IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Chelsea have confirmed they are in talks with Uefa over their financial sustainability following a potential breach of the governing body's Financial Fair Play rules. The Blues are in talks with Uefa over a settlement relating to their financial results for the year ending June 2024, where the club posted a pre-tax profit of £128.4m, their first since Todd Boehly's Clearlake Capital consortium took ownership of the club.

That figure includes their £200m valuation of their highly successful women's team in a "repositioning" as a separate business from the men's team in a deal with parent company BlueCo at the end of the season. The £200m valuation, which would be a record for a women's team, is yet to be approved by Uefa or the Premier League. On Saturday morning, Chelsea released their detailed accounts which stated the club "has entered into discussions with Uefa regarding mitigating factors affecting their regulatory submissions".

Uefa's laws prohibit any associated party transactions, therefore meaning money generated from selling the women's team would not be included in their Financial Fair Play figures. It would also prohibit the club including the sales of two hotels to a sister company that were used to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR) last season. In last season's accounts, the sales of Chelsea's Copthorne and Millenium hotels were valued at £76.3m by the club. Following the Premier League's assessment, the value of the two hotels was reduced by £6m.

Over a three-year period, clubs competing in European competitions are permitted a total loss of €200m (£170.1m) by Uefa. During the 2023/24 season, Chelsea spent £553m on player purchases and generated £208m of income via player sales. 

Three native doctors in Anambra State—Onyebuchi Okocha (aka Onyeze Jesus), Chidozie Nwangwu (aka Akwa Okuko), and Ekene Igboekweze (aka Eke Hit)—were on Friday arraigned before a High Court over alleged involvement in money rituals and aiding criminals.

Presiding Judge, Justice Jude Obiorah, heard the charges, which include preparing charms and rituals believed to be used for criminal purposes. The court was reportedly overcrowded as the defendants were docked separately.

The case was adjourned to April 11, 2025.

Speaking to journalists, defense counsel Remigus Okoli accused the state government of attempting to remand the accused without giving them sufficient time to prepare. Attempts to reach the prosecution team, led by F.C. Okeke, were unsuccessful. 

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed as false and malicious claims by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that he conspired with ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her.

In a statement on Friday, Akpabio’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, described the allegation as a dangerous smear campaign aimed at damaging his reputation. He also referenced Natasha’s past unproven allegations of sexual harassment, calling her accusations a pattern of misinformation.

Akpabio further refuted claims by former Senator Elisha Abbo, who accused him of orchestrating his removal from the Senate, labeling both accusations as a coordinated political attack.

He has demanded public apologies and retractions from both individuals or risk legal action. 

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has pledged to present evidence backing her sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Speaking on *Politics Today* on Channels Television Thursday, she stated, “At the right time and in the right space, I will present the evidence I have against Akpabio.”

Her remarks come amid ongoing controversy following her suspension from the Senate on March 6 over alleged “gross misconduct” tied to a seating dispute with the Senate President.

Following her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances during a December 8, 2023, visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom, alleging he implied she needed to “take care” of him to enjoy favorable treatment in the chamber. 

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Vice President, has resigned from his position.

Presidency sources confirmed that Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, stepped down about two weeks ago, citing personal reasons.

Appointed in September 2023, he represented the presidency at various high-level engagements during his tenure. His exit comes months after presidential media aide Ajuri Ngelale also resigned to address family health issues, marking the second major resignation from the Tinubu administration. 

Australia's largest pension funds have suffered a wave of coordinated cyberattacks, compromising over 20,000 member accounts and resulting in financial losses, including the theft of A$500,000 from four individuals.

Hackers reportedly targeted major funds such as AustralianSuper, Australian Retirement Trust, Rest, Insignia, and Hostplus—collectively managing more than A$873 billion in retirement savings.

AustralianSuper, which oversees A$365 billion for 3.5 million members, confirmed that about 600 accounts were breached using stolen login credentials.