Chelsea Signs Burkina Faso Young-Star,Bertrand Traore


Chelsea FC have completed the signing of Burkina Faso midfielder Bertrand Traoré, with the 18-year-old joining the west London club on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

Attacking midfielder Traoré, who impressed as a trialist on the Blues' pre-season tour of Asia, arrives from Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso. He made his international debut shortly before his 16th birthday and featured as a substitute during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The teenager has ten caps to his name and is likely to be in the squad to face Algeria in a FIFA World Cup play-off.

Chelsea are level on six points with FC Schalke 04 at the top of UEFA Champions League Group E ahead of the Bundesliga side's trip to Stamford Bridge on matchday four

correction regarding the jury instruction yesterday

Received an email this morning from an attorney watching the trial. The charge to the jury did NOT contain that character evidence instruction of the previous post... instead it was a basic Allen charge, aka instruction to break a deadlock. Will advise as more info becomes available.

Schultz trial resumes deliberations tomorrow

10/30/2013 Event Scheduled: Trial Resumed Date: 10/31/2013 Time: 9:30 am Judge: LEIBOVITZ, LYNN Location: Courtroom 202 Happy Halloween, folks.

Beheaded : Wife Finds Ex-footballer’s Head On Doorstep


A former professional footballer’s head was severed and left on the doorstep of his home for his horrified wife to discover.

Ex-footballer Beheaded, Then Head Put in Rucksack, Left Outside Family Home

SEVERED : Brazilian footballer Joao Rodrigo Silva Santos’ head was found in a rucksack outside his home in Rio.

Brazilian footballer Joao Rodrigo Silva Santos’ wife found her husband’s head in a rucksack as she left their Rio de Janeiro home on Tuesday morning.

The 35-year-old’s tongue and eyes had also been cut out according to police.

Mr Santos retired from the game two years ago after a career which saw him appear for several Rio teams as well as clubs in Honduras and Sweden.

Ex-footballer Beheaded, Then Head Put in Rucksack, Left Outside Family Home

RIO: The murder took place in one of Rio de Janeiro’s poorer areas

Since quitting football he had started his own business selling health foods and various dietary aids.

Police believe the former footballer was attacked as he left his shop on Monday night after witnesses confirmed seeing several men forcing him into a car.

Investigators are looking into whether Mr Santos was murdered by a drugs ring due to his wife’s work at a nearby military police base.

New Video : Kcee ft Wizkid - Pull Over


New Video : Kcee ft Wizkid - Pull Over

DOWNLOAD VIDEO

Watch the video below:

New Music : Sarkodie ft. Wizkid, Ice Prince, E.L & Navio – U Go Kill Me (Remix)


Sarkodie – U Go Kill Me (Remix) ft. Wizkid, E.L, Ice Prince & Navio.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Kim Kardashian is more influential than Michelle Obama - Kanye West


The lovestruck rapper talked up fiancee Kim Kardashian in a new interview in which he claimed the reality star is more influential in terms of style than the First Lady Of The United States Michelle Obama.

Kanye, he said:
'There's no way Kim Kardashian shouldn't be on the cover of Vogue. She's like the most intriguing woman right now. She's got Barbara Walters calling her like everyday,' he said.


'And collectively, we're the most influential with clothing. No one is looking at what [Barack Obama] is wearing. Michelle Obama cannot Instagram a [bikini] pic like what my girl Instagrammed the other day.'

Ethiopia line up Burkina Faso friendly as part of their preparations for the second leg with Nigeria


Nigeria's World Cup qualifying play-off opponents Ethiopia have lined up a friendly against Burkina Faso as part of their preparations for the second leg with the Super Eagles on November 16.

The encounter is billed to take place in Ouagadougou on 5 November, with both teams vying for a spot at Fifa's showpiece event in Brazil next year.

While confirming the friendly, Ethiopia's coach Sewnet Bishaw disclosed that the game is aimed at preparing the Walya Antelopes for their tie against Nigeria, as well as for the upcoming Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

"We want to use this game to prepare well for the 2014 World Cup qualifier return leg against Nigeria," Bishaw says.

"We are already training hard preparing for the game. We also have the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup after the World Cup qualifier."

Ethiopia trail Nigeria on aggregate after a brace from Emmanuel Emenike gave the African champions a 2-1 win in Addis Ababa, while Nations Cup finalists Burkina Faso hold a slim 3-2 advantage over Algeria.

What Is Wrong With This Photo?


What is wrong with the photo above?

Photo : Annie Macaulay-Idibia Shows Off Her Growing Baby Bump


Annie Macaulay-Idibia shows off her growing Baby bump

Video : Arik Air Passengers Fight To Board Plane


Arik Air sold more tickets than the plane could carry.

The passengers were left stranded on the tarmac...Watch the video below:

Ojukwu's brothers seek paternity of Bianca's Children


Late Odimegwu Ojukwu's wife, Bianca is currently in a heated battle with her husband's brothers.

Bianca’s brothers-in-law have asked her to prove that she was legally married to their late brother, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu. Not only that, she was also asked to prove that her two boys, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu were actually fathered by their brother.

The reason for this war of attrition between Bianca and her brothers-in-law is not far-fetched. Bianca, on behalf of her two children, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu, had sued her brothers-in-law and her late father-in-law’s company, Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL), over some property which includes No. 29, Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos; No. 13, Hawksworth Road, Ikoyi (now known as Ojora Road)l No. 32A, Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos; No. 30, Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and No. 30, MacPherson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos.Bianca had in a Suit No. LD/1539/2012 filed before Justice Funmilayo Atilade of Lagos High Court, Igbosere, Lagos asked the court to declare that her children are entitled to possession and occupation of all these property. She had, through her counsel, Chris Ezugwu, to declare as illegal the threat by her brothers-in-law to forcefully eject her and her children from the property at No. 29, Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Bianca and her children through their counsel, are also asking the court to restrain the Ojukwu brothers, their agents or privies from interfering with their possession and control of the property.

ojukwu and bianca

They said that throughout the period, Late Odumegwu Ojukwu, in his lifetime, was struggling to retrieve the property from the government, his brothers were nowhere to be found. “They never played any role in the struggle nor contributed financially or otherwise to the realization of the struggle.”

But the Ojukwu brothers which includes Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Putalora Ojukwu, Dr. Patrick Ojukwu, Edward Ojukwu, Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Messrs Massay Udegbe, in their defence through their counsel, George Uwechue (SAN), averred that the subscribers of the OTL (Ojukwu Transport Limited) Memorandum of Association at Incorporation in 1952, were LP Ojukwu and Bertram Chukwuemeka. They added that the Late Odumegwu Ojukwu and Prof. Joseph Ojukwu were later appointed directors in 1953.

They averred further that Odumegwu Ojukwu ceased to be a director of the company, OTL, prior to the Nigerian Civil War and was reappointed director on December 16, 2005.

They alleged that Bianca and her children’s statement of claims contained tissues of lies and distorted facts.

That Bianca who instituted the suit is “being greedy for wanting to hold on to the company’s property.

They also stated that for over 12 years prior to his death, Late Odumegwu Ojukwu moved to Enugu State and since then had not lived at any of the company’s property as allegedly claimed by Bianca and her children.

They further averred that the property being claimed by Bianca and her children belong to OTL and challenged Bianca’s children to show proof of any such agreement their late father had with OTL for him to control and/or manage its property.

They also, in their statement of defence asked Bianca to show proof of legal marriage to the late Biafran warlord, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

They also demanded proof of the paternity of Bianca’s two sons Afamefuna and Nwachukwu.

Bianca children’s counsel, Chris Ezugwu was, however, absent from court on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, when the case was called. This necessitated Justice Atilade to adjourn till December 10, 2013. 

Lady Gaga suffers wardrobe malfunction after wearing big high-heel shoes and feathers


Lady Gaga battled to fit into a car due to enormous feathers protruding from her crown. 

The 27-year-old singer revealed a bit too much of her of her flesh as she arrived to film her segment on The Graham Norton show in central London.

See photos below:


Actress Kerry Washington is Pregnant For Her Nigerian Boyfriend


Hollywood star actress, Kerry Washington is said to be with child for her Nigerian hubby, Nnamdi Asomugha. The Django unchained actress is said to be 4 months long already.

This will be the first child for the Emmy-nominated beauty, who married San Francisco 49ers cornerback Asomugha on June 24 in Hailey, Idaho.

According to reports, the couple first started dating in the summer of 2012; Washington was previously engaged to actor David Moscow.

Jay Jay Okocha Celebrates His Wife’s 40th Birthday, Buys Her Mercedes G-Wagon As Birthday Present


Former Nigerian midfield, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, joins his wife Nkechi Okocha to celebrate her 40th birthday with a lavish party thrown on Friday October 25th at Civic Centre in Lagos.

Maestromedia reports that Okocha gave his wife a brand new White Mercedez Benz G-Wagon SUV as birthday present.


Nkechi was said to have gone down on her knees to thank her husband for all his love and support in front of the party guests.

Forbes ranks Putin world’s most powerful person, downs Obama


Forbes ranks Putin world’s most powerful person, downs Obama

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been ranked the most powerful person in the world by Forbes. He topped the list of the 72 world figures that “matter the most,” while US President Barack Obama was rated second.

According to Forbes,Aliko Dangote is more powerful than President Goodluck Jonathan. Dangote was placed 64th most powerful person in the world, Jonathan didn't make the list.

See top 71 below:




Nigeria U17 Coach Hits Back At Iran Age-cheating Claim


Nigeria U17 coach hits back at Iran age-cheating claim

Nigeria Under-17 coach Manu Garba has dismissed Iran's accusation of age-cheating in the 4-1 defeat by the Golden Eaglets at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Three-time champions Nigeria were too hot for Iran at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain racking up three goals in the first half en route to a 4-1 win against the Asian side in the Round of 16.

Afterwards Iranian coach Ali Doustimehr questioned the ages of some of the players representing the west African country.

But Garba told BBC Sport: "I personally feel it is just something that is borne out of frustration at losing to a tactically and technically better side.

"All the players we have here passed the MRI test and we even conducted another round one month before we came to the UAE.

"We would probably take it up with the Iranian coach at Fifa level for casting aspersion on the eligibility of our players."

Back in August, Nigeria dropped key players for the tournament after wrist scans showed them to be over the age limit.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to scan the wrist plate of players to accurately ascertain their true age, with only players between grade 1 and 5 of the scan eligible to participate.

Meanwhile, Nigeria and Ivory Coast are the only African teams to have progressed to the quarter-finals in the UAE.

While the Young Elephants narrowly edged past continental rivals Morocco 2-1, Nigeria highlighted their title credentials with that crushing victory over Iran, bringing their goals-for tally to 18 after four games.

Ivory Coast will face Argentina in the last eight on Saturday, while Nigeria are sweating on the fitness of leading scorer Kelechi Iheanacho for their tie against Uruguay on the same day.

Iheanacho has scored five goals in the competition and coach Manu Garba has assured the striker will be available for the Uruguay test.

"It is a minor injury and Iheanacho should be back for the next game," the coach said.

Nigeria have now reached at least the quarter-finals at nine of the ten U-17 World Cups they have participated in.

The only time the Golden Eaglets failed to do so was at Finland 2003, when they were packing for home after the group stage.

Yaya Toure : UEFA punish CSKA Moscow over racism


(CNN) -- CSKA Moscow will play its next home European Champions League match with part of its stadium closed as punishment for racism offenses.

Manchester City complained its players had been subjected to "monkey chants" during a match against CSKA at the Arena Khimki on October 23.

European football's governing body UEFA announced the sanction on Wednesday, warning CSKA that further incidents of racism would results in graver punishments.

"The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has handed down sanctions to CSKA Moscow following incidents during their UEFA Champions League home game against Manchester City," read a UEFA statement.

"Specifically, the Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to close sector D of the stadium during the club's next UEFA competition home match.

"CSKA's next home fixture is scheduled against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on 27 November in Moscow.

"The fight against racism is a high priority for UEFA ... All forms of racist behavior are considered serious offenses against the disciplinary regulations and are punished with the most severe sanctions."

Quick mid-deliberation update on Schultz

10/30/2013Jury Notes FiledJury Notes Filed @ 10:30 am (Winter Instruction given)

Hmm.  My Google-fu and Westlaw-fu did not turn up anything termed a "Winter Instruction."  But

EDITED:
Edited on October 31 to add: just received an email saying this below is NOT the Winter instruction. What WAS given the jury was a basic Allen charge, aka an instruction to break a deadlock. This was from an attorney watching the trial. I'll post more later today.
a friend in federal practice emailed me the citations.

Excerpt text reads: "Evidence of a defendant's reputation, inconsistent with those traits of character ordinarily involved in the commission of the crime charged, may give rise to a reasonable doubt, since you think it improbable that a person of good character in respect to those traits wold commit such a crime."

U.S. v Pujana-Mena, 949 F.2d 24, 27-32 (2d Cir. 1991); U.S. v. Winter, 663 F.2d 1120, 1147-49 (1st Cir. 1981).

As of 1991, "The District of Columbia Circuit is the only circuit still requiring a “standing alone” instruction in all cases in which a defendant offers character evidence. See United States v. Lewis, 482 F.2d 632, 637 (D.C.Cir.1973)"

But I read Pujana and it seems to go the other way-- like the standalone instruction is NOT required.  I am still reeling and trying to do the legal research, I'll edit and add analysis when I sort out the issue, but I'm getting on a plane this evening so it might be a separate post tomorrow.

"He was a nice boy who went to church. He'd never rape anybody." Case closed!  (From CG)

"Jury acquits man of rape on video tape because he seems like he wouldn't do that" (From RJ)

Will keep you posted.


Big Boy : How Iyanya Raked In N130million In Endorsement Deals


Successful Singer Iyanya Mbuk has amassed over N130 million in endorsements deals in 2013 alone.Since his highly successful 2012 monster hit single Kukere, it has been one hit after another, one award after another and one endorsement contract after another for the once impoverished singer.

In the last one year and half, Iyanya has proven that he can be a hit maker disappointing the initial doubts that critics had raised about him when his 2009 debut album  My Story flopped.

Certainly, Iyanya took the lesson of that album and transformed himself into one of the most sought after Nigerian artistes today placing him on the pedestal where corporate organisations would jostle to do business with him.

Three weeks ago, the singer closed a deal reportedly worth N35 million with mobile phone manufacturing company, SOLO Mobile. According to his publicist, Wildflower PR, the deal was iced with a brand new 2014 Prado SUV.

Earlier in May, the 27 year old singer was lucky enough to have been included in MTNs swoop of some of the major players in the music industry, becoming one of the companies highest paid brand ambassadors in a N40 million deal.

It sure didnt end there. When Zinox Technologies Limited, manufacturer of Nigerias first internationally certified branded computers was looking for a face to represent its brand, guess who quickly came to mind? None other than the rave of the moment, Iyanya. The Leo Stan-Ekeh owned tech-company put pen to paper, inked a deal and made Iyanya N56milion richer, according to those familiar with the details of the deal.

These endorsement deals have gone on to show the relevance Iyanya has in todays music scene. Apart from the occasional engagements, the pop star will begin to appear on billboards and TV commercials preaching the gospel of these brands. From all indications, Iyanya, a Business Management graduate of the University of Calabar and winer of the inaugural MTN Project Fame West Africa, has had quite an awesome 2013.

Speaking to NET, Iyanyas partner Ubi Franklin attributes his success and that of the label to God and hardwork. All thanks and Glory to God because we are actually living out our dream. We are where we are today because of hardwork and passion for what we do.

On why Iyanya seems to be a choice for these brands, Franklin says I guess they all see the potential in Iyanya. They have seen that Iyanya as a brand can do a lot to promote their own brands. He is one of the hardest working artistes I know and he has worked hard to deserve everything he has earned.

In less than one year, Iyanya has upgraded his garage with about three exotic cars. Franklin has done the same too, and three months ago, the team acquired a jeep for their artiste and protégé, Nigerian US returnee and singer, Emma Nyra.

The music business is probably one of the most interesting yet difficult businesses in the world and for Iyanya, its been one great ride with the prospect of many good things to come.

Deals : Amount
MTN : N40million
Zinox : N56million
Solo Mobile : N35million

Source : NET

Photos : Conrad Murray reunites with son after serving two years in jail for death of Michael Jackson


Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray reunited with the youngest of his seven children on Monday just hours after he was quietly freed from jail.

He celebrated his first taste of freedom in two years by taking his son Che Giovanni, whose mother is actress Nicole Alverez, on a mountain hike.

Murray was convicted of killing the Michael Jackson with an overdose of a powerful anesthetic.

More photos below:


Chris Brown Heads To Rehab


Chris Brown will have to check into a Rehab Facility, in order to skip jail, as his court date approaches.

The Singer was arrested on Sunday, October 27 on an assault charge putting him on the path of possibly bagging a jail term, he will be in rehab pending his court appearance. "Chris Brown has elected to enter a rehab facility," said a statement Tuesday night from his representative. "His goal is to gain focus and insight into his past and recent behavior, enabling him to continue the pursuit of his life and his career from a healthier vantage point."

Worm-Infested Hair from Dead People Now In The Market


Irene Myangoh, a personal assistant working at a law firm in Nairobi went to an upmarket hair salon along Kenyatta Avenue, and spent more than N5,500 on a human hair weave.

Two weeks later she started suffering from severe headache that would not go away. She would wake up with severe headache at night. She went to a private doctor who gave her drugs for the relief of mild to moderate pain of inflammatory origin with or without fever; they would only work for a few hours and then the headache would be back worse than even before. Desperate, she went to see a specialist who did blood tests and even a brain scan. All the tests were negative but the headache persisted, making her unable to concentrate at work and sleeping very poorly. She went back to her doctor who decided to examine her scalp and under the beautiful weave he found worms!

The worms were burrowing into her skull and after sending the samples to the lab they found that the hair had eggs from which the worms had Irene had to shave after this ordeal and took antibiotics for two weeks.  Elsewhere, 16-year-old girl from Buruburu, a Nairobi surburb, also suffered the same fate but unfortunately for her she died. Cobweb eggs were found in her hair after she died.

There was a profound cobweb design in her weaved hair. She dropped dead after constant headaches.
The root cause? The weave had unnoticed spider eggs. The warmth produced after weaving provided a very conducive environment for the eggs to hatch. A spider grew in her scalp and bit her. The poison found its way to her blood. She could not survive the attack.

Photos From Banky W's Video Shoot In London


The video was directed by Sesan Ogunro (the director Davido rejected). The music video titled ‘Jasi

The video was shot last weekend in the UK and features a solo cameo from rapper Lynxxx.

See more photos below:


OJB Jezreel discharged from hospital in India


After a successful surgery in India, producer OJB Jezreel has finally been discharged from the hospital.

Read his press statement below:

"Dear fellow Nigerians. Greetings from far away India !I am sure this note from me will catch you with a little surprise. I have been reading a lot of news about ME being published on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and different Blogs by my good friends. I thought I must take out a quick moment and let you know that I am officially discharged today from the hospital, after a successful Kidney Transplantation Surgery, by God’s Grace.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Nigerians for your prayers & good wishes, without which all this would not have been possible. I also take this opportunity to thank my friends, fans and family for all the love, prayers and good wishes for a Speedy Recovery!! Be home with you soon …….Thank you once again sincerely, Your very own OJB Jezreel."

Photos : 2face Idibia Chilling In T-Pain's Atlanta Mansion


Photos of 2face Idibia Chilling In T-Pain's Atlanta Mansion.


Actress Omotola Jalade and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard at WISE summit in Doha


Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde pictured below with former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard at the on-going WISE (World Innovation Summit for Education) summit in Doha, where she is a speaker.

Another pic below: