Entertainment

Naira Marley freed at last!

Published

5 years ago

May 30, 2019

Eric

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.

Entertainment

Simi Features As Special Guest on Glo-sponsored African Voices

Published

4 days ago

April 20, 2024

Eric

Star singer Simi is special guest on Glo-sponsored African Voices

This weekend’s edition of African Voices Changemakers, on CNN International, will feature Nigerian songster, songwriter and actress, Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, popularly known by her stage name, Simi.

According to a statement by sponsors of the show, Globacom, Simi will delight viewers with inspirational stories behind her adventure in the music world on the 30-minute magazine programme.

Simi was born on 19 April 1988 in Lagos as the last of four children. She started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2008, entitled “Ogaju”. She gained public recognition in 2014 after releasing “Tiff”, a song that was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015. Earlier in 2014, Simi signed a record deal with X3M Music, but left the label in May 2019 following the expiration of her contract.

She released her second studio album “Simisola” on September 8, 2017. Her third studio album “Omo Charlie Champagne”, Vol. 1 was released to coincide with her 31^st birthday on April 19, 2019, after which she launched her record label Studio Brat in June of the same year.

The graduate of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State was one of the top judges in Season 7 of the Nigerian idol TV show in 2022.

Simi who married a singer named Adekunle Gold in a private wedding ceremony on January 9, 2019 became a mother for the first time on the 30th of May 2020 when she gave birth to her daughter Adejare.

The 30-minute magazine programme will be aired on Saturday at 8.30 a.m. Repeats will be broadcast on Saturday at noon; Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. On Monday next week, another repeat will be shown at 4.00 a.m., Saturday at 8.30 a.m. and 12 noon and Sunday at 7.00 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.

Entertainment

‘We Finally Lost Him’, AGN Confirms Junior Pope’s Death

Published

2 weeks ago

April 11, 2024

Eric

The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has confirmed the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.

The actor and three of his colleagues were coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.

Rollas took to his instagram page on Thursday to disclose the sad development as he wrote, “It is so so sad that our joy was shortlived.

“My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail.

“God knows the best. We finally lost him,” he said.

Junior Pope joined the Nollywood industry in 2006, and started attending movie auditions and acting as a minor character in movies.

He usually played the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant, and servant in movies.

In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.

He acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include: “Secret Adventures”, “Mad sex”, “Bitter Generation”, “Vengeance of Bullet”, “The Cat”, “The Generals”, “Wrong Initiation” among others.

DailyPost

Entertainment

I’m No Longer Cut Out for Marriage, Having Kids – Iyabo Ojo

Published

2 weeks ago

April 11, 2024

Eric

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has said that she is no longer cut out for marriage or having kids, stressing that her now is only for enjoyment.

Iyabo Ojo, a divorcee, expressed her intention not to seek marriage with her current partner, music executive Paul Okoye, also known as Paulo, saying their realtionship is for companionship.

Taking to her Instagram page, the actress shared, “Marriage – done and dusted. Had kids – done and dusted. Raised my kids – done and dusted. Next stage: Enjoyment! Enjoyment! Enjoyment!”

She added that people should, however, do what makes them happy and works for them.

“This is me. Do you ….. do what makes you happy and what works for you,” she wrote.

Iyabo Ojo is a prominent Nigerian actress, filmmaker, and entrepreneur.

She has been active in the Nigerian film industry, often referred to as Nollywood, for many years.

Ojo has appeared in numerous movies and has gained recognition for her talent and versatility as an actress. Apart from her acting career, she has also ventured into film production.