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Naira Marley freed at last!

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The bail application hearing for Naira Marley was held on Thursday, May 30, 2019, before Justice Oweibo, at the Federal High Court located at Ikoyi, Lagos.

The court premises was packed with supporters of the music star as there was barely any space for people to move around. As usual, the security apparatus was able to match the crowd who came to support their ‘idol’ on his bail application hearing.

Even the efforts of the security operatives could not deter the teaming supporters who wanted to catch a glimpse and escort Naira Marley into the courtroom Naira Marley arrived in the court premises some minute after eleven in the morning, with the security operatives of the Nigeria Prison Service. His fans who came in large number were spotted all over the court premises chanting praises to their supposed ‘idol.’ Even the efforts of the security operatives could not deter the teaming supporters who wanted to catch a glimpse and escort Naira Marley into the courtroom. Naira Marley to court wearing a black T-shirt and black trousers, this time around he looked a bit relaxed.

Naira Marley’s legal team, unlike his previous arraignment, came in full force and prepared. He was defended by not just one but nine lawyers who all came to get him out of jail. Top on the list of Chief Olalekan Ojo (SAN) who was supported by Olayinka Ojo, M. Oregba, Femi Martins, Akinwale Kola Taiwo, Afeez Olabisi, Ebuka Anyim, Adeboyo Adedokun, and P.I. Uwakwe.

Olalekan Ojo started off by apologising to the Justice Oweibo for not showing up at the previous arraignment which he attributed to the heavy downpour. Olalekan Ojo started off by apologising to the Justice Oweibo for not showing up at the previous arraignment which he attributed to the heavy downpour. He, however, commenced his bail application for Naira Marley by stating that the defendant filed a written 18 paragraph affidavit by Naira Marley’s mother on Thursday, May 30, 2019, after getting served a the court an affidavit on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. He then went on to pray the court to grant Naira Marley bail based on liberal grounds.

The defense counsel went to debunk the insinuation that Naira Marley was going to jump bail if granted bail. He went on give a Yoruba proverbs which say ”A person cannot steal the trumpet that belongs to the king because he has nowhere to blow it,” which according to him means that, there was no way Naira Marley was going to jump bail or become a flight risk as presumed by the EFCC counsel.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo opposed Naira Marley’s bail application, citing several grounds of which he wanted him remanded in prison custody. According to him, there was a counter-affidavit filed by the investigating officer of the EFCC, whose findings leaves them with no doubt that bail application should be rejected.

He went to remind the Judge that Naira Marley as a celebrity has a lot of influence on his fans and young Nigerians at large and granting him bail will send a wrong signal to the general public. According to him, there is an upsurge of cyber crimes in the country which if not handled legally, is a time bomb waiting to happen in Nigeria. For Rotimi Oyedepo, he prayed the Judge to give an accelerated hearing of the case rather granting Naira Marley bail.

He, however, granted him bail to the tune of N2M and two sureties; one a civil servant with the grade level 10 and second surety with a landed property in the jurisdiction where the case is being held.

After listening to both prosecution and defense counsel, the judge gave his ruling. According to him, the EFCC hasn’t been able to present enough evidence to keep Naira Marley in the prison custody. He, however, granted him bail to the tune of N2M and two sureties; one a civil servant with the grade level 10 and second surety with a landed property in the jurisdiction where the case is being held.

The next hearing date was fixed but a tentative date was given which is between 22, 23 and 24 of October 2019.

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Glo Raises Bar in Mobile Entertainment with Launch of New ‘Travel Saga’

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Globacom has raised the bar in mobile entertainment with the launch of Travel Saga, a premium, high-octane gaming experience now live and available exclusively to Glo subscribers.

Travel Saga is a richly woven, story-driven role-playing adventure crafted to deliver the rush, depth and competitive intensity associated with some of the world’s most celebrated action titles. Meticulously optimized for mobile devices, the game translates a console-grade experience onto data-enabled handsets, redefining mobile gaming as a fully-fledged digital battlefield.

At its core, Travel Saga propels players through fast-paced virtual odysseys set against iconic global backdrops. Gamers are plunged into relentless missions, pitched battles and ever-expanding storylines, where skill, strategy and stamina determine who ascends the ranks to emerge as a true war hero within a vibrant, constantly evolving gaming universe.

Beyond the thrill of combat, subscribers are invited to explore diverse destinations, engage in adrenaline-charged challenges and compete fiercely for in-app rewards, including victory badges and points. Each level deepens the immersion, sustaining momentum and excitement with every encounter and achievement.

The service is offered on flexible subscription plans, priced at ₦100 per day and ₦250 per week, with the convenience of one-time or auto-renewal options. Customers can subscribe instantly by dialing *70021#, unlocking immediate access to the action.

With Travel Saga, Glo once again affirms its commitment to innovation and premium digital experiences, placing world-class gaming within effortless reach of its subscribers delivering unbroken action, adventure and competition, powered seamlessly by the Glo network.

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Nollywood Actress Allwell Ademola Dies at 43

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The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, has been thrown into mourning following the sudden and tragic passing of actress and producer Allwell Ademola.

The 43-year-old actress reportedly died on Saturday, sending shockwaves through the entertainment community and her legion of fans.

According to multiple reports from within the film industry, the tragic event unfolded at Ademola’s residence, where she is said to have suffered a sudden heart attack.

She was swiftly rushed to a nearby hospital, but medical efforts were unable to save her life. The unexpected nature of her death, at such a relatively young age, has been a primary source of the widespread shock and disbelief.

News of her passing ignited an immediate and emotional outpouring of tributes on social media from heartbroken colleagues, highlighting the deep bonds within the Nollywood community and the high esteem in which she was held.

Fellow actress Faithia Williams expressed her raw grief on Instagram, writing: “Haaaa. This hit me so bad. Eniobanke. Allahu Akbar..Allwell.” Her post encapsulated the stunned reaction of many.

Actress Mide Martins marked the day as a “BLACK SATURDAY……” on Facebook, accompanying a photo of Ademola with the anguished plea, “This is not fair. May God forgive your shortcomings Allwell.”

Actor Damola Olatunji shared a somber, philosophical note with a candlelight image, captioning it simply, “Life is a mirage.”

The disbelief was palpable in the reaction of actress Bidemi Kosoko, who fervently rejected the initial reports: “No way. No, no,, no. Ko possible ooo. This isn’t true. God forbid, in Jesus’ name… I refuse to accept this one Lai Lai God forbid… Just reply to my message, abeg Oremi/ aunty mi. I will wait patiently for your reply.”

Allwell Ademola was a prominent figure in the Yoruba-language sector of Nollywood, known for her compelling performances and her work behind the camera as a producer.

Her sudden departure has left a significant void in the industry, prompting a period of collective mourning and reflection on her contributions to Nigerian cinema. Details regarding funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

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Hollywood Bubbles As Season of Awards Sets in

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By Samantha Ofole-Prince

From AAFCA to BAFTA, the Golden Globes to the Critics Choice Awards, it’s certainly the season of splurges and speeches.

Each year between November and March, Hollywood becomes host to a majority of significant film awards as numerous guilds and critics associations heap accolades on movies which have moved them.

With 3 more major awards that include the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Oscars and the Image Awards left to dole out their nominations list, Samantha Ofole-Prince shares the scorecard on who’s snagged what statuettes so far.

Paul Thomas Anderson‘s action-thriller “One Battle After Another” has dominated the season. The film about a washed-up ex-revolutionary on a quest to rescue his daughter from a resurfaced nemesis that stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, Sean Penn and Teyana Taylor, has struck a chord with audiences receiving more accolades than any other movie. Some of the categories it has been nominated for include Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Ensemble, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Design and Best Visual Effects.  The film will most likely receive multiple Oscar nominations on January 22nd.

“Sinners,” the supernatural horror film directed by Ryan Coogler, follows close behind with 17 nominations, nearly matching the record of 18 that “Barbie” achieved two years ago from the Critics Choice Awards. The film collected a nod for Best Picture, while cast members Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Mosaku, and Miles Caton are up for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Young Actor / Actress respectively. Ryan Coogler was recognized in the categories of Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, and the film also received nods for Best Casting and Ensemble, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Hair and Makeup, Best Visual Effects, Best Stunt Design, Best Song, Best Score, and Best Sound. Coogler also received the Director Award at the Critics Choice 8th annual Celebration of Black Cinema.

Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” hasn’t done too badly either this awards season. The live-action film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel about a scientist bringing a monstrous creature to life in a daring experiment, earned several Golden Globe nominations with additional recognition at the Critics Choice Awards and Gotham Awards for its screenplay, design, and performances.

Other notable nominations include Akinola Davies Jr.’s “My Father’s Shadow.” His feature length film debut, which is set against the backdrop of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election, has won several notable awards and special mentions at international film festivals and award ceremonies.  Directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother Wale, it secured two major awards at the 35th Annual Gotham Film Awards with a Breakthrough Director for Akinola, an Outstanding Lead Performance for its main actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù. The film also received 12 total nominations at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).

Tessa Thompson’s role as a manipulative woman in an entangled relationship between two men in the movie “Hedda” recently earned her several nominations including a Golden Globe nod for Best Actress, a Spirit Award nomination and Best Actress wins at the African American Film Critics Award and Critics Choice Celebration of Black Cinema. Other accolades include Gotham Awards and nominations for Best Film at the BFI London Film Festival, with production design and score.

Notable Nigerian actors Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo and Ego Nwodim have also received accolades. Idris received a Best Supporting Actor nod from the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) and was honored by the Critics Choice Association (CCA) for his role as a race car drive in the movie “F1.” Erivo received two Golden Globe nominations and a Critics Choice Award nomination for her work in “Wicked: For Good” in the Best Actress category and Ego Nwodim received a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for “Saturday Night Live.”

Despite decent reviews and strong performances from both Dwayne Johnson, who plays a real-life former amateur wrestler and mixed martial artist in the movie “The Smashing Machine,” and Ayo Edebiri, who plays a PHD student who accuses a Yale Professor of rape in the film “After the Hunt,” both have failed to garner many accolades. Johnson did receive his first Golden Globe nomination and Edebiri, an Emmy and SAG award-winning actor, writer, producer, director, and comedian, did get another Golden Globe nod in the television category, but it was for her portrayal of chef Sydney on the television series “The Bear.”

Now the countdown begins to the Oscar nominations, one of the most-watched live entertainment events of the year, the NAACP Image Awards and the SAG Awards nominations.

Samantha Ofole-Prince is a U.S. based journalist and movie critic who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film.

Photos: Critics Choice Association

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