Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and her mother were involved in a “near catastrophic” car chase after being followed by paparazzi, according to his spokesperson.
The incident happened after Meghan and Harry had attended an awards ceremony in New York on Tuesday.
“This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD (New York Police Department) officers,” the spokesperson added.
The Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, and first black President of the World Methodist Council (WMC), Dr. Sunday Coffie Mbang,has died.
He was 86.
The first President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of Methodist Church extraction, according to family sources, died Tuesday night in his sleep after a brief illness.
“The late Prelate Emeritus, has not been out for any public function of late, but preferred to receive some important visitors including his best friend, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was one of his few close associates that visited him two weeks ago for prayers and blessings,” a family member, who preferred anonymity said.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has unveiled his latest wife, Opeoluwa Elizabeth Akinmuda.
The king reportedly took his sixth wife sometime in May and is set to officially welcome her into his Royal Palace of Oodua in Ile-Ife.
Invitations for the Thanksgiving service and reception of the new queen have all reportedly been sent out. Top dignitaries are expected to attend this grand event. The event is scheduled to hold on Saturday 20th May 2023.
The event will be preceded by the traditional entry of the Queen into the ancient Ife Oodua Palace of Ile-Ife this Thursday.
The couple reportedly tied the knot on May 10th, 2023.
Recall Oba Enitan Adeyeye, is already married to five other women namely; Olori Mariam, Olori Tobi Phillips Ogunwusi, Princess Ashley Adegoke, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi and Temitope Adesegun.
Following Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci’s success at breaking a world cooking record, the Guinness Book of Records has acknowledged her laudable effort.
The acknowledgement was made in response to an inquiry by one Alexander, in the early hours of Monday, May 15, 2023, seeking to know why Baci’s success was yet to be acknowledged by the Guinness World Records.
Alexander wrote; “Why is Guinness World Records not showing or talking about Hilda’s cook-a-thon? Can’t see anything on their pages (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube).
In response to the inquiry, the Guinness Book of Records wrote on their official Twitter handle; “We’re aware of this amazing record attempt, we need to review all the evidence first before officially confirming a record.”
However, the current record for the world’s longest cooking marathon is held by Lata Tondon, who completed the task in 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds in Rewa, India, in 2019.
The PUNCH has exclusively gathered that following the incident that led to the arrest and detention of Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti on Monday, the suspect had apologised and given the sum of ₦12,000 to the assaulted officer to repair his damaged vehicle on Saturday.
Impeccable sources privy to the incident confirmed the development to our correspondent on Monday, adding that the officer had trailed Seun Kuti to his Akin Osiyemi residence off Allen Avenue, Ikeja after the musician bashed his vehicle on the Third Mainland bridge.
A source said, “Seun Kuti was the one that bashed the officer’s vehicle, and the policeman followed him to call his attention to it, but the musician alighted from his car and slapped the policeman as seen in the trending video. However, the officer reported the incident at the Police Command in Ikeja.”
“The policeman was alone. After the altercation, he followed Seun Kuti to his home in Ikeja, and the musician apologised to the policeman and gave him ₦12,000 to repair his damaged vehicle.
“But the officer reported the incident at the Area F Police Command in Ikeja, and deposited the ₦12,000 at the counter while he gave a written statement concerning the incident,” another source said.
The PUNCH reports that Seun Kuti is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department, popularly known as Panti, in Yaba, Lagos State, following a visit to the FCID over the alleged assault.
The musician was accompanied by a lawyer representing Falana and Falana Chambers, the law firm of popular human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN.
Our correspondent exclusively obtained a video clip and pictures showing the musician in handcuffs while being paraded by police officers at the SCID, Lagos.
Responding to an inquiry concerning Ṣeun’s apology and monetary tip, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said Seun Kuti had on Saturday apologised to the assaulted policeman and given him the sum of ₦12,000 for vehicle repair.
Hundeyin said, “Although the investigation is still ongoing, but your correspondence is correct. Seun Kuti apologized to the officer on Saturday, and gave him ₦12,000 to repair his damaged vehicle, after the officer followed him to his house in Ikeja after the altercation.
“Fortunately, the policeman had earlier reported the incident at the Area F Police Command, and deposited the ₦12,000 with the Command, before the video of the assault went viral on social media.”
The PUNCH reported that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba had earlier ordered the arrest of the musician.
The IG equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the alleged assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
This was as the musician alleged attempted murder of himself and his family by the police officer in question, in a social media post obtained by our correspondent on Saturday night.
However, following the IG’s order for his arrest, Mr. Kuti in another Instagram post, said, “I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation! I also pray to the IG that whoever is wrong should be indicted.”
This was as the Police Service Commission demands the immediate prosecution of the musician, adding that no one has the right to assault a policeman in uniform and on official duty, no matter the offence committed by the police officer.
Following the development, Falana, SAN, said the musician had sought his legal services, adding that Seun Kuti has evidence to defend his action.
Falana said, “I am his lawyer and he has briefed me. He certainly has evidence. This is not the first time he is dealing with the police.
“He (Seun) is going to report himself to the police tomorrow morning. There is no problem at all.”
Musician risks three years imprisonment
According to section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, if found guilty of assault against the yet-to-be-named police officer, Ṣeun Kuti is liable to spend three years in prison.
The Act reads,“ Anyone who assaults, resists, or willfully obstructs a police officer while acting in the execution of his duty, or any person acting in aid of a police officer while so acting is guilty of felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.”
The PUNCH reports that Kuti in a 12-second video clip which went viral on Saturday showed Kuti, who wore a red shirt and white pair of trousers, pushing a policeman, who stood beside a Toyota Hilux police van. He then proceeded to slap the cop, as he shouted, “You dey craze, you dey mad?”
A motorist, who filmed the incident from his car, was heard saying, “Omo na Kuti o. Na better news be this o.”
PSC demands musician’s prosecution
The Police Service Commission has demanded the immediate prosecution of Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, over alleged assault on a police officer on the Third Mainland bridge in Lagos State on Saturday.
The PSC Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector-General of Police, said Seun’s arraignment would serve as a deterrent to other citizens, adding that no one has the right to assault a policeman in uniform and on official duty, no matter the offence committed by a police officer.
Following the disturbing news on the death of popular Nollywood actors, Saint Obi and Murphy Afolabi, another actor, Chikezie Uwazie is dead.
The actor, reportedly died in the United States of America few days ago after a second brain surgery.
One of the leading stars of the early 2000s, Chikezie Uwazie left Nigeria for the United States over seven years ago.
Before he relocated, he featured in several Nollywood flicks including the movie, “Musical Whispers”, a film on Autism, produced by Ebele Okaro and directed by Bond Emeruwa. He was also in, “Village Destroyer” alongside Osita Iheme, Ugo Ugbor, and “Last Kiss”, where he acted alongside Emeka Ike, Ini Edo, Ejike Asiegbu and Mercy Johnson Okojie, among several other movies.
His colleague, Obey Etok Chima posted the news of his passage on her Facebook on Sunday. She wrote, “I can’t imagine am posting this. Chikezie Uwazie goneeeee. After a 2nd brain surgery. Gini na emezi. Am so shocked to get this news this evening. Just got this from our IMSU alumni platform. I thought you told me you were going to the states for greener pastures. You promised to come back some years back but I didn’t see you. Can’t believe you are gone but God knows best. Rest on Chyko”.
Uwazie’s death is the third in Nollywood within the last three days after St. Obi and Murphy Afolabi.
Nigerian afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti has been arrested for assaulting a police officer, IGBERETV reports.
Lagos Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin shared photos of Seun in handcuffs with the caption;
“SERIOUS ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICER: SEUN KUTI TURNS SELF IN
Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, in the early hours of today turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, in company of his lawyer and family representative. He has been placed under arrest in line with the law. The Command appreciates the public for their concern and assures that the ongoing investigation will be detailed, transparent, professionally pursued; and justice will be manifestly served for all parties involved.”
Popular Nollywood actor, James Olanrewaju Omiyinka better known as Baba Ijesha, has lost his father, James Akin Omiyinka at the age of 95.
This was announced on Saturday, in an Instagram post by actor Yomi Fabiyi.
Fabiyi prayed that the spirit of the deceased will not leave his son Baba Ijesha stressing that he lived a good life.
Also, praying for those behind the misfortune of Baba Ijesha, Yomi said: “Accept my condolences BABA IJESHA on the death of your father. May the spirit of your father never depart you, he will fight for you someday. Baba lived a good life.
“I pray for the souls of all those who AMBUSHED YOU INTO THIS MISFORTUNE, and used your profession to lure you into acting with an opposite sex they invariably gave a “football age” so you can be sent to prison.
“We will continue to pray with you and hope that the integrity of the judiciary will be restored in this matter someday. Take heart senior man.”
DAILY POST recalls that an Ikeja Special Offences Court had in July 2022 sentenced Baba Ijesha to 16 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old minor.
Theatre Art and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Osun State chapter, has expressed shock at the demise of a Nollywood actor, Maroof Afolabi, popularly known as Murphy.
Reacting to the death of the Osogbo-born actor, Osun TAMPAN secretary, Adedayo Adeyemi, said members of the group initially doubted the news of the late Afolabi’s death.
According to him, a decision on the burial would be announced by the deceased family, noting TAMPAN members have been directed to assemble in Osogbo on Monday for further briefing.
Adeyemi said, “he was one of our biggest Nollywood stars from Osun here. His death hit us hard. It shocked all of us, his kinsmen from Osun, his state of origin.
Members of TAMPAN from Osun did not believe the news. We initially doubted it, until it was confirmed by Murphy’s younger brother living with him in Lagos.”
Meanwhile, residents of Fetuata’s Compound, Osogbo, where the late Afolabi hailed from were observed discussing his sudden death during a visit on Sunday.
Residents who were mainly youth could be heard discussing Afolabi’s death in hush tones, as some of the members of the thespian’s immediate family were said not to have heard about the occurrence, as of the time our correspondent visited the compound.
Those that were approached for comment among them also refused to openly comment on the development.
Copied: Punch
There is palpable anxiety in the movie industry over the current state of a veteran actor, Saint Obi.
A report by a blogger, EmDee David, had claimed that the actor passed away in Jos, Plateau State, some days ago, but there has been no confirmation or denial of that from his family, colleagues and other sources.
Responding to a post about Obi’s alleged death, a Twitter user, @Mazi_Duce, who claimed to be the actor’s relative, stated that he was not dead. Messages sent to by Sunday Scoop had not been responded to as of the time of filing this report.
The story by David read in part, “He was said to have passed on after some months of going back and forth to the hospital, treating an undisclosed ailment. Till now, no official announcement has been made.
Our correspondent, who visited no 13 Metropolitan Street in Tudun Wada, Jos, where the sister lives, gathered from residents around the area that ‘someone’ in that compound had died, but they were not sure of the identity of the deceased. However, a resident in the area who appealed for anonymity claimed that the actor, who he had seen a couple of times, died on Sunday (May 7, 2023) and that the following day, his body was taken to the morgue at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.”
Efforts by Sunday Scoop to find out the true picture from the actor’s colleagues met with a brick wall. All the people contacted claimed not to be aware of the development, and said only the actor’s family could make a categorical statement on the issue.
Calls put through to the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas; and the guild’s public relations officer, Kate Henshaw, were unanswered as of the time of filing this report.
Born on November 16, 1965, the actor started his career in 1996 and has appeared in several movies and TV series, including ‘Sakobi’, ‘Candle Light’, ‘Heart of Gold’, ‘Festival of Fire’ and ‘Last Fire’.
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