Entertainment
D’banj breaks silence on arrest by ICPC over ‘N-Power fraud’
D’banj, the singer, has denied any complicity in the fraud allegations against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
On Tuesday, the singer was detained by the ICPC — a few weeks after he was summoned by the commission.
The ICPC confirmed he is under investigation for allegedly diverting funds released for the federal government’s N-Power project.
In 2016, FG initiated the N-Power project to address the country’s unemployment challenges.
It was said that the stipends meant for beneficiaries of the initiative were paid to accounts linked to D’banj.
In a statement on Wednesday, Maryam El-Yakub Musa, a legal representative of the singer, denied that D’banj had any connection to the fraud or its orchestrators.
“We acknowledge the fact that the ICPC is currently investigating allegations of diversion of N-POWER funds as already stated by the commission,” the statement reads.
“We continue to hold the expectation that the Commission will stay the course of professionalism in this matter.
“For the record, D’banj has no such contractual or incidental relationship whatsoever with any group or persons within or outside government in relation to the disbursement, operations, access, or control of the operation of any government fund through an agency or its subsidiaries.
“Emphatically and as a matter of policy, Dbanj and his management do not engage in business dealings unless they are legitimate, properly documented, and obtainable in law.”
On the allegation that D’banj failed to honour ICPC’s invitations, the lawyer said the singer was out of the country.
“He sent in letters through his attorneys to the commission in respect of his schedule in South Africa and promised to visit the Commission when he returned,” the lawyer added.
“On Monday the 5th of December, 2022, D’banj freely and of his law-abiding accord went to the Commission at about 2 pm immediately after he arrived in Abuja.
“D’banj has encouraged the commission to carry out its investigation thoroughly to ensure that characters attempting to bring him into such ridiculous activities must be brought to book.
“It is inconceivable that D’banj whose very career is a reference point for hard work, diligence and honesty would lend his reputation built steadfastly over the years to acts of such accusations.”
Entertainment
Rapper NBA YoungBoy pleads guilty in drug fraud case
NBA YoungBoy, the US rapper, has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a prescription drug fraud scheme.
The Louisiana rapper appeared in a courtroom in Logan, Utah on Monday, where he admitted to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct.
YoungBoy, who is still serving 27 months on federal charges, also entered a “no contest” plea for 36 additional charges. He initially faced 46 state charges.
The plea deal reduced the felony charges to Class A misdemeanors.
Spencer Walsh, the judge, suspended a prison sentence, instead imposing a $25,000 fine.
The judge acknowledged YoungBoy’s prior agreement to serve over two years in prison and five years of probation for a related federal case resolved in September.
Authorities revealed that YoungBoy orchestrated the scheme from his home in Huntsville, Utah, where he posed as a doctor, using stolen identities to call in fraudulent prescriptions.
His associates allegedly collected the drugs from area pharmacies.
During sentencing, Walsh offered words of encouragement for the 25-year-old artiste.
“I’m sure that in your future, once you’re done with your federal prison time, you can be really successful on federal probation and have a really bright future where you can reach your full potential in every aspect of your life,” he said.
YoungBoy, known for his 2018 debut studio album ‘Until Death Call My Name’ and projects like ‘AI YoungBoy 2’ (2019) and ‘Sincerely, Kentrell’ (2021), is also facing an unresolved federal gun case in Louisiana.
The rapper, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, recently announced plans to release his new album, ‘I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders’, on December 6.
Entertainment
Nancy Umeh welcomes third child via surrogacy after secondary infertility battle
Nancy Umeh, the Nigerian chef and public health scientist, and her husband have welcomed their third child via surrogacy.
Surrogacy is when a woman carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual. This is done by fertilizing eggs from the surrogate or an egg donor with sperm from a donor to create an embryo.
In an Instagram post, Umeh shared a video capturing the process of childbirth. She said she opted for surrogacy because she battled “secondary infertility” for seven years after the birth of her last child.
Secondary infertility is the inability to conceive or carry a baby after previously giving birth without any assistance or trouble.
Umeh expressed her excitement while appreciating her surrogacy agency for the support. She also thanked the surrogate who she described as “an angel”.
“Our princess is here. Talia Tobechukwu Umeh,” she wrote.
“Too stunned to speak right now. I can’t believe we are parents again. Our last son is 8 years old and we have tried for 7 whole years.
“An angel carried our child for us. An angel sent from God through Meet Surrogate Mothers. I can’t believe we are holding our child.”
In an accompanying caption, she wrote: “Somebody pinch me. 7 years later. God bless you indeed Meet surrogate mothers. #parents again #secondary surrogate”.
The chef tied the knot with her husband in 2015. They now have three children.
Umeh is the older sister of popular Nigerian dancer Korra Obidi.
Entertainment
‘It hurts’ — Don Jazzy laments not having partner
Michael Ajereh, the Nigerian music executive better known as Don Jazzy, has lamented his relationship status.
In an Instagram post on Monday, the founder of Mavin Records expressed his desire to participate in a trend ‘suspect challenge’.
The ‘suspect challenge’ is a new social media trend in which couples take turns to playfully tease each other.
The 41-year-old entrepreneur said he would like to join the trend but has no partner.
“Suspect wants to do suspect challenge but no suspect partner,” he wrote. In the accompanying caption, the music executive lamented that “it hurts”.
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