Paris Saint-Germain clinched a place in the Champions League final as goals by Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi gave them a 2-1 win over Arsenal in the second leg of their last-four tie on Wednesday, securing a 3-1 aggregate triumph.

Ruiz crashed in a shot from the edge of the area in the 27th minute at the Parc des Princes to leave PSG firmly in the driving seat after they had withstood an early bombardment from the visitors.

Already leading in the tie after Ousmane Dembele’s goal in last week’s first leg, PSG then saw Vitinha have a second-half penalty saved.

However, Hakimi put the tie beyond Arsenal when he scored in the 72nd minute, even if Bukayo Saka did then pull one back for the visitors.

PSG advance to a showdown in Munich on May 31 against Inter Milan, and it will be the second Champions League final in their history, five years after a defeat by Bayern Munich in Lisbon.

Arsenal, meanwhile, saw their European dream come to an end as they fell short of reaching what would have been their second final, 19 years after losing to Barcelona in Paris.

Still without a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, all that is left to play for now for Mikel Arteta’s side is securing a third consecutive second-place finish in the Premier League.

There was an electric atmosphere all evening in Paris, and PSG were able to celebrate getting to a final in front of their fans for the first time, after their victory against RB Leipzig in the last four in 2020 was played behind closed doors during the pandemic.

There was a feverish mood in and around the ground pre-match, but PSG have tripped up in big Champions League ties plenty of times over the last decade.

In addition, their top scorer, Dembele, was not in the starting line-up, having come off with a hamstring problem in the first leg.

Gunners Bombardment

Arsenal, with Thomas Partey back in midfield after missing the first leg through suspension, did their best to silence the raucous home support by throwing everything at the Parisians right from the off.

Declan Rice headed just wide, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Gabriel Martinelli from close range before producing a stunning save low to his left to keep out a Martin Odegaard shot, all inside the opening eight minutes.

PSG did eventually settle, and they almost went ahead on 17 minutes when Desire Doue teed up Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose curling shot hit the far post.

Then Doue wasted a great chance, shooting straight at David Raya in the Arsenal goal after Bradley Barcola had intercepted a loose ball.

But PSG did score before the half-hour mark, the goal coming in the wake of a free-kick awarded for a Rice foul on Kvaratskhelia.

Vitinha’s delivery was headed out by Partey but fell to Ruiz on the edge of the box, and he controlled before smashing in a left-foot shot as the ball bounced back up.

It was the ideal moment for the 29-year-old Spaniard to score his first Champions League goal.

Barcola failed to convert a good chance for the hosts to score again moments later, and Arsenal still had some hope going into the second half.

Only another stunning Donnarumma save with his fingertips prevented Saka from pulling one back on 64 minutes, before PSG were awarded a spot-kick.

German referee Felix Zwayer gave the penalty after being summoned to the pitchside monitor when a shot by Hakimi brushed the outstretched hand of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Arteta was furious at the decision, yet Vitinha’s kick was turned away by Raya diving to his left.

Nevertheless, PSG made it 2-0 on the night when Dembele, on from the bench, teed up Hakimi to finish in style.

This being PSG, however, there was a wobble as Saka quickly pulled one back from close range after Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard had got the better of Marquinhos on the wing.

Saka then somehow blazed over with an open goal gaping from Riccardo Calafiori’s cross, ensuring that there would be no miracle Arsenal comeback, and it would be PSG’s night.

AFP

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has described his purported suspension from the Labour Party by the embattled national chairman of the party, Julius Abure, as a desperate act of a clown looking for a crown.

Otti, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, on Wednesday, stated that the Supreme Court had in a judgment stated that Abure is no longer the national chairman of the party.

He called on the Inspector General of Police to arrest Abure for impersonation, while the Independent National Electoral Commission should ensure full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment as a way of preserving the integrity of the Supreme Court and protecting democracy.

The statement read, “The attention of Governor Alex Otti has been drawn to the news of his purported suspension alongside other eminent leaders of the Labour Party from the party by the former national chairman of the party, Julius Abure.

“The statement by Abure and his gang of commedians is not only a joke taken too far, but an affront on democracy by a group of inconsequential irritants who are desperate to use Gov.Otti’s name to advance their self-serving economic agenda.

“For the records, the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has rightly and unambiguously stated that Julius Abure is no longer the national chairman of Labour Party.

“The judgment which is in agreement with the constitution of the Labour Party, and formed the basis for the setting up of the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, stripped Abure of every authority to parade himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

“Just few hours after being summoned by a committee set up by the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee to come and respond to allegations of gross misconduct bordering on financial misappropriation, impersonation and anti-party activities levelled against him, Abure decided to be smart by half by rushing to the press to announce the purported suspension of Gov. Otti and other eminent members of the party.

“We enjoin Nigerians to disregard Abure’s laughable statement and continue to see him and his co-conspirators as a group of clowns in desperate search of a crown they do not deserve.”

Peter Obi of the Labour Party has taken a jab at prominent Nigerians and others who ganged up in protest against former President Goodluck Jonathan when he pushed for fuel subsidy removal in 2012, but are now silent as President Bola Tinubu implements the same policy. 

At the memorial of the late Edwin Clark on Wednesday, Mr Obi described the statesman as one who sacrificed for Nigeria but berated other prominent Nigerians like Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Tunde Bakare, Femi Falana, and others who led the protests that shut down the country over Mr Jonathan’s fuel subsidy removal move more than a decade ago.

“I listened to my brother Mike when you talked about, ‘may the Labour of our heroes’ past not be in vain’. I’m happy that Jonathan is here. But I can tell you their sacrifice is in vain. They have sacrificed for nothing. We were in this country, when people were protesting, when there was no need to protest under Goodluck Jonathan. Where are those protesters? Have they died? Where are they?” Mr Obi said.

Making reference to the historic #OccupyNigeria protest in 2012, Mr Obi said: “Jonathan increased fuel from N87 to N120 and people were protesting in this country. And when it was N900 they weren’t protesting. People protested when $1 was N180, and when it was N1,500 they weren’t protesting. Are they dead?”

The #OccupyNigeria protest broke out in January 2012 in response to Mr Jonathan’s move to scrap fuel subsidy, forcing a reversal of the policy.

Over a decade later, Mr Tinubu—who was a staunch opponent of subsidy removal—announced fuel subsidy removal on May 29, 2023, the day he assumed office as Nigeria’s 16th president. The announcement saw fuel prices skyrocket from N145 to over N1,000, and later drop slightly to N950.

Days later, Mr Tinubu also announced exchange rate unification—a policy that saw the Nigerian naira collapse from N750 to the dollar to over N1,500 to the dollar.

The dual policies of the Tinubu-led government have triggered unprecedented economic hardships, forcing Nigerians to hit the streets in protest.

Though some of the prominent Nigerians who participated in the #OccupyNigeria protests have remained silent, thousands of Nigerians shut down the country in a 10-day protest from August 1–10.

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has suspended six prominent members of the party including the party’s only elected Governor, Alex Otti of Abia State. 

This decision was contained in a statement issued by the faction’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, in Abuja, on Wednesday. 

He said, “Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a Five man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr.Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti and any other party members over allegations of anti party activities.

The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today May 7th, 2025 and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee.

Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect.

1. Dr. Alex Otti

2. Senator Ireti Kingibe

3. Senator Darlington Nwokocha

4. Hon. Victor Afam Ogene 

5. Hon. Amobi Ogah

6. Hon. Seyi Sowunmi

By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party. All concerned institutions including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies among others are to take note.

It will surprise Nigerians and party faithfuls that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members of the party. First, we have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party being not a card carrying member of the Party. We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party.

Again, we are aware that Ms Usman recently in a well televised occasion, in cohort with a former Kaduna state governor joined another political party where she pledged loyalty to the party. We are clearly confused where Usman Nenadi’s loyalty lies.

The party leadership is also surprised that Nenadi Usman is talking about corruption when indeed she is the head mistress of corruption. Nigerians are already aware of all the EFCC cases against her and we expect Ms Usman to come out and explain to Nigerians the story behind her Plea Bargain with EFCC and all the properties she allegedly forfeited. She should also tell Nigerians  how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption.

In any event, the party’s financial records are straight and it will interest the members of the public to know that the party’s audited account has been published. INEC being the regulatory body sent their external auditors to audit the party’s account and they gave a clean report and as well commended the party for its financial transparency. It is on record that among the comity of Political Parties in Nigeria, Labour Party financial records was adjudged to be among the best.

Finally, the party has since taken a position on the issue of coalition and we want to reiterate that the party is not interested in any overtures by any group or persons to go into any coalition or merger. Like we have earlier stated, the protagonists of the coalition; those driving the agenda lack the capacity, the character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement. These are people who have failed to manage one political party, how can they manage an amalgam of political parties and their varied interests. Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as stand alone party and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter.”

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has suspended six prominent members of the party, including the party’s only elected governor, Alex Otti of Abia State. 

This decision was contained in a statement issued by the faction’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, in Abuja, on Wednesday.  

He said, “Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a five-man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, and any other party members over allegations of anti-party activities.

“The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today, May 7th, 2025, and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution, has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee.

“Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect. 1. Dr Alex Otti; 2. Senator Ireti Kingibe; 3. Senator Darlington Nwokocha; 4. Hon. Victor Afam Ogene; 5. Hon. Amobi Ogah; 6. Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.”

“By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party. All concerned institutions, including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies, among others, are to take note.

The party also clarified that Nenadi Usman was not included in the suspension list because she is not a registered member of the Labour Party, but merely a supporter of its 2023 presidential candidate.

“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party,” the statement added.

“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, and her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption,” the statement added.

Reaffirming its position on political independence, the Labour Party declared that it will not enter into any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Finally, the party has since taken a position on the issue of coalition, and we want to reiterate that the party is not interested in any overtures by any group or persons to go into any coalition or merger,” the statement added.

“Like we have earlier stated, the protagonists of the coalition, those driving the agenda, lack the capacity, character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement. These are people who have failed to manage one political party; how can they manage an amalgam of political parties and their varied interests? The Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as a standalone party, and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter.”

Gunmen suspected to be armed herders, on Tuesday evening, killed a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, identified as Akaabo Johnson and three other people during an attack on the Mbatsada communities in the Mbalom and Mbasombo council ward in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to the native, the suspected armed herders invaded the communities around 4:35 pm on Tuesday in a commando way and shot indiscriminately, resulting in the death of four people.

The Chairman of Gwer-East LGA, Timothy Adi, who confirmed the incident in a telephone chat on Wednesday, said the attack was unprovoked.

Adi, who decried the activities of armed herders in the council, said that the Tuesday attack was the second within the last two weeks.

He said that security men had been deployed to the area to secure the boundary lines of the local government area, in a bid to prevent further attacks.

Adi said, “Four dead bodies among them an APC elder in the ward were recovered and there bodies taken to St. Gregory Hospital morgue.

“I urge residents, particularly the youth, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to relevant security agencies.

“We must remain united and steadfast. This attack is a tragedy, but we will not allow fear to rule us. Governor Alia is not resting—plans are underway to put an end to these unprovoked attacks.”

The chairman commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his prompt intervention and timely support that had facilitated the rapid deployment of security forces to contain the situation.

Efforts to get the Benue Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, to confirm the development were not successful as her phone rang out, and she has not responded to text messages sent to her cellphone as of the time of filing this report.

In a dramatic twist to the legal battle involving popular gospel music executive, Ezekiel Onyedikachi, better known as EeZeeTee, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dropped its initial allegations of fraudulent conversion of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo’s earnings and instead arraigned him for non-disclosure of his company’s financial transactions.

The EFCC had earlier accused the Chief Executive Officer of EeZee Global Concept Ltd of misappropriating proceeds belonging to Chinwo.

However, in a surprise move, the anti-graft agency, on Wednesday, filed an amended eight-count charge at a Federal High Court in Lagos, focusing instead on regulatory breaches concerning foreign exchange transactions and failure to report company earnings.

According to the new charges, EeZeeTee is alleged to have conducted unauthorized foreign exchange deals and failed to submit necessary disclosures to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) between 2022 and 2023.

During this period, the company reportedly received a total of $255,436 in its corporate account.

One of the charges reads:
“That you, Ezekiel Onyedikachi and EeZee Global Concept Ltd, sometime in June 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, not being an authorized buyer of foreign currency appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria under Section 5(1) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, CAP F34 LFN 2004, negotiated a foreign exchange transaction to wit: the naira equivalent of the sum of $52,895 with Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke.”

The commission also accused EeZeeTee and his company of engaging in another forex transaction amounting to $18,775 with one Gift Ugochi Christopher, without using the official foreign exchange market.

Upon arraignment, EeZeeTee pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Lead defence counsel, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the EFCC.

He urged the court to grant bail in liberal terms, revealing that parties were in active discussions to resolve the matter amicably out of court.

However, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, opposed the bail plea and requested that the defendant be remanded in custody pending determination of the application.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, presiding over the matter, sought clarification on how the defendant appeared in court. In response, the EFCC’s counsel claimed an arrest warrant had been issued.

But Ojukwu countered, stating that his client had been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and had willingly appeared in court.

He further argued that the EFCC had not provided any evidence of a formal invitation that his client ignored.

Following arguments from both sides, Justice Aneke adjourned ruling on the bail application to May 9, 2025.

In the interim, he ordered that EeZeeTee be released to his counsel.

Tension heightened shortly after the court session when EFCC operatives made an attempt to rearrest the defendant at the court’s entrance gate.

The situation, however, was brought under control following the intervention of a senior EFCC official, allowing EeZeeTee to depart peacefully.

Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly has said his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to retain the benefits of the speakership position, for the development of his constituency.

Agbebaku, representing Owan West constituency, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made this known during the plenary on Wednesday where he disclosed that his defection was not driven by personal gains but by a commitment to the welfare of those who elected him.

The Edo Speaker further noted that politics is all about the interest of the people who gave him the mandate to represent them at the State House of Assembly.

The Speaker added that there was also a need to have opposition in the House, while reaffirming his commitment to unity within the Assembly.

He said, “I want to formally let this House know that yesterday, the Speaker of this House, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, defected to the APC.

“My decision was not about party allegiance but rather about the growth, development and progress of my area.

“As a Speaker, if I throw away this position because of the party, the position that would enhance development in my area, it means that I am not ready to serve my people. My constituents were in support of my decision.

“I spoke about some of the projects the governor took to my area yesterday, and the people of Owan West are very happy.

“On that note, I took that decision, and I think to a large extent, my people are happy about it.

“We are all working with the governor to take the state to the next level so that the people will enjoy the dividends of democracy. So, the issue of party affiliations should not arise. To me, there is no party in this House.”

An 18-year-old apprentice has allegedly impregnated 10 girls in just five months, including his master’s daughter and a salesgirl in Anambra State.

Reports say he was first sent to learn a trade under a master, but within three months, he got both his boss’s daughter and a salesgirl pregnant.

This, however, led to his dismissal from the apprenticeship.

The state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, disclosed this in a live video on social media on Wednesday.

Obinabo said the situation got worse after he returned to his village.

She said, “I want advice from the public because this one is beyond my capacity.

“This boy was sent to learn a trade at the age of 18 and three months of apprenticeship, and he impregnated his master’s daughter and his salesgirl. He was sent packing. Two months after that, he impregnated eight other girls in the village.”

Obinabo also said the boy’s mother came to her office to report the issue.

According to her, the mother said, “‘Anytime I see a girl coming towards our house nowadays, my heart would jump, please, I need help.'”

Obinabo said, “This matter is beyond me, the reason I want the public to help me come up with a solution. Is it spiritual?”

She said she asked the boy how he was able to convince the girls.

“I asked the boy the magic he uses in luring the girls to bed, but he told me he always tells them that he loves them and would like to marry them any time he acquires wealth.

“This problem is beyond me because of the boy’s age and the number of pregnant girls involved; that’s why I need help to solve it.”

Obinabo did not mention the name of the boy, his mother, or their community, but she called on the public to suggest solutions.

Nigeria comedian and actor Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has opened up about his recent invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations relating to the abuse of the Naira.

In a post shared on his Instagram page on Wednesday AY disclosed that he was invited for questioning on Monday, May 5, regarding the public spraying of both local and foreign currencies during a recent social event, a practice considered a violation of the Central Bank of Nigeria regulations on currency mutilation.

He wrote, “I am grateful to God for His mercy and guidance. On Monday, I was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding an incident involving the public spraying of both local and foreign currencies, an act that has been classified as an offense related to the abuse of the Naira.

The comedian expressed appreciation to the EFCC and relevant authorities for their understanding and for granting him a pardon after it was confirmed that the money sprayed was not tied to any criminal or illicit activity.

“I want to sincerely thank the EFCC and all authorities involved for their understanding and for granting me pardon based on confirmation that the money being sprayed is not linked to the proceeds of crime or any form of illicit funds.

“This experience has been a valuable lesson, and I am personally committed to promoting awareness about the proper respect and care for our national currency.

“To my friends, family, and the general public: We all know that spraying money at public events is a practice common in Nigerian celebrations, especially during weddings, funerals, and parties. It is generally considered a cultural tradition rather than a criminal act. But let me attach some slides to this post on the DOS AND DON’T.

“It is important to understand that mutilating or abusing the Naira—whether by spraying, tearing, defacing, or mishandling—is not just a cultural practice but also a violation of Nigerian law. Such acts undermine the integrity of our national currency and can have serious legal consequences.

“Let us all strive to uphold the dignity of our currency, which is a symbol of our nation’s sovereignty and economic stability. Respect for the Naira is respect for Nigeria’s future.

“Together, we can promote responsible behaviour and foster a culture of patriotism and integrity.”

Recall that popular Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, also confirmed on her Instagram page on Tuesday that she was contacted by the EFCC while she was in the United Kingdom and honoured the invitation upon her return to Nigeria.

She appeared before the EFCC on Monday, May 5, 2025, where she was reportedly quizzed over certain aspects of her daughter’s recently concluded wedding ceremony.

Both public figures have since pledged to use their platforms to educate Nigerians about the legal implications of currency abuse, particularly the public spraying, tearing, or defacing of the Naira, acts that are punishable under Section 21 of the CBN Act, 2007.