Seven Chinese nationals were found guilty and given a year in prison each for their involvement in cyberterrorism and internet fraud linked to a massive Ponzi scheme that was discovered in December 2024 by a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday.
Justices Ayokunle Faji, Chukwujekwu Aneke, and Yellim Bogoro, each from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had arraigned the convicts separately.
The defendants’ plea bargain agreements, which were filed on June 20, 2025, were disclosed to the justices by the EFCC prosecution team, which included Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, Chineye Okezie, and Banjo Temitope.
All of the defendants entered pleas of guilty at the hearing and said they would accept the plea deal.
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Each of them was found guilty and given a year in prison and a one million naira fine.
The court also recommended that the Nigerian Immigration Service’s (NIS) Comptroller-General ensure their deportation within seven days of release.
Peng Li Huan, Zhang Jin Rong, He Kun, Rachelle Cabalona, Caselyn Pionela, Guo Long Long, and Zhang Hua Zhai were detained in a building on Oyin Jolayemi Street in Lagos during a raid by the EFCC.
The defendants were arraigned by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 on separate one-count fraud and cyberterrorism charges.
The convicts “willfully accessed computer systems organized to destabilize and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria by recruiting Nigerian youths to identity theft and impersonate foreign nationals for financial gain,” according to the amended one-count charge read in court.
ExCLUSIVE: Dua Lipa admitted it had always been her dream to play her first sold-out concert at Wembley Stadium on Friday, exclaiming as she took to the stage that night that she was overcome with emotion.
Dua joins a small list of women to have headlined Wembley(Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Dua Lipa surpassed her highest expectations with the fulfillment of her greatest dream. The global megastar has quickly risen to fame since she first entered the music business, and she isn’t letting down.
She made her first appearance at Wembley Stadium on Friday, beginning her two-game English football-related homecoming, before moving on to Liverpool’s Anfield. The sold-out crowd who had flocked to north-west London to see her perform, however, the British and Albanian star couldn’t believe what was happening.
Fans had been camping out at the stadium since Thursday, hoping to get to the very front row to see their idol deliver her biggest hits. Addressing the crowd, Dua said: “It means the absolute world to me that you’re here tonight. It feels really special to be here today.”
Dua Lipa was overcome with emotion as she headlined Wembley Stadium(Image: Daily Mirror)
The singer-songwriter continued, “I dreamed of a night like this that I get to be in front of 70, 000 people because it has been ten years since our first ever London show, which happened to be in front of 350 people. I’m completely blown away. After signing with her management and record label, Dua, who now headlines a small group of female solo artists, reflected on her career and acknowledged that one song may have changed her life.
Hotter Than Hell was a song that suited the UK’s hot day of the year. Dua, however, pulled it off with a special guest appearance from Jamiroquai for her first night at the renowned venue. For her Radical Optimism tour, Dua and Jamiroquai performed an incredible duet of the 1996 hit Virtual Insanity.
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For the surprise performance, vocalist Jay Kay donned a classic black hat with a purple trim and a white fringe jacket, as well as purple pants. Fans rushed to social media to express their excitement over the shock guest, one user revealing they “wish” they were there to see the duo perform at the concert in London.
The signer revealed it had always been her dream to perform at the iconic venue(Image: Daily Mirror)
The Londoner joins Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Adele, P!NK and Rihanna as one of the few women to have headlined the stadium. She performed her anthems, including Training Season, One Kiss, Levitating, Physical, Electricity, New Rules, Be the One, Don’t Start Now and Houdini.
When her long-term manager, Ben Mawson, who had previously praised the singer, said she had “it all,” Dua was only 17 when she was first discovered. He stated during Music Week in 2020 that “Dua told me she aspired to be Madonna when I met her, when she was 17; there was something about the way she said it that made me believe her! “
It was all about how she spoke, her charisma, her composure, and her drive, and how she presented them. She has untapped potential because she has it all. The singer gained notoriety with her 2017 breakup anthem, New Rules, and 2016 hit Be the One.
Since then, she has hosted the Glastonbury Festival last year shortly after her third studio album Radical Optimism, which topped the UK albums chart at number one. She has since won three Grammys and numerous Brit Awards.
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Her debut self-titled album, Dua Lipa, also reached number three, while her debut album, 2020 Future Nostalgia, also reached number one. She is one of the UK’s wealthiest musicians because she is the youngest to appear on the 40 Under 40 Rich List this year.
The singer recently received a second-place ranking from music licensing company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) as the most popular performer across radio, TV, and public spaces in the UK.
Jesy Nelson, a former Little Mix singer, gave birth to her twins on May 18 but only got to take them home the following week after a brief period of incubation.
Jesy Nelson ‘never felt more lucky’ as she shares sweet snaps of twin daughters(Image: jesynelson/Instagram)
Jesy Nelson admits she’s ‘never felt more lucky in her life’ as she shared snaps of her newborn babies with fans on social media. The former Little Mix singer, who struggled with a difficult pregnancy, revealed last week that her baby twins arrived back at her home for the first time after she welcomed them on 18 May.
In a sweet update that she shared on Instagram, Jesy showed her daughters Story Monroe Nelson-Foster and Ocean Jade Nelson-Foster, both of whom she shares a partner, Zion Foster. She shared videos of Zion dancing with one of their babies and photos of them looking cozy while they were wrapped up in towels.
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Jesy shared a few sweet snaps of her babies(Image: jesynelson/Instagram)
Additionally, Jesy shared numerous photos of her two children sleeping in a pram and enjoying a sunny day with them lying on her chest. The singer captioned the uplifting post, “I have never felt more lucky and blessed in my entire life.”
Influencer Luke Hamnett wrote: “Gorgeous gorgeous family” and friends and fans scurried to the comment section to express their love for the couple and their newborn children.
One fan said, “You’re a beautiful human, and you deserve every moment and enjoy every feeling beautiful momma.” You are deserving of these stunning miracles.
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Zion cuddling with one of his babies(Image: jesynelson/Instagram)
Jesy surprised fans when she revealed that her children had arrived prematurely “healthy and fighting strong” in May.
She recently shared her experience with the NICU girls. No one or no one will ever be able to prepare you for NICU, she wrote in an online post.
The most enraging and overwhelming feeling of not being able to protect your children is “. You can’t help but hold them and comfort them when they cry, which sounds like a million wires are coming out of them.
Your heart is broken into pieces by the way that people prod them and poke them, “tubes and masks in the way that breaks your heart.”
However, as the days pass and the wires start to disappear, moments like this seem like dreams come true.
The Black Magic singer expressed her joy over the treatment of her two children’s residues.
The most magical feeling I can’t possibly describe was having them reunite for the first time today, she said. The most inspiring young girls I’ve ever met have the most heartfelt stories to tell.
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In response to the humanitarian difficulties that region-wide crises are facing, Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged stronger cooperation.
Shettima argued that comprehensive solutions were urgently needed to address the nation’s interconnected issues of migration and climate change because they are in direct proportion to the population’s economic well-being.
He made the remarks at the Presidential Villa on Friday when he was met by a delegation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), led by Sharon Dimanche, the country’s head of migration.
On Friday, June 20, 2025, Shettima and Sharon Dimanche, the IOM’s Deputy Director of Mission in Nigeria, arrived at the Presidential Villa.  ,  ,
The Vice President urged the President’s Office of the Vice President to find creative and inclusive solutions to the complex interplay between migration, poverty, conflict, and ecological disruption in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President for Media and Communications.
Read more about Germany and Nigeria’s strategic partnership on energy, trade, and migration.
“From my time as governor of Borno State, I have worked with the IOM for a long time, and I must commend your extraordinary support for our people. However, we require much more holistic and comprehensive solutions.
In order to achieve a win-win, workable solution that fosters unity and advances our people, VP Shettima urged people to support us in the North-Central.
He criticized poverty, illiteracy, and environmental degradation, citing the “incestuous relationship” between ecology and economy in sub-Saharan Africa as evidenced by his critique of displacement and insecurity in various regions.
The challenges of migration cannot be reconciled with climate-induced effects. He continued, “Poverty and violence are directly related to crises in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central,” adding that even these crises had a direct connection to.
He also urged the IOM to increase its support for land reclamation and gender empowerment initiatives, particularly in deforested and displacement-stricken regions.
Sharon Dimanche, the IOM’s director of mission, praised Nigeria’s significant accomplishments in disaster preparedness and migration governance.
Dimanche praised Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to improve migration control and disaster preparedness, noting that the country’s diversity presents both challenges and opportunities for customized interventions.
What I have witnessed since I arrived in Nigeria is remarkable. Every state has its own uniqueness. It’s like a country encircling all of Africa. We are particularly impressed by the launch of Nigeria’s Framework for Anticipatory Action and State Action Plan, she said.
She reiterated the IOM’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s long-term solutions agenda, including through programs for distributing data, providing shelter, promoting climate resilience, and empowering young people.
She continued, “We seek the government’s guidance on areas to concentrate on as I take office.” Working to offer people who have been affected by the crisis sustainable solutions and opportunities is one of our top priorities.
After a fourth game was postponed due to thunderstorms, the Fifa Club World Cup is still being affected by weather concerns. A heatwave is expected next week.
Due to the storms and heavy rain in Orlando, the second half of Benfica’s Group C match against Auckland City started more than two hours late.
The delay had caused more than an hour before Mamelodi Sundowns against Ulsan HD in the same city.
And there were lengthy intermissions between Salzburg and Pachuca in Cincinnati and Palmeiras v Al-Ahly in New Jersey (40 minutes).
According to Fossil Free Football, ten games are scheduled for the following week that could result in significant or extreme heat risks.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting the World Cup, which comes just one year after it ends.
The dangers that players face
Images courtesy of Getty
The fixtures at the no-shade stadium in Charlotte, where a heat index of 38C (Real Madrid vs. Pachuca) and 41C (Benfica vs. Bayern), are reportedly of particular concern.
This underscores the dangers that fans and players will encounter at this and in 2026. There is little that Fifa can do to calm safety worries.
In Nashville’s 41C on a field with little cover is scheduled for the game between Auckland City and Boca Juniors, which is part-time football in New Zealand.
In the upcoming heatwave, matches will also be played in Philadelphia, New York, Cincinnati, and Washington, DC.
Marcos Llorente added that “it’s incredible” and that my toes were sore and my nails were hurting following Atletico’s 4-0 defeat by Paris St-Germain in Pasadena in 32C.
Fans complained about long lines and water restrictions when arriving at the stadium and that they had to leave that game due to the heat.
According to a Fifa statement, “Fifa’s top priority is the health of everyone who plays football,” and its medical team has been in frequent contact with the participating clubs to discuss heat management and acclimatization.
Fans are permitted to bring empty, clear bottles of up to one litre into stadiums as well as cooling breaks in the 30th and 75th minute, respectively.
Los Angeles FC defeated Chelsea 3-1 in their opening game against Flamengo on Friday, making them one of two English teams competing alongside Manchester City.
It pours when it rains.
Images courtesy of Getty
From a scheduling perspective, there will be concerns about the delays in games in addition to the danger the heat poses to players, staff, and supporters.
For thunder and lightning storms and heavy rain, there were waits of 40 minutes to two and a half hours for four of the first 21 games.
The potential for overlapping matches at the 2026 World Cup won’t disappoint broadcasters.
An hour before Chelsea’s match against Flamengo was scheduled to end, Benfica vs. Auckland City had to come to an end, but the Blues’ defeat came about after the final whistle was blown.
Bruno Lage, a coach for Benfica, said, “This is the longest game of my career.” Our fans, who have been watching the team for five hours, deserve special appreciation.
A shoddy Leeds Rhinos performance gave St. Helens a well-deserved Super League victory.
Before Deon Cross extended Saints’ lead with a daring over for the game’s first try on the stroke of half-time, Kyle Feldt kicked two penalty goals for the home side in the opening 25 minutes.
Riley Lumb’s try, which was his 10th of the season, was a positive one after the break, and Leeds made improvements.
However, the Rhinos’ momentum was hampered by a string of handling errors in the sweltering heat, and tries from Owen Dagnall and Tristan Sailor provided the winning result for the Saints side that was to suffer from injury.
After falling to their first six games, Leeds are still in third place with 20 points, while St. Helens is just two points behind.
When the sides met last month, Rhinos won 17-4, but in Lancashire they were below par from the beginning.
Harry Newman and James Bentley both committed high tackles, which reflected Brad Arthur’s side’s error-filled first period, which gave Feldt two penalty goals.
The veteran winger’s brilliant tackle by player-of-the-match Harry Robertson prevented Leeds’ only real chance in the first half, which was a Ryan Hall intercept.
And Tristan Sailor released Cross, whose clever show-and-go tricked Hall and gave a clear path to the line when Leeds coughed up possession in their own 20 shortly after.
Rhinos, who had a stronger second half, found much-needed rest at half-time.
After a magnificent Lachie Miller break, the Australian full-back dodged several tackles before moving the ball wide and dotted down, where Lumb did.
With a darting effort, Jarrod O’Connor beat Leeds, and as the game progressed, St. Helens struck back and forth as the momentum grew.
Deft hands from Jonny Lomax and Sailor launched Dagnall into space from the back of a scrum. In two starts, Feldt converted and scored his second try, taking the lead 10-point, off his left foot.
Leeds never really looked like bridging that gap, finishing only 69% of their sets and making 16 errors.
