Nigeria Limited), submitting that the funds in the bank was enough to satisfy the judgement sum.

Consequently, he urged the court to discharge other 22 garnishees to enable the defendants carry out their businesses.

Justice Allagoa in a Bench ruling granted the request and discharged other garnishees with the exception of the 6th garnishee.

The plaintiffs, (Glonik Industries limited and Glonik Hotels limited) had in their statement of claim stated that sometime in 2017, the defendants invaded the 1st plaintiff’s property which the 2nd plaintiff used for its hotel/hospitality business on the pretext that NNPC (1st Defendant) pipeline was being vandalized from the property, arrested some members of the staff of the 2d plaintiff alongside the chairman, sealed the property and stationed their task force at the property denying the plaintiff access to the property.

The plaintiffs added that the entire building was then demolished by the defendant, adding that the demolition was done without an order of court.

Specifically, the 1st Plaintiff stated that it obtained building approval from the Lagos State government before the building was erected on the land.

Consequently, the plaintiffs sought for “a declaration that the sealing, demolishing of their building situate at 33, Wamom Taofeek Street, by Social Club Road, New Okoba, Lagos and carting away of all items was illegal.

“The sum of N840,879,686.75 being the fair and estimated value to replace the hotel building situate at 33, Wamon Taofeek Street by Social Club, New Okoba, Lagos belonging to the 15 plaintiff destroyed by the Defendant.

“The sum of N3,863, 160,000 being the loss suffered as a result of the breach of contract between the 2nd Plaintiff and Ignite Energy Limited induced by the defendants as a result of the sealing and destruction of the plaintiffs’ hotel.

“The sum of N1, 000,000,000 as general damages, and additional N1, 000,000,000 as exemplary damages for defendants wrongly conduct.”

However, the defendants in their statement of defence/counter claim dated 13th of October, 2022 prayed the court for a declaration that the activities of the Plaintiffs of the Defendants’ Pipeline Right of Way at Atlas Cover-Mosimi are illegal and unlawful.

Therefore, the defendant prayed the court for, “an order for the sum of N500, 000,000,000 only to be paid to the defendants jointly and severally by the plaintiffs as general damages due to the Plaintiffs act of economic sabotage to the defendants’ facilities.”

However, Justice Allagoa in his judgement held, “in all the Plaintiffs have proved their case on the preponderance of evidence but the defendants have failed to prove their counter claim. Reliefs A, B, C is hereby granted as prayed. Relief E is granted in the sum of N1, 000,000 (one million naira)”

President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would today open their defence against the petitions filed by the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, respectively.

Atiku and Obi had last week Friday closed their cases at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) where they have challenged the conduct and outcome of the February 25 presidential election won by Tinubu and the PDP.

National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had on March 1, announced Tinubu of the APC as winner ahead of 17 other candidates that contested the election.

INEC declared that Tinubu scored 8,794,726 votes to defeat the two major contenders, Atiku of the PDP, who polled 6,984,520 votes and Obi of LP with 6,101,533 votes.

However, dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, Atiku, Obi, and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) lodged petitions before the court. They maintained that Tinubu was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast at the election.

In their joint please marked CA/PEPC/05/2023, the PDP and Atiku disputed the outcome of the election on the major grounds that INEC did not conduct the election in line with the Electoral Act (2022).

The petitioners went further and argued that INEC breached its earlier commitment to transmit the result of the presidential election electronically using the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV).

On their part, the LP and Obi in their petition marked CA/PEPC/ 03/2023, contended that the elections were marred by electoral malpractices and substantial non-compliance with relevant laws.

The petitioners are therefore among others reliefs, asking the five-man panel of the court to invalidate the declaration of Tinubu as winner.

Another petitioner before the Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel is the APM which is seeking nullification of the votes scored by President Tinubu and the APC on account of alleged double nomination of Senator Kashim Shetimma, who is now the vice president.

While Atiku and the PDP called 27 witnesses and tendered several documents before closing their case, Obi and LP called 13 witnesses and tendered tons of documents to close their case.

The APM, which opened and closed its case on June 21 called only one witness.

One of the star witnesses to Atiku and PDP and private lawyer, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, tendered Tinubu’s academic records from the Chicago State University and the president’s biodata obtained from INEC.

Led in evidence by the lead counsel to the petitioners, Chief Uche, the witness further tendered electoral documents in evidence to substantiate Atiku’s claims of electoral fraud allegedly perpetrated by INEC and Tinubu.

The documents tendered included Tinubu’s Form EC9 (affidavit in support of personal particulars); what they described as a certificate from the Chicago State University; NYSC discharge certificate (which the witness said contained the name: Adekunle); a party membership card and a certificate of service from Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc.

Also tendered were what the witness described as academic records of Tinubu from the Chicago State University; what he referred to as the actual certificate issued by the university; application for admission allegedly made by Tinubu in 1977; a transcript for admission from the South West College, in which the witness claimed Tinubu was referred to in the female gender.

Also tendered were a notorised judgment of a United States District Court and a print out of a Guinean passport, which the witness claimed belonged to Tinubu.

The respondents, INEC, Tinubu and the APC, objected to the admissibility of the documents in evidence and promised to adduce their reasons at the point of filing their final written addresses.

On their parts, Obi and LP tendered through their witnesses, polling unit results from 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as well as bundle of documents containing the total number of Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) that were collected in 32 states prior to the 2023 general elections.

Aside from tendering four video exhibits, one of which was a press conference, where Prof. Yakubu assured that results of the election would be electronically transmitted to the IReV portal in real-time using BVAS, Obi and his party equally tendered bundle of documents that contained the total number of registered voters in each of the states.

Other electoral documents the court admitted in evidence were certified true copies of INEC Forms EC40Gs; EC40G1; EC40GPU, which were reports of various polling units where elections did not hold.

A data analyst subpoenaed to testify as Mr Obi’s fourth witness, Eric Uwadiagwu, said about 18,000 result sheets obtained from INEC’s IReV were blurred.

The professor of mathematics at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, appeared in court on subpoena to testify as a petitioner’s witness.

He confirmed carrying out data analysis on the results of the presidential election obtained from the IReV portal

All the respondents had challenged the admissibility of all the documents in evidence, saying they would adduce reasons behind their objections in their final written address.

It is now the turn of the respondents to open their defence and deflate the claims of the petitioners before the court.

While the electoral body said it plans to call two witnesses, President Tinubu is to call 39 in addition to those to be subpoenaed just as APC plans to call 25 witnesses in addition to those to be subpoenaed.

Karolina Muchova reveals she used to look up to the great Roger Federer and that's probably one of the reasons why she is always looking to be aggressive and attack. Muchova, 26, made her first Grand Slam final at this past French Open.

At Roland Garros, Muchova didn't back down to anyone as she upset Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinal before falling to Swiatek in three sets in the final. “When I rewatch my videos from when I was 10 years old, you would find me there playing drop shots and slices and going to the net.

I think it was always there. [Ever] since I picked up the racket, I liked to play this way. Then when I was older, I looked up to Roger [Federer] and players like this, playing this aggressive, attacking style and I saw myself in that a little bit, in the way I would like to play the game.

That helped and I tried to play some similar shots and I just enjoy the game to play it this way," Muchova told The Guardian.

Muchova looked up to Federer

After a strong French Open run, world No 16 Muchova is hoping to also make a deep Wimbledon run.

This year, Muchova is making her fourth Wimbledon main draw appearance. In two of her first three Wimbledon appearances, Muchova made the quarterfinal. On the grass, an attacking style of tennis usually works extremely well. Traditionally, Czech women know how to play extremely well at Wimbledon.

In 2011 and 2014, Petra Kvitova won Wimbledon titles. Muchova doesn't remember what she was doing when Kvitova won her Wimbledon titles but noted she absolutely loves the grass.“I was probably somewhere in school. I immediately loved it, I love the surface and the way everything was working there.

You play one volley, you don’t have to play five volleys, like on clay. I loved the surface from the start," Muchova said.

[tennisworldusa]

Real Madrid, the legendary Spanish football club, appears to have taken a step back from its pursuit of French forward, Kylian Mbappé, this summer. This comes amid reports that Mbappé, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ends in 2024, is seeking a hefty €240 million for a transfer during this window.

Mbappé, who has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, recently ruffled feathers at PSG by indicating that he is not keen on extending his contract. This prompted speculation that PSG might transfer the star player this summer to prevent him from leaving as a free agent next year.

As reported by MARCA, however, it seems that Real Madrid is not holding its breath for a Mbappé transfer. The club believes they would only secure the player if he signs a contract after he begins negotiations on January 1, 2024.

Notably, a move to Real Madrid is contingent not only on the substantial transfer fee but also on the player's sizeable personal package. The club has reportedly decided to postpone its pursuit until next summer when Mbappé could be available as a free agent, eliminating the transfer fee from the equation.

As the Kylian Mbappé saga continues, it is important to note that nothing is set in stone. Premier League clubs are likely keeping an eye on the Frenchman, and there's a chance he might extend his PSG contract, as has happened unexpectedly in the past.

In the face of these developments, the Spanish giants are said to be exploring alternative options. Despite their well-documented desire to sign the gifted French forward, Mbappé's insistence on securing the best possible financial package has reportedly left Real Madrid feeling both frustrated and disappointed.

This latest twist in the Mbappé negotiation saga suggests that the prospect of the player moving to the Spanish capital seems increasingly remote. Real Madrid is now expected to pursue a temporary solution to complement striker Joselu, given that Mbappé will only be available as a free agent next summer.

While a potential move of Mbappé to Real Madrid in the future can't be completely dismissed, the Spanish giants' decision highlights their pragmatic approach to balancing high-profile acquisitions and fiscal responsibility.

[Btimes]

Yaya Toure says he asked Manchester City to sign Sadio Mane from Southampton when he was at the club.

He went on to become an integral part of Jurgen Klopp's side which won the 2019 Champions League and the Reds' first Premier League title in 2019-20.

"I always wanted to play with him [Mane]," Toure said.

Toure spent eight years at City from 2010-2018, winning the club's first Premier League title and the FA Cup.

Speaking on Match of the Day Africa: Top 10 about the Premier League's best African player, the former Ivory Coast midfielder, 40, said: "When I was at City, at the time when he was at Southampton, I highly regarded him and I was asking some of my superiors to just sign him. But in the end it just didn't happen.

"After that Klopp had the eyes to get him and now look what he did for Liverpool, he was brilliant. I like him, I like him as a player."

Mane joined Bayern Munich in June 2022 for £35m after scoring 120 goals in 269 games and winning six major honours at Anfield.

Toure says the Senegal captain is a "big example" for his work outside of football.

In March 2020 Mane donated £41,000 to his national committee fighting against coronavirus. He also donated 300 Liverpool shirts prior to Liverpool's 2018 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid for locals in his hometown of Senegal to wear during the game.

"The way he deals with things smoothly and the support he gives back to his people in his country is incredible, with what he's been involved with," Toure added.

"Some days I get mad when I read media about him and a journalist will ask him, 'Why don't you have a Ferrari and things', and he says, 'No, I don't need it, I prefer to have a normal car than have a Ferrari'.

"Two months later we see him, he's been doing things back in his home country, he's a big example."

[BBC]

Manchester City are ready to improve their Treble-winning squad by securing the signing of RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol.

The 21-year-old central defender has made 88 appearances for the club since leaving boyhood side Dinamo Zagreb in 2020 - and is one of the most highly-rated young stars on the planet.

A 21-cap Croatia international, Gvardiol could be on his way to the Premier League this summer after the latest update from his club chairman.

RB Leipzig director Max Eberl said: "I can confirm that Josko Gvardiol and agents told us about their desire to move to Manchester City."

The sim of £86million would surpass what Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire, while giving stern competition to the likes of John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Manuel Akanji.

The left-footed centre back, who has also played at left-back in the past, has been the target of several high-profile clubs in recent seasons.

However, he had a game to forget when taking on City last season as Erling Haaland scored five-goals in a 7-0 defeat at the Etihad.

The desire of the player to join City will be key for negotiations, with his contract running until the summer of 2027.

City have plenty of time to get a deal done with the transfer window not closing until 11pm on September 1.

City have also saved cash by choosing not to pursue a move for West Ham skipper Declan Rice after having a bid worth up to £90m rejected.

City CEO Ferran Sorriano then said: "We are not the top net-spenders of last year or the last three or five years. We have a platform where we know what to do and we can do it with time and intelligence.

"When we don't like a deal, we walk away and we don't panic."

[DailyStar]