Author: Opalim Lifted

Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions in style – and drew level with Manchester United on 20 titles – as Tottenham Hotspur were demolished on a day of wild celebrations and emotion at Anfield. Arne Slot’s side needed only a point to complete the formalities of their coronation, although Spurs briefly threatened a plot twist when former Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke headed them into an early lead The shock jolted Liverpool into action, the title was signed and sealed with three goals before the break that sent their expectant fans into ecstasy at the high point of Slot’s spectacular first…

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have busted an alleged plot to trigger violence in Warri, Delta State, arresting a foreign-based Army major and several accomplices. Sources say the Army officer, of Itsekiri origin, was allegedly recruited by a man known as Collins to smuggle weapons aimed at stoking tribal tensions in the oil-rich region. In a covert sting near Asaba, Delta State, DSS agents swooped on the arms supplier, seizing over 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition. “An Itsekiri man serving in a foreign army allegedly procured arms at Collins’…

Rasmus Hojlund’s injury time goal grabbed a point for Man United as 10-man Bournemouth suffered a blow to their hopes of European qualification. Andoni Iraola’s men looked set for victory thanks to Antoine Semenyo’s 11th goal of the season midway though the first half. But the contest turned on a controversial decision to upgrade Evanilson’s 70th-minute challenge on Noussair Mazraoui from a yellow card to a red following a video assistant referee (VAR) review. Evanilson appeared to slip as he closed down the United defender but referee Peter Bankes upgraded his initial yellow card, meaning the Brazilian must now serve…

Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun state, and Edward Oluwasanmi, a pastor, have pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Citing court records, a Punch report said Oluwasanmi reportedly used his companies – Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Incorporated, and Dayspring Property Incorporated – to obtain millions of dollars, which he later diverted for personal expenses in violation of US federal laws. The two men were charged to court on 13 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and engaging in monetary transactions with criminally…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook), to immediately pay the $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and recently upheld by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal. In a letter dated 26 April 2025 and signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP demanded that Zuckerberg and Meta not only pay the fine, but also provide justice and effective remedies—including adequate compensation and guarantees of non-repetition—for victims of the grave violations of Nigerian consumer, data protection, and privacy laws, as…

The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) said it has spent hundreds of millions as ransom to kidnappers to secure the release of its members. Speaking at a press conference in Jos on Friday, Ayuba Asheshe, ECWA’s general secretary, expressed grief over the persistent targeting of church members, particularly in Kaduna and Plateau states. He said the church is currently negotiating the release of about 50 other members still held captive by kidnappers. Asheshe said Kwassam DCC in Kauru LGA of Kaduna has been ravaged by relentless banditry and kidnappings, leading to the loss of over 20 lives. He added that…

A Jules Kounde goal in the dying minutes of extra time handed Barcelona a dramatic 3-2 win over fierce rivals Real Madrid in an enthralling Copa del Rey final in a raucous atmosphere at Seville’s La Cartuja stadium on Saturday. Barcelona won a record extending 32nd Spanish Cup title thanks to a stunning strike from the French defender, who slotted a low drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards in the 116th minute. The match ended on a sour note for Real Madrid as Antonio Ruediger and Lucas Vazquez, both on the bench after being substituted earlier, received red…

Ipswich Town’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed as Newcastle strengthened their push for Champions League football with victory at St James’ Park. Ipswich needed to beat the Newcastle and hope West Ham lost at Brighton to delay their inevitable fall into the Championship, but their hopes of getting the result they needed were dealt a major blow late in the first half when Ben Johnson was sent off for a second bookable offence. Bruno Guimaraes had had a close-range effort disallowed midway through the half for a foul on goalkeeper Alex Palmer, but Alexander Isak’s penalty – awarded…

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested two women for attempting to traffic a four-year-old boy, Jaffa Umar, who was abducted in Abuja and brought to Owerri, where they allegedly planned to sell him for ₦2.7 million. The suspects, identified as Joy Ugwu from Idah, Kogi State, and Rosella Michael from Zamba in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were apprehended in Owerri on 14 April at approximately 6:00 p.m., following a discreet operation based on credible intelligence provided by the Scorpion Unit. Confirming the arrest, the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, revealed that a third accomplice, believed to be…

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has led a five-member delegation to Vatican City to attend the burial of His Holiness, Pope Francis, on Saturday, 26 April. The delegation, which is at the behest of President Bola Tinubu, includes the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama. Pope Francis, the revered head of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 88, just a day after appearing…