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Court admits FBI report claiming Mompha used iPhone for N6bn fraud

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An Ikeja special offences court has admitted more documents in evidence against Ismaila Mustapha, the socialite better known as Mompha.

At the court session on Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, presented two documents, including a letter by the commission to the United States of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and an investigative report by the bureau.

The investigative report claimed Mompha’s iPhone was used for fraudulent practices.

The prosecution witness, Ayotunde Solademi, an FBI representative, said the bureau’s forensic operations revealed that Mompha’s iPhone was used to send account details to a United Arab Emirates (UAE) telephone number, search for swift codes of a bank, and had a compromised Microsoft 365 account.

“The iPhone had a compromised Microsoft 365 account and attackers used a fraudulent domain to socially engineer communication to their [Mompha’s] company,” the FBI representative told the court.

The prosecution witness also told the court that the FBI discovered during analysis that Mompha’s iPhone was also used to change payment delivery from cheque to wire transfer.

“The iPhone was used to make three attempts to transfer funds. The first two failed, but the third was successful,” he said.

Under cross-examination, Kolawole Salami, counsel to Mompha, read from a paragraph of the documents which stated that the FBI documents are not to be used in a legal proceeding except after a separate communication has been made.

Responding, the witness said his presence in court to give evidence amounted to a separate communication from the FBI that allowed for the use of the documents in court.

The witness also admitted that he was not aware whether the FBI ever arrested the defendant.

He added that the FBI forensic analysis of Mompha’s iPhone was commissioned at the request of the EFCC.

Earlier, Mompha’s counsel had objected to the admissibility of the documents in evidence, arguing that they must first be certified by the United States Consulate.

“The documents are not certified true copies, and should not be admitted in court,” Salami had said.

However, the judge overruled the objection and upheld the arguments of the prosecution who maintained that the FBI documents were original.

“The documents do not require certification,” the judge ruled.

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Spotify names Burna Boy as the most exported Nigerian artist of 2024

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Spotify has released the data for the most streamed artists outside Nigeria in 2024.

On the list shared by Spotify, Grammy winner Burna Boy is the Nigerian artist with the most streams outside Nigeria. For the past couple of years, the hitmaker has been at the forefront of exporting Nigerian music globally.

Burna Boy’s feat is a testament to his global popularity which has made him the only African artist with 3 albums surpassing over 500 million streams.

Second on the list is Grammy-nominated star Ayra Starr who enjoyed a good year thanks to the release of her critically acclaimed sophomore album ‘The Year I Turned 21’ which enjoyed critical and commercial success.

The album features a star-studded lineup that includes Asake, Seyi Vibez, American singer Giveon and Coco Jones, and Brazilian star Aniita.

Rema is the third most exported Nigerian artist of 2024. His hit single ‘Calm Down’ continues to enjoy global success, especially in the United States where it became the first African song to garner 1 billion streams.

This year, Rema released his sophomore LP ‘HEIS’ which is one of the most talked about albums of 2024. The album buoyed by its upper tempo arrangement, pulsating production, and aggressive chest thumping delivered the bit records ‘Ozeba’, ‘Hehehe’, and ‘Azaman’.

Tems (4) and Omah Lay (5) rounds off the top 5. Grammy winner Tems enjoyed a successful year on the global front with the release of her debut album ‘Born In The Wild’ which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Global Album.

Top 10 exported Nigerian Artists on Spotify in 2024

1. Burna Boy
2. Ayra Starr
3. Rema
4. Tems
5. Omah Lay
6. Asake
7. Wizkid 
8. Davido
9. Fireboy
10. Victony

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I’m a hardworking businesswoman, more than just Wizkid’s baby mama, says Jada P

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American talent manager Jada Pollock, popularly known as Jada P, has asserted that she is far more than just singer Wizkid’s “babymama,” a title often used by the media.

Speaking in a recent interview with BET UK, Jada P lamented that her accomplishments as an entrepreneur and professional in the music industry have been largely overshadowed by her role as the mother of Wizkid’s children.

Jada P highlighted her career achievements, noting that she has managed international artists such as Chris Brown, Wizkid, and Skyla Tyla.

She described herself as a dedicated businesswoman and music manager actively contributing to the growth of the industry.

“When Wizkid won a Grammy, I wrote a statement about how far afrobeat has come. They put the statement out, and the caption was ‘Wizkid baby mama.’ The narrative is not seen as you’re an entrepreneur and hardworking businesswoman. I’m not only a mother but also a manager, who has actively contributed to building a legacy,” she said.

She further emphasised her role in managing top-tier artists, adding, “Some of the artists I have managed are Chris Brown, Wizkid & Skyla Tyla, etc.”

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Stop seeking human validation, Eucharia Anunobi advises fans

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Eucharia Anunobi, the ace Nigerian actress, has advised her fans to stop seeking validation from people.

In an Instagram post on Friday, the actress urged her followers to embrace self-worth and resist the pressure of wanting to be liked by everyone.

She cautioned that the constant need for approval often leads to “emotional and spiritual imbalance”.

“Seeking to be liked by all is a sign that you are emotionally and spiritually imbalanced. Some people will hate you because to hate is what gives them joy because they are genetically wicked. So get used to not being liked. 1 John 5:19,” she wrote.

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