Entertainment
Shakira settles Spain tax fraud suit with $8 million fine
Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, an international pop star professionally known as Shakira, has reached a deal with Spanish authorities in her tax fraud case.
The deal was announced hours before the singer’s trial for tax evasion was meant to commence on Monday.
In the suit, it was alleged that Shakira owed over 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) on income earned between 2012 and 2014. While she listed the Bahamas as her primary residence during this period, prosecutors claimed she had spent the majority of her time in Spain.
The singer might have been sentenced to more than eight years in prison and fines totalling €24.5 million if she had been found guilty in the trial.
With the deal, Shakira is now required to pay a €7.3 million ($8 million) fine with a suspended three-year sentence.
Shakira has constantly defended her innocence ever since the lawsuit became public. In July 2022, prosecutors offered a deal that the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer rejected after she insisted on proving her innocence in the trial.
However, the singer said in a statement to Variety magazine on Monday that while she was confident of victory in the case, she decided to settle in the best interest of her children.
Her statement read in part. “Throughout my career, I have always strived to do what’s right and set a positive example for others. That often means taking the extra step in business and personal financial decisions to procure the absolute best counsel, including seeking the advice of the world’s preeminent tax authorities such as PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, who advised me from the start, and subsequently Ernst & Young Global Limited.
“Unfortunately, and despite these efforts, tax authorities in Spain pursued a case against me as they have against many professional athletes and other high-profile individuals, draining those people’s energy, time, and tranquillity for years at a time.”
“While I was determined to defend my innocence in a trial that my lawyers were confident would have ruled in my favour, I have decided to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her well-being in this fight.”
Shakira also said she needed to move past “the stress and emotional toll of the last several years” to focus on her kids and career.
Shakira went through a messy breakup with her long-time partner, Gerard Piqué in June 2022. Their split eventually led her to move from Spain to Miami in April 2023 with her two sons, Milan and Sasha.
Entertainment
Jackson 5 legend, Tito Jackson, dies at 70
Tito Jackson, an original member of the iconic Jackson 5 and brother of the late Michael Jackson, has died at 70.
Known for his timeless hits like ABC and I Want You Back, Tito’s death was confirmed by his sons in a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday.
An official cause of death is yet to be revealed.
The Jackson family mourns the loss of another music legend.
Tito performed in the iconic ensemble with brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, who died in 2009.
Steve Manning, a long-time Jackson family friend and former Jackson family manager, told Entertainment Tonight that Jackson died on Monday.
The news was confirmed in an Instagram post by his three sons, Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson, who were themselves an R’n’B/pop trio, 3T, in the 1990s.
“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” they wrote. “Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.”
They continued, “He will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time” for us.
“Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another’. We love you Pops.”
The Jackson 5’s hits included ABC, The Love You Save and I Want You Back.
Entertainment
Court bars event in memory of Mohbad
A High Court in Ogun State has imposed an interim injunction prohibiting a planned event in memory of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad.
The legal team of the deceased family disclosed this in a statement signed by its representative, Monisola Odumosu, and exclusively obtained by PUNCH Metro, on Sunday.
Odumosu noted that the court’s decision, handed down by Justice O. Osunfisan, on Thursday, was in response to a motion filed by the late Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, represented by Emmanuel Oroko.
According to the statement, the injunction specifically targeted plans to host the ‘Sing for Mohbad and Win’ event, scheduled for September 12-14, 2024 in the state or any other location.
“In the motion with suit number HCT/871/2024 Justice Osunfisan ordered as follows ‘ An order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the respondent whether by himself servants, agents,assigns or otherwise however called from holding any event titled ‘Sing for Mohbad and Win’ organised by the respondent which is set to be held on September 12, 13, and 14, 2024, at the Aqua Lounge or any other place pending the determination of the originating motion for interlocutory injunction dated and filed on September 6, 2024. The order of interim injunction hereby granted today, the 12 day of September 2024, is to last for seven days following the provision of the Rules of Court,” the statement read in part.
The Aloba family, who initiated the legal action, had previously appealed to the public to respect their moment of grief and refrain from commercialising the occasion by exploiting the goodwill of their late son.
Odumosu however stated that the matter was set to return to court on October 7, 2024, for the hearing of the originating motion for interlocutory injunction.
Entertainment
Mercy Johnson under fire for campaigning for APC’s Okpebholo
Mercy Johnson-Okojie, the Nollywood actress, has been criticised on social media for campaigning for Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming Edo election.
A now-viral video shows Mercy soliciting votes for Okpebholo at a rally. She also assured the crowd that the APC gubernatorial candidate will “bring positive changes” to the state.
“Are you not tired? No light, water, healthcare, security and good roads. If you will vote for senator Monday, raise your hand,” she said.
“…So when you get to that field early in the morning, vote for Monday, vote for APC, vote for the broom.”
Mercy Johnson rallying support for the APC, urging the crowd in Ward 6, Irruekpen, Esan West LGA, to vote for the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. pic.twitter.com/7ZY7RKXJZ9
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) September 13, 2024
The video has triggered backlash on social media with critics slamming the actress for supporting the ruling party despite widespread economic hardship.
“Mercy Johnson is just a cheap opportunistic agbero with zero class and zero morality in my opinion. Imagine supporting blabbing Tinubu and now also supporting Illiterate Monday Okpebholo of all people. Talent is really not enough,” an X user wrote.
Mercy Johnson is just a cheap opportunistic agbero with zero class and zero morality in my opinion.
— Amber Ose Ibeh™ (@masurge7) September 13, 2024
Imagine supporting blabbing Tinubu and now also supporting Illiterate Monday Okpebholo of all people.
Talent is really not enough.
Mercy Johnson no try, how can she be campaigning for APC, it's her right una go talk, right to make foolish and greedy decision…
— Bush Doctor 🌿 (@f0944366) September 13, 2024
Mercy Johnson that was counting a crate of eggs lamenting,
— BENNY FEBIAN IYKE (ABIA STATE FIRST SON ✍️) (@IkechiBene65006) September 13, 2024
How costly it had become under the same Administration of APC that she played Women's wing for and supported.
She out there in Edo State supporting a ma that has refused to appear on TV to discuss what he has for Edos.
Mercy Johnson dull sha…
— EPIPHANY THE FIRST ✝️ (@Kittyprincezam2) September 13, 2024
Talent is not enough tbh, how can any reasonable person stand in for Apc And for Monday to be governor of Edo state, an illiterate.
Mercy Johnson no learn from Toyin Abraham abi.
— GBEMISOLA CFC💙 (@QUEENOFDBLUES1) September 13, 2024
Later when den ask her for Senator Monday Okpebholo promises, she go begin shout dem dey bull¥ me upandan SM, dey make crying videos, dey threaten people with police.
Make nobody cry and gaslight anybody for here later sha. https://t.co/7EsTJ4DSmX
That video by Mercy Johnson will make you understand that, politicians no really send us.
— Just Eniola 💜 (@JustEniola01) September 13, 2024
As long as they and their family are not experiencing any form of hàrdship, they will keep pushing the agenda that they are the best candidate we can ever have.
Shey b na two cups of rice… pic.twitter.com/QZOkXzE4Nj
If you all like follow mercy Johnson campaign oo. You all should know that she has cashed out. She only working for the money. Don't be foolish to follow her. If Nigeria spoil e no affect her oo. pic.twitter.com/e45sYlyUJ6
— Linzkits…(inspired world domain) (@Linzkits_FC) September 13, 2024
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Like Tems, Ayra Starr says she has ‘never fallen in love’
-
Entertainment6 days ago
Davido, Lojay, Tyla make Billboard’s ‘Honour Roll’ for chart-topping songs
-
Education2 days ago
Lagos state government increases boarding fees from N35,000 to N100,000 per term
-
Crime1 week ago
Two traffic robbers disguised as keke riders arrested in Lagos
-
News6 days ago
Change of name, age declaration… federal high court begins online affidavit process
-
Politics1 week ago
Presidential ticket of LP no longer reserved for Obi, says Abure faction
-
Politics1 week ago
JUST IN: Ajuri Ngelale steps down as Tinubu’s spokesman
-
Sports1 week ago
Paris Paralympics: Onyinyechi Mark wins Nigeria’s first gold, sets world record