Crime
Jonathan Majors faces new abuse claims from two women
Jonathan Majors, the US actor, is facing fresh abuse allegations from two more women.
According to The New York Times, Emma Duncan, who was engaged to Majors from 2015 to 2019, accused him of choking her, throwing her around, and leaving bruises on her body.
Maura Hooper, another ex-lover, claimed Majors also emotionally abused her.
She alleged that he was controlling and refused to let her “speak to anyone about their relationship, isolating her from a support system”.
She also claimed that he even pressured her into having an abortion.
However, in response to the allegations, Priya Chaudhry, Majors’ lawyer, denied the abuse claims from both women.
The lawyer described the relationships with both women as “toxic” and said Majors was taking responsibility for his role in them.
Chaudhry added that “countless” women in the entertainment industry “can attest to his professionalism”.
In December 2023, Majors was found guilty of assaulting Grace Jabbari, his then-girlfriend, following a trial in New York.
The 34-year-old film star was convicted by a jury of six on one count of assault and one count of harassment.
He is currently awaiting sentencing.
Majors rose to prominence in 2019 after starring in the film ‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco’.
In 2020, the movie star featured alongside the late Chadwick Boseman in ‘Da 5 Bloods’, a Netflix original.
Majors also acted in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ and alongside Michael B. Jordan in ‘Creed III’.
Crime
YouTuber Johnny Somali faces 10-yr prison sentence for kissing statue in South Korea
American YouTuber Johnny Somali has faced widespread criticism after a controversial video showed him kissing and posing with a statue dedicated to Korean women who were victims of sexual slavery during Japan’s occupation of Korea.
Somali’s actions, captured during his visit to the Changdong History and Culture Park in Seoul, have ignited anger among Koreans and beyond.
In a video posted on October 9, the YouTuber was seen kissing the Statue of Peace in Itaewon, central Seoul, and performing a dance in front of the memorial.
The statue honors tens of thousands of young Korean women who were subjected to forced sexual slavery by the Japanese military from 1910 to 1945.
According to The Korea Times, Somali expressed remorse for his actions in a video released by YouTube channel Jcompany on Thursday.
Standing beside the statue, he bowed and offered an apology to the Korean people: “I want to apologize to Koreans. I didn’t understand the significance of the statue.”
Johnny Somali admitted that he had intended the stunt as entertainment for his American audience but now recognized his actions as disrespectful.
He concluded his apology in Korean, adding, “I’m truly sorry.”
The incident has spurred ongoing criticism, with many Koreans and others voicing their disapproval over what they see as a profound lack of cultural sensitivity and respect.
Crime
Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar remanded in prison
The former Director-General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been remanded in Malabo’s Black Beach Prison, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.
The embattled former anti-graft chief was arrested days ago for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.
This scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, resulting in an impromptu search of his home and office by ANIF officials, who reportedly discovered several CDs that revealed his sexual encounters with different married women.
As the footage leaked online, causing a media uproar, Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, dismissed Engonga.
According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated 4th November, the dismissal was due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties.”
According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated 4th November, the dismissal was due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties.”
A viral video surfaced on social media on Friday, showing Engonga handcuffed on both hands and legs during a court appearance.
Confirming the situation, French online blog Afrikmatin reported that Engonga, who was officially removed from his role on November 6, 2024, was subsequently chained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison. He faces charges of corruption and embezzlement.
Additionally, online newspaper UGStandard reported that the sex tapes began circulating on social networks while Engonga was already held at Malabo’s notorious Black Beach Prison on charges of embezzling public funds, as reported by state television, TVGE.
In a fact-checking report published Wednesday, Dubawa verified that Engonga had indeed been taken into custody on corruption charges and is currently being held in Black Beach Prison.
Crime
Anambra LGA chairman arrested in Texas over $3.3m romance scam
Franklin Nwadialo, a newly elected chairman of Ogbaru LGA in Anambra state, has been arrested in Texas, United States (US), for allegedly running a $3.3 million romance scam.
The US department of justice said in a statement that Nwadialo is facing a 14-count charge and risks a 20-year sentence if found guilty.
The federal bureau of investigation (FBI) reportedly arrested the 40-year-old LGA chairman on arrival in Texas.
He would be transferred to the Western District of Washington for arraignment.
“According to the indictment, Nwadialo used various versions of the name ‘Giovanni’ when he met his victims online on websites such as Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café,” the statement reads.
“Nwadialo used false images for his profile and typically told the victims that he was in the military and deployed overseas so he could not meet the victims in person.
“Using these personas, Nwadialo invented many reasons he needed the victims to send him money.
“In one such case in 2020, he indicated he had been fined by the military for revealing his location to the victim. He asked the victim to help him pay the $150,000 fine. In all, that victim was defrauded of at least $2.4 million.”
The US department of justice cited another instance where the accused contacted a second victim in 2019 to help move funds from US accounts to accounts controlled by him and his co-schemers.
“In this instance, Nwadialo represented that he needed the help moving money in connection with his father’s death. The victim transferred at least $330,000 to the accounts controlled by the defendant,” the department stated.
“A third victim was defrauded by Nwadialo when he told her that he was investing money for her.
“He claimed that a check she received from another victim was proceeds from her investments, and he had her “reinvest” the money in a specific cryptocurrency account that he controlled. The victim transferred at least $270,000 at Nwadialo’s direction.
“Finally, in August 2020, Nwadialo defrauded another victim who he met on an online dating site and caused this victim to transfer at least $310,000 by claiming he needed financial assistance, including help paying for his father’s funeral or his son’s school tuition.
“The 14 counts of wire fraud relate to the communications with Nwadialo and the wiring of funds from victims to the defendant and his co-schemers.”
The case is being prosecuted by Sok Jiang, an assistant United States attorney.
-
Health1 week ago
NAFDAC warns Nigerians against purchase of unregistered condom brand
-
Entertainment1 week ago
I now need police escort when I drive – Tems speaks on adjusting to fame
-
Celebrities3 days ago
AY Makun, Basketmouth discuss their 17-year feud
-
News1 week ago
Communique of the Gateway Movement
-
Education2 days ago
Keystone Bank Renovates Schools In Zamfara, Says Governor Lawal’s Feats In 17 Months Surpass Over 20 Years Of Previous Administrations
-
World1 week ago
Badenoch wins Tory poll to become first black leader of major UK party
-
Health1 week ago
Eating too much meat could cause heart failure in older women
-
Special Features2 days ago
Bodex Media Announces Frank Edoho as Host for Bodex Social Media Hangout (BSMH) 5th Edition