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EPL: Guardiola Compares Liverpool vs Man City with US Election

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Pep Guardiola has compared Manchester City’s Premier League challenge with the US presidential election in a bid to downplay the impact of Sunday’s clash with Liverpool, pointing out “all the votes must be counted”.

City and Liverpool have been the two dominant sides in England for the past three years, with the Reds running away with the league last season after back-to-back titles for Guardiola’s men.

However, with City just six games into their league season and every team in the top-flight having dropped points in at least two games so far, Guardiola believes he must steer his side into contention over the long haul.

“It’s an important game, but like the presidential elections in the United States of America, all the votes must be counted,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “So there are a lot of points to play (for).”

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Liverpool’s title defence has been rocked by a long-term knee injury to talismanic defender Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman is expected to miss the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury similar to that suffered by Aymeric Laporte last season that derailed City’s season.

Guardiola, though, believes the Anfield side showed their strength with a 5-0 thrashing of Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday.

“The most important thing is I hope the surgery went good for Virgil and he can recover as quick and as soon as possible,” added the City boss. “I will miss him. I like to play with the best players as possible on the pitch.

“Liverpool remain an incredible, top team because the structure is there, they know exactly every player what they have to do. The result against Atalanta, we know how difficult it is to beat them away, and they did it.

“That’s why Liverpool remains a top, top-class team.”

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However, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss expects a much tighter title race this season, with Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester also posing a threat.

“They (Liverpool) are the biggest favourite, but I think what happened with the pandemic this season is different so I see other teams really strong,” he added.

“Leicester remain incredibly solid, Arsenal make a big step forward, Tottenham — (Jose) Mourinho got the team like he wants — Chelsea now is so stable, not conceding goals, a huge squad to rotate top players. Manchester United is not there in terms of results right now but I know the quality they have, we suffered from them a lot last season.

“I think this season will be a lot of teams being there and the last five to 10 games it will be important to arrive being there with the chance to fight for the title.”

AFP

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Police arrest officer over public execution of suspect in Delta

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The Delta state police command has said that a police officer, Usman Nuhu, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP), has been arrested for killing a 28-year-old suspect in Effurun, Delta state, on Sunday.

trending video, which surfaced on social media on Tuesday showed the shooting of the suspect, whose hands were tied, by a police officer attached to the Delta police command.

In the video, the suspect could be seen sitting on the ground with his hands tied behind his back with a rope before being shot by a police officer in mufti.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bright Edafe, police spokesperson in Delta, said the officer has been transferred to the force headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary proceedings.

Anthony Placid, the force public relations officer, who also confirmed the development, said the suspect, identified as Mene Ogidi, was killed after being apprehended while attempting to waybill a parcel allegedly containing a pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition.

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“Preliminary reports indicate that operatives attached to the Effurun Area Command responded to credible information from Benin Motor Park along the Warri–Sapele Expressway regarding a suspect apprehended by members of a transport union while attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition,” Placid said.

“While efforts were being made to take the suspect into lawful custody, the team leader, ASP Nuhu Usman, discharged his firearm in clear violation of extant regulations, resulting in the death of the suspect.”

Placid added that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has ordered the immediate transfer of the officer and his team to Abuja, where they will face the force disciplinary committee for summary disciplinary measures and possible prosecution.

“The Inspector-General of Police extends his condolences to the family of the deceased and assures them that justice will be served in accordance with the law,” he added.

“He further urges members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding as the disciplinary and legal processes take their course.

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“The Nigeria Police Force maintains a zero-tolerance stance on extra-judicial actions, abuse of authority, and any conduct that undermines public trust.”

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Obafemi Hamzat promises to serve Lagosians with integrity

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Deputy governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat,has promised to serve with integrity, focus and a clear sense of purpose if he is elected as the next governor.

The remark followed the endorsement of his 2027 governorship aspiration by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state governor.

Sanwo-Olu endorsed Hamzat as his successor during a meeting with party leaders at the governor’s office in Alausa on Monday.

The governor, who described Hamzat as the “best man for the job,” also offered prayers for his deputy, wishing him strength, peace and divine support in his future endeavours.

“Peace of mind, peace in your family among your children, wife, spouse and everybody. That which you require, God will provide it for you: renewed strength, God Almighty will make it available for you,” Sanwo-Olu said.

At the end of the meeting, Sanwo-Olu embraced his deputy and raised his hand before party members and leaders in a symbolic gesture that drew applause from those in attendance.

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In an appreciation post on his X page, Hamzat said Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement means “a great deal” to him.

“Today, I am honoured by the endorsement of my Governor, my brother and my friend, HE Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” he wrote.

“His trust means a great deal to me. We’ve worked side by side in the service of Lagos State, and I don’t take this vote of confidence lightly.”

“I remain committed to building on the progress we’ve made together, and look forward to serving Lagosians with integrity, focus and a clear sense of purpose.”

The development comes amid recent speculation over possible contenders for the 2027 Lagos governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with political discussions suggesting that Hamzat had emerged as a leading contender.

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Nigerian, wife risk 50 years in US prison over alleged $500,000 fraud

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United States-based Nigerian, Opeyemi Olujobi, and his wife, Jennie Davidson, are facing up to 50 years in prison following their arrest over an alleged credit card fraud scheme in New York.

According to a statement by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, that Olujobi and his wife were arrested in Poughkeepsie and are expected to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in White Plains.

Clayton said that the duo allegedly used stolen identities to fraudulently access hundreds of credit card accounts and carried out unauthorised purchases amounting to over $500,000.

He noted that the defendants were part of a conspiracy that targeted numerous victims through identity theft and account takeovers.

According to the statement, the suspects allegedly used personal details such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, and addresses to impersonate legitimate account holders.

“From at least May 2023 through October 2024, Olujobi, Davidson, and/or their co-conspirators contacted a publicly traded consumer financial services company and used other people’s names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, and addresses to falsely identify themselves as the true accountholders of over 200 store credit card accounts.

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“After gaining access to the cardholders’ accounts, the perpetrators changed the address listed on the account to one of four addresses in Hopewell Junction, New York, including their residence, and also altered victims’ phone numbers to those controlled by members of the scheme,” Clayton stated.

The statement said the suspects then reported the cards as lost or stolen and requested replacements, which were delivered to addresses under their control.

The attorney said that once the suspects had the cards, they allegedly used them to purchase gift cards and other items across multiple retail outlets.

“After they obtained their victims’ credit cards, Olujobi, Davidson, and/or their co-conspirators used those cards at various retail locations to make around $575,000 in unauthorised purchases of gift cards and other merchandise.

“Video surveillance associated with many of these transactions shows Olujobi and Davidson using the stolen cards,” the statement added.

It further revealed that the suspects sometimes contacted the bank to request approval for declined transactions or to increase credit limits as needed.

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The attorney also alleged that Davidson laundered part of the proceeds through an online betting account before transferring the funds into her personal bank account.

The charge sheet accompanying the statement indicated that the suspects were charged with a four-count indictment bordering on conspiracy and fraud.

“Olujobi, 28, and Davidson, 29, are each charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, among other charges.

“Davidson is also charged with money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.”

The statement, however, concluded that the charges were only allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

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