Entertainment

HEADIES 2021: Who should be the next big act; Omah Lay, Tems, Oxlade, Shmurda?

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The 2021 Headies Award ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 21. Due to the Coronavirus social disctancing guidelines, the award ceremony will be virtual.

On Friday, December 4, the 2021 nomination list for the Awards was published, with 25 categories (excluding the special recognition and hall of fame category). Every single artiste listed deserves the mention.

On Sunday, a new artiste will be crowned the next big thing, a title that every talented artiste thinks he or she deserves. Understandably so, as they have worked so hard; composing songs and entertaining their listeners with their hypnotic vocals.

It is everything- time, energy and passion. Regardless of the result later on Sunday, these guys have given it their all, however, there is always room for improvement.

The most important category at the award show is the “NEXT RATED” category.

Why?

It is the most essential category because this serves as the unveiling of a new generation. A new set of talented individuals who want the world to listen to their message and influence a nation with their voice.

This is the moment in the career of artistes where they begin to hone their craft and build their self-esteem as a person and a celebrity.

Like in Biology, artistes need to experience metamorphosis in their respective careers, otherwise they are considered mediocre and insignificant.

Four youngsters will be battling it out in the “NEXT rated” category, they include- Omah Lay, Tems, Bella Shmurda and Oxlade.

Coming off a tedious 2020, every single nominee deserves to be honoured. These youngsters have decided to remain grounded despite the onerous situation they found themselves in about one year ago.

In February 2020, there was a global pandemic hence, the government ordered a lockdown. Towards the end of the year, there was a nationwide agitation against the government, this time around, the citizens of Nigeria were agitating against police brutality and extra judicial killings in the country.

There was everything to fight for in 2020. Should these artistes have decided not to release a song at the time, everyone would have understood. However, they continued to hone their skill and believe in their dream and aspiration.

These fledgling artistes put their heart in their craft to create masterful pieces in 2020. Bella Shmurda’s ‘Cash App’ was everywhere, Tems worked with Wizkid, Omah Lay released one of the most popular music projects of 2020, and Oxlade has continued to tread that path of excellence.

No doubt, every single nominee deserves the recognition; but only one person will be going home with the award.

This is the beginning of a new level in the career of these nominees, hence, it is quintessential that they build from here regardless of the result on Sunday night.

Tems, Omah Lay, Oxlade And Bella Shmurda will be looking to go home with a brand new Toyota SUV.

It’s not about the vehicle however, this category has catapulted several artistes into mainstream success; a win on the Headies Award night would serve as the precedent to greatness.

Afrobeats legends, Wizkid and Davido emerged victorious in the ‘Next Rated Award’ category in 2010 and 2011 respectively, both icons have since gone on to enjoy mainstream success.

Burna Boy, another ex-Next Rated award nominee is on a lofty league of his as he has always been. Today, he is a 2-time Grammy nominee, in 2021, his aim and objective is to deliver a winner’s speech. That’s what Burna aims for.

So who among the four nominees do you think deserves to be crowned as the next big act to follow in the steps of the previous stars before them. Drop your vote below.

In the meantime, we should all cross our fingers and see how the award show plays out.

Entertainment

Actor, Emmanuel Ikubese’s marriage crumbles after less than one year

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The marriage of popular Nollywood actor and former Mr Nigeria, Emmanuel Ikubese seems to have crashed after he has taken down his wedding photos from Instagram.

Emmanuel Ikubese tied the knot with a makeup artist, Anita Adetoye in 2020. In 2019, the couple held their engagement ceremony in Lagos state, and their white wedding in March 2020.

They had a low profile wedding ceremony due to the lockdown guidelines at the time.

The couple’s marriage was perceived to be going through a turmoil after both parties unfollowed each other on Instagram and deleted photos from their wedding ceremony from their respective platforms.

Neither party has disclosed what is going on in their matrimonial home.

A look at their respective Instagram pages reveals that they have both unfollowed.

Anita’s boss, media personality Toke Makinwa at the time had taken to her social media platform to congratulate her makeup artist.

See search results from their pages:

Entertainment

Yinka Davies pens emotional message to late son

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Singer, Yinka Davies has penned an emotional message to her late son. Jeremiah.
Jeremiah, her first child died on Feb 2 at 27 after battling with an autoimmune blood tissue disorder for months.

In her message on instagram, she expressed how much she and the rest of the family misses him.
She thanked him for being a good son.
“Thank you for being a great son,
I was told your thoughts will spring on me once in a while,
They think me strong and yet, not realising that HIS strength is made perfect in my weakness!
We all miss you desperately especially your brother, his bravado is so misleading….
“You know my darling, I have not stopped to wonder why in pictures, you are always on the left
I send you kisses, hugs, love and cheer
Say hello JESUS for me.”

Entertainment

Lady Attended Her Ex Boyfriend’s Wedding And She Was Served The Best Food With A Separate Cooler

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According to reports, a young lady who went to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding was given the best food at the ceremony. According to the reporter who shared the information on a social media platform, he said that the incident happened in Anambra state, Nsugbe.

Look closely you will see that the young lady was served in a cooler which contains breadfruit. Breadfruit is called “Ukwa” in Igbo and it is one of their best and most valuable food.

In most ceremonies, the host usually reserves the breadfruit (Ukwa) for special dignitaries at the ceremony. The Igbo people give great value to breadfruit (Ukwa) because it is one of their most precious meal.

Based on the post, the girl who was said to be the Ex-girlfriend of the groom was served breadfruit in a big cooler and she was given a long spoon to eat the food. Many people reacted to the post, everyone shared their view.

The information was also confirmed by another social media user, he said that the ceremony took place in his hometown in Nsugbe.

Entertainment

I slaughter many children inside my church

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After killing many children inside her church, an Onitsha prophetess has been nabbed in Anambra state.

The prophetess allegedly lures and kills children in her church for ritual. The Prophetess’ ministry is said to be located at Awka road in Onitsha.

Eyewitnesses also alleged that many other children were found unconscious in the woman’s home at 33 area of Onitsha.

Media personality, Gwen Divy Ifeson who shared videos from the scene wrote;

An old woman who runs a ministry at Awka road, Onitsha has been arrested.

Reports said that the woman lures children whom she allegedly butchered for “rituals”.

Several children were also found in her house unconscious at the 33 axis of Onitsha.

Entertainment, World News

Rating of Master KG’s hit song,”Jerusalema” .

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Master KG’s hit song , “Jerusalema” is Platinum in France (200,000 sales), Platinum in Belgium (40,000 sales) & 2x Platinum in Italy (140,000 sales).

It was #1 in Belgium, Romania, Hungary, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, #2 in France, Austria, Italy, #3 in Germany, #4 in Ireland.

Master KG’s Jerusalema was #1 on US World Digital Song Sales, Euro Digital Songs, #9 on Canadian Digital Songs, US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, #10 in Nicaragua, Spain, #14 in Scotland, #15 in Portugal, #17 in Panama, #38 on the Billboard Global 200 and #55 in Slovakia, the UK.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

Kim Kardashian files to divorce Kanye West

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Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from rapper Kanye West, according to reports in US media.

The couple have been married for almost seven years and have four children together.

The news was broken by celebrity news website TMZ after months of rumours of marital difficulties.

Reports in US media suggest the reality star, 40, has requested joint legal and physical custody of their children. Neither have publicly commented.

The couple are among the most recognisable stars in the world and are both hugely successful in their own right.

Kim first found fame in 2007 as the star of an E! Television reality series about her family. Keeping up with the Kardashians has remained hugely popular since, with its 21st and final series due to air next year.

The reality star has found success in many other areas of business, from mobile apps to make-up, and Forbes estimates her personal wealth to be about $780m (£556m).

Kanye West has been one of the biggest names in rap music for over 15 years and has also found incredible success as a fashion designer.

The couple were friends for years before they got together. They had their first daughter, North, in 2013 with three more children – Saint, Chicago and Psalm – following after their 2014 marriage.

Entertainment

Ebonyi man accused of killing wife acquitted after eight years in prison

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Chukwudi Omeh, a man accused of allegedly killing his wife has been discharged and acquitted by a State High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on Thursday.

Omeh regained freedom after he had spent eight years in prison custody.

The judge, Vincent Nwanchor, said the accused was not guilty of the allegation as there was no evidence from the prosecutor to prove that the husband was the killer.

Mr Omeh’s wife, Chinagorom, was three months pregnant when she was killed and her remains dumped in a forest.

The body was reportedly found after three days.

The defence counsel, Ejem Nwaopkosi, said the defendant was kept in prison custody since 2013. He expressed joy that justice had been served.

“The judgement is in our favour. The prosecutor could not provide any ingredient of proof that the accused committed the crime,” Mr Nwaopkosi said.

Entertainment

Remember The Akwa-Ibom Lady Who Killed Her Mom, See What Has Becomes Of Her

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We live in terrible times, and truly everyday we see new things happening that makes us realize that we really do live in a wicked world. Some humans on this Earth, are truly evil, and they go about doing evil, forgetting that one day, they will pay the price. Even the Bible says that whatever a man sow, that shall he also reap.

Few weeks ago, a lady from Akwa Ibom, went viral, for killing her mother and butchering her to pieces. This incident happened in Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom. And as at that time of her arrest, she was made to walk round carrying the butchered body of her mom on her head.

The lady was arrested, and remanded in prison. During her arrest, some people were claiming that she is not mentally sound. But while she was in prison, medical checkup was conducted on her, and it was found that the said lady is mentally sound. After she was certified mentally Ok, she was taken to court. And on 13th February 2021, she was sentenced to death.

That someonene would have the mind to kill his or her own mother, is unbelievable.

But this lady did so, and she has gotten what she deserves in return. JUSTICE has been served.

Entertainment

NOUN student who set out to write exam went missing and later found dead around Gbagada

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Truly, Life is vanity and all that is in it are all vanity aswell, a dedicated and committed student of National open university of Nigeria (NOUN) has just been found dead after missing for a day.

Remember, one thing that all students does not joke or toil with their examination, some student will go as fast as doing night reading all in the name of pass and have good grades. NOUN is currently writing her exam and lot of students are doing all they can to meet up with their exam time, remember NOUN is not like every other university that harbour students around.

Yesterday, it was reported that a 200level student from the department of Business Administration went missing on her way to write her exam. A lot of effort was made to get the little girl, but she was nowhere to be found.

Most of her friends took to their social media platform to tweet and post about her missing. Earlier today, her body was found around gbagada lying lifeless on the floor. She has been murdered by some unknown people.

Many of Fatimah’s friends confirmed that Fatima is a good and decent girl, soany said she is not the type that keep males friend. They have just mudered a girl with a bright and colorful full pictures.

This is indeed a great loss to the parent and NOUN students as a whole, till now, there is no news about those that did this terrible thing to her.

Entertainment

Man arrested for beating wife to death over phone call in Lagos

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A 48-year-old man, David Idibie, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly beating his wife, Juliana, to death for receiving a phone call from another man.

According to the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the incident happened in the Ajah area of the state on Tuesday night while Idibie was arrested on Wednesday.

Adejobi in a statement, said the incident occurred at the couple’s residence at Joado Street, Oke Ira Nla, a suburb of the state.

The police spokesman said residents informed the police at the Langbasa Division and detectives were dispatched to the scene where the suspect was arrested.

The police statement reads:

“The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one David Idibie, male, of Joado Street, Oke Ira Nla, Ajah area of Lagos State, for the murder of his wife, one Juliana Idibie, female, 42, of same address, on 16th February, 2021 at about 10pm.

It was gathered that the deceased had engaged the suspect in a hot argument on certain matrimonial issues and in the process, she slumped and sustained severe head injury.

While lying in a pool of blood, the angry husband refused to rescue her until she gave up the ghost.

“The police operatives attached to Langbasa Division, Ajah, who were informed of the ugly incident by a neighbour of the couple, raced to the scene, arrested the suspect and evacuated the corpse to the mortuary.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has condemned the act and vowed to work with other relevant government agencies and non-governmental bodies to tackle domestic violence to a standstill in the state.

The police boss has ordered that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, for proper investigation.

“While reiterating his zero tolerance for crimes and criminality, especially domestic violence, CP Hakeem Odumosu admonishes couples to always resolve their differences and conflicts with decorum and maturity as the law will not spare anyone who kills his or her spouse.”

A neighbour of the Idibies who also confirmed the incident, said Idibie had often engaged his wife in a fight after complaining that she was sleeping around with other men.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

TBT With Timaya.

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Inetimi Alfred Odon was born on November 29, 1977, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He grew up in a very large family. Now he is better known by his stage name Timaya. In fact, he was the youngest of fifteen children in his family. His father worked as a banker and his mother was a trader.

For his early education, Odon attended Assemblies of God Nursery and Primary School. As for secondary school, his parents chose Nkpolu Oroworukwo for Timaya to attend. The school was also located in Port Harcourt. As a little boy, Timaya often broke family rules and attended late-night music events. Before Timaya’s graduation, his mom let him, his older brother and sister travel to Lagos. Timaya loved the city and after moving out, he gained admission into Lagos’ Ikeja Grammar School.

This was where he obtained his secondary school certificate. Later on, Timaya returned to Port Harcourt and started to become a Banking and Finance major. But he failed his exams and could not finish his studies. Timaya dropped out after his first semester and went to pursue his dream. He moved back to Lagos and joined Eedris Abdulkareem’s hip-hop group. He was just a backup vocalist, but those three years working for Eedris gave him a lot.

He gained valuable experience and learned how to compose good music. Top most interesting facts about Humblesmith The start of music career At that time, he decided to leave the group and focus on his solo career. He began to feel that he wanted to become something bigger than just a backup singer. He wanted everyone to hear his voice and not someone else’s.

He decided to come out of his shade and began to record and collaborate with fellow up-and-coming artists. His first cameo appearance was in a Lagos-based rap group, called UDX.’s musical video. It was at this time that he unexpectedly met producer K-Solo in Mafoluku, Oshodi. Later, this producer helped Timaya record his first major hit “Dem Mama”.

The producer K-Solo, describing the song in an interview posted on August 2013, said that “Dem Mama” was an account of the 1999 destruction of Odi. This is a river side community in Niger Delta. Soldiers at that time were hunting down militants and they were suspected of killing eight policemen. The village got burnt down and numerous people got killed or just lost.

Interesting facts from Harrysong`s biography fans should know After the huge success of “Dem Mama”, Timaya decided to accept K-Solo’s offer and worked with him on seven more hits. For his first album “True Story”, he recorded seven different songs and released it in 2007. Not long after, Timaya started to work right away on his second album with well-known producers Phyno, Jeggs, Akeem D Beat, K-Solo, Spankie, and Terry G.

Entertainment

Man Sentenced To Death By Hanging For Killing Delivery Agent In Rivers

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A High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has sentenced a young man to death by hanging for the murder of a delivery agent with an online marketing store, Jumia, in March 2017.

The convict, Mr. Sodienye Mbatumukeke was arrested alongside his friends, Mr. Divine Excel Naabe and Miss Joy Eluwa for the murder of the delivery agent, Chukwuma Eleje who was said to have delivered expensive smartphones which they ordered online to the convict’s apartment before he was attacked and killed.

His body was recovered in a septic tank in the apartment on Ada-George Road in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on March 27, 2017.

The female suspect, Joy Eluwa, said to be the girlfriend of the convict was, however, released while the two male suspects went on trial.

Almost four years into the trial, the presiding Judge, Justice I. P. Chigoezi-Igwe on Monday found Mr. Mbatumukeke guilty on two counts of murder and armed robbery.

The Judge described the murder as gruesome, saying the sentence will serve as a deterrent to others.

Justice I. P. Chigoezi-Igwe however discharged and acquitted the second defendant Divine Excel Naabe of murder and armed robbery.

He said the prosecution team did not present convincing evidence against the second defendant.

Items presented as evidence by the prosecution team in course of the trial included a bed sheet, a mortar and pestle, a marine rope, and a hand glove, all stained with blood.

Entertainment

The 22-Year-Old South African Cross Dresser And His Gay Partner.

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Thulasizwe Siphiwe Dambiza, popularly known as Lasizwe, is a South African version of the Nigerian cross dresser and social media personality, Bobrisky. The 22-year-old Soweto born is the only son among his parents’ three children. He enjoyed absolute guidance and protection from his mum and two sisters whom he credited his joyous childhood for.

Unfortunately, he lost his mum in 2016, the time he was still a budding internet sensation, and his dad last year.

The handsome guy said he had noticed since his childhood that there was something strange about him; he wouldn’t feel comfortable playing or talking with boys, and he always got lost when having discussions with masculine topic. However, he stated that he could relate well with anything feminine. When he reached the age of 15, he started recognising himself as gay. 

Lasizwe exploit his ability to effortlessly imitate female gender to produce funny contents on social media, and host female related programs on television. At 22, he is already a household name across South Africa. 

He often upload pictures of himself with his sisters and female friends on his social media accounts, but whenever it comes to his special moment, only one guy has always fill the space. And yesterday, which was Valentine’s day, Lasizwe properly showed his fans on social media how it feels like to be in love.

Entertainment

Staff Of A Finance Company Who Plotted Robbery Attack At His Office In Lagos

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He was sure of having hatched the plot well, and he had done so much to perfect the plan to ensure he will get his strategies right. Last year, he had told his close friends that his first plan in 2021 is to get himself a Toyota Venza, among other good things of life. All he was banking on to achieve this was the success of his plan to rob his boss. Ayo Moses Olaosebikan was a staff of Ade Hariyike Global Enterprises, a financial company based in Lagos, where he had worked for over 12 months before he was caught in the act few weeks back.

Investigations revealed that he connived with one of the (supposedly notorious) street guys in the Oyingbo area of Lagos, where the finance company is located, and they had gone far with their plan to attack the office and cart away cash. The culprit had already given exact details about how and when cash is being moved in and out of the office to his co-plotters. The office accountant was a major target in the planned attack.

Apart from physical meetings with his major accomplice, they also exchanged several whatsapp messages. Olaosebikan thought he had every side of the plan covered and they had set the date to strike. But unknown to him, the owner of the finance company got lucky! The main accomplice he was setting all the plans with was only leading him on. He was the one who reached out to the lady-owner of the company to leak the secret plot brought to him by one of her main staff.

According to sources, Olaosebikan never had any idea that the person he was planning with had known his boss for many years. The lady had been benevolent to this guy, (even unknown to her in the past) and when he reached out to her anonymously to leak the plot, he revealed that he had to tag along so he could get enough evidence to make her know the magnitude of what her staff was planning behind her.

The guy recorded all their phone conversations, and kept screenshots of the messages they exchanged on whatsapp. He made all these available to the company boss. He told her about how they had planned to rob her of over N5 million naira on the particular date they set to strike.

She later reported the case to the police, with all the available evidences. Meanwhile, Olaosebikan had reportedly bolted out of Lagos before his arrest could be effected. Investigations into the case are still ongoing, as a manhunt has already started for the culprit, sources at the company.

Entertainment

Hawaii Toddler Has Been Missing for Weeks, and Dad Allegedly Confessed to Beating Her to Death

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The father of 18-month-old Kytana Ancog, the Hawaiian toddler who went missing earlier this month, has allegedly confessed to beating her to death.

Kytana was last seen alive on Jan. 31, when her mother dropped her off at her father Travis Rodrigues’ Aiea home. Less than a week later, she was dead.

While authorities have yet to find Kytana’s body, newly released court documents reveal her final days alive and the alleged effort her father took to hide her death, the San Francisco Chronicle, Honolulu Star Advertiser and Hawaii News Now report.

According to the documents, one witness told police that, on or around Feb. 4, they saw Rodrigues allegedly slap, kick and swear at the toddler— leaving her bloodied and bruised. The 40-year-old also allegedly tried to give his daughter his meth pipe.

The witness said when they returned to Rodrigues’ home the next day they saw Kytana “dangling as if lifeless” while her father “was smoking methamphetamine and looking high.”

During an interview with police, Rodrigues allegedly admitted to beating and squeezing his daughter until she passed out. When he believed she was dead, police say, Rodrigues allegedly claimed he did not call them and instead wrapped her body in a bed sheet, hid it in a duffle bag and had an acquaintance dispose of it.

The acquaintance, identified as 48-year-old Scott M. Carter, has been charged with first-degree hindering prosecution.

On Tuesday, Kytana’s family released a statement hours after the documents were released, KITV reports.

“At this time our family would like to say thank you for all your prayers and words of encouragement that have been extended to us in this very trying and heartbreaking time.  We are devastated to hear the details of what happened to Kytana on February 4th,” the family said. “If anyone knows where Kytana is, please come forward so we can bring her home and lay our sweet baby girl to rest.”

Rodrigues and Carter remain behind bars on bail— Rodrigues for $2 million and Carter for $1 million. Attorney information for both men was unclear Wendesday.

The search for Kytana’s body continues.

Entertainment

Secondary Schoolgirl Takes Gun To School To Shoot Teacher Who Asked Her To Cut Her Hair

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A senior secondary school girl in her 14 has been arrested after she attempted to shoot her teacher with a pistol in Cross River State

PARADISE NEWS learnt that the student whose name is yet to be ascertained was arrested on Wednesday at Government Secondary School, Ikot Ewa in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River State.

According to Otunba Charles Edem, an eyewitness who shared the story, the teenager wanted to shoot her teacher for asking her to cut hair.

This girl went to school at Government Secondary School Ikot Ewa with a gun to shoot her teacher for asking her to cut her coloured hair…

Wonders can never end”, Otunba Charles Edem said.

Before now, school was a tamer for stubborn children and teachers where being feared like Hogan Bassey. Today, all that is in the past as both Parents and Students mistreat teachers for whatever reasons.

Entertainment

EFCC defends new chairman, Bawa, against corruption allegations

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has defended the newly appointed chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, claiming that there is no truth in the allegations of corruption levied against him.

The anti-graft agency’s defence is coming amidst allegations that Bawa was arrested and detained while serving as the zonal head of the EFCC in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital for allegedly selling off about 244 trucks seized from looters.

According to the allegations, Bawa sold the trucks that should have gone for between N20 million and N30 million each for a paltry sum of N100,000 each to his cronies, depriving the nation of N4.8 billion in recovery of looted funds.

The commission, however in a statement by its spokesman, Wilson Uwajuren on Tuesday, claimed Bawa has no corruption record.

The statement read in part: “The commission wishes to state categorically that Mr Bawa was never arrested or detained over sale of any assets.

“As zonal head of the Port Harcourt office of the commission in 2019, Bawa’s responsibilities did not include the sale of assets as the commission has a full-fledged Directorate of Assets Forfeiture and Recovery Management, which remit such matters.

For the avoidance of doubt, the disposal of finally forfeited trucks in the Port Harcourt zonal office through public auction, was conducted after the exit of Bawa as zonal head. It is therefore illogical for him to have been indicted over an auction that was not superintended by him.

“The auction of trucks at the Port Harcourt Office was among the issues examined by the Justice Ayo Salami Panel, leading to the suspension of some officers of the commission. The commission, therefore, enjoins the public to disregard the false publication which is believed to be sponsored by mischief makers to impugn the integrity of the EFCC chairman-designate.”

It would be recalled that the alleged diversion and sale of the trucks formed part of the allegations levied against the former acting Chairman of the agency, Ibrahim Magu, who was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari, and faced the Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential Panel of Inquiry.

Reports that surfaced online after the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina announced Bawa’s appointment, have it that he was briefly detained in Port Harcourt before he was ordered to report at the EFCC Academy in Abuja, from where he was transferred to Lagos as the zonal head.

Entertainment

Couple jailed 40 years each for N53m fraud

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A couple, Ebiesuwa Abayomi Fredrick and his wife, Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle, was on Monday sentenced to 40 years imprisonment each by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.

They were found guilty on all four counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence brought against them by the Ibadan Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

The couple, in what was regarded as a classic advance fee fraud scheme, fleeced one Dunni Olateru Olagbegi N53,713,260.00 in cash and bank transfer through a spiritual cleansing gambit in order to avoid calamitous consequence of mysterious sudden death having heard conversation by a syndicate about a Ghana- Must –Go bag stuffed with United States Dollar bills in the boot of a car. She was also tricked into bringing funds to cleanse the supposed USD bills.

The victim had sometimes in May 2013, boarded a taxi cab with three other passengers who, unknown to her, were members of a syndicate of fraudsters. As soon as she entered the vehicle, she heard the three other supposed passengers arguing about a Ghana-Must-Go bag filled with US Dollars in the boot of the car.

Moments later, one of the syndicate member told her that she must be cleansed to avert sudden and mysterious death having heard their discussion. She was taken to an unknown destination, where she subsequently started giving the defendants, and the other members of the syndicate (at large) various sums in cash and bank payment totaling N53,713,260.00 to buy instruments for the cleansing of United States Dollar notes, which she allegedly sourced from the sale of her properties in both Ibadan and Lagos.

According to a statement made available by Head, media and publicity of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, in the course of investigation, It was discovered that over N9m was paid into the second defendant, Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle’s account domiciled in one of the third generation banks; apart from other funds traced to the first defendant, Ebiesuwa Abayomi Fredrick’s account.

It was also discovered that the first defendant built Victoria East Park Hotel & Suite located at Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State from the proceeds of the crime.

In his judgment, Justice Abdulmalik found the couple guilty of the four-count charge and sentenced both of them to 10 years imprisonment on each of the four counts. However, while Ebiesuwa’s prison term takes effect from June 19, 2017 when he was arrested, Tinuola’s time in the Custodial Centre will start counting from May 26, 2017 when she was arrested.

The Judge also ordered that Victoria East Park Hotel & Suite, “be sold and the proceed, if not up to N53,713,260.00 be returned to the victim in the case and if it exceeds, the balance be paid into the Federal Government’s account”.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Ebiesuwa Abayomi Fredrick, Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle and (others still at large) between 28 March,2014 at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, with intent to defraud did obtain by false pretense, the sum of Nine Million, Three Hundred and Fifty-Two Thousand, One Hundred Naira (N9,352,100.00) only, from one Dunni Olateru-Olagbegi, under the pretense that the money was to be used to purchase instrument for the cleansing of United States of American Dollar notes, which pretense you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1) & (2) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2016.

Entertainment

Court sends Ilorin ‘yahoo boy’ to prison over love scam

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A 34-year-old graduate, Kelvin Isioma Monye, was on Monday February 15, 2021 sentenced to six months imprisonment by Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, having found him guilty of offences bordering on romance scam.

Monye, a graduate of Agricultural Science, was arraigned on a two-count charge by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

His problem started on January 12, 2021 when some concerned residents of Tanke area in Ilorin petitioned the Commission over the activities of some internet fraudsters around the neighbourhood. A statement by head, media and publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said Investigations into the petition led to his arrest.

Particulars of count 2 of the charge read:”That you, Kelvin Isioma Monye (alias: Hassan George), sometime in the month of June 2018, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation, by portraying yourself as a white male named Hassan via your email address kelvinmonye37@gmail.com to one Louise Evan and induced her to send you $1000 in gift cards, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law.”

He pleaded ‘guilty’ to the two counts.

While reviewing the facts of the case, Olasode Olumide, an operative of the EFCC told the court that Monye was arrested on January 13, 2021.

“He was profiled and in the process an iPhone 6 and a Sony Laptop were recovered from him”, Olumide said.

The witness said several fraudulent documents were printed out from Monye’s email address in the presence of his lawyer. He stated that further findings showed that the defendant was a Nigerian, but claimed to be an American citizen.

The witness, however, informed the court that the defendant in the course of investigation brought a draft of N460,000 as restitution of his crime”

In his judgment, Justice Abdulgafar convicted and sentenced Monye to three months imprisonment on each of the two counts, adding that the sentences would run concurrently.

The judge, in addition ordered that the iPhone 6 and Sony Laptop which were used as instruments of the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, including the sum of N460,000 which he restituted .

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