Entertainment
Vybz Kartel’s murder conviction overturned after 10 years in prison
A London court on Thursday overturned Jamaican singer Vybz Kartel’s conviction for the murder of an associate.
The 48-year-old dancehall artiste has been in jail in Jamaica since the disappearance of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, whose body is yet to be found.
Kartel and three others were convicted in 2014 after a 64-day trial which was one of the longest in the history of the country.
The music star was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 35 years. The sentence was later reduced to 32-and-a-half years.
Last month, Kartel and his co-defendants appealed before the Privy Council, the highest court of appeal in Jamaica and some other commonwealth countries.
Their lawyers argued that the trial judge wrongly handled allegations and that one juror offered 500,000 Jamaican dollars – around $3,200 – to fellow jurors to return not guilty verdicts.
BBC reports that Kartel and his co-defendants identified as Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John successfully appealed on grounds of juror misconduct.
David Lloyd-Jones, the presiding judge, said the trial judge’s decision to allow the juror alleged to have offered bribes to continue on the jury was “fatal to the safety of the convictions”.
Lloyd-Jones added that it is “an infringement of the defendants’ fundamental right to a fair hearing”.
The court ruled that the allegations of bribery were serious enough to dismiss the guilty verdicts.
The Privy Council sent the case back to the court of appeal in Jamaica to decide whether the defendants should stand trial again.
Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, is one of Jamaica’s most popular artistes. He has collaborated with performers such as Jay-Z and Rihanna.
Entertainment
Chris Brown opens up on dating multiple ladies
Chris Brown, the American singer, has revealed that he is in a polygamous relationship.
Brown, in a YouTube live with Kai Cenat, the US content creator, addressed questions about his personal life.
When asked if he was in a relationship, the 35-year-old Virginia-born artiste replied, “I am in multiple”.
Cenat sought clarification, asking, “Like more than one girlfriend?” Brown responded, “Something like that”.
The award-winning singer also emphasized the importance of transparency and honesty in maintaining his polygamous relationships.
“Just keep it a hundred. Be honest,” he added.
This is not the first time Brown would be addressing polygamy.
In an interview with Hot 97, the singer opened up about the challenges of maintaining a monogamous relationship due to his celebrity status and constant exposure to women.
“The hardest part is trying to keep a monogamous relationship, but still wanting to be the 25-year-old sex symbol,” he said.
“You go to shows. You might walk by somebody’s room, and you might see about six or seven of them thangs. And you’re like, dang, I just want to slide in there and have a couple drinks real quick and I’ll tell my girl about it later.”
Born Christopher Maurice Brown, the songwriter is often referred to by his contemporaries as the “king of R&B”.
Entertainment
Bimpe Akintunde warns Nigerians against scammers impersonating her on WhatsApp
Bimpe Akintunde, the Nollywood actress, has raised an alarm over a fake WhatsApp account created in her name to scam unsuspecting individuals.
The film star took to her Instagram story to share screenshots of the impersonator, posing as her to solicit money from her followers.
Akintunde expressed her frustration and disappointment, cursing the scammer for attempting to profit from her hard work. She warned the public to be cautious of the impersonator on any media platform.
The actress urged her fans to help report the scammer’s WhatsApp and bank accounts.
She also prayed that God should keep such fraudulent individuals away from her and her loved ones.
“What a morning. Tell me how this country wants to be great, when a lot of people are struggling, working hard to build a name and brand, and boom, one person will take their pictures and name only to be defrauding people up and down,” she wrote.
“Who gave birth to such a child? Useless children, may God keep them away from us.
“Please disregard any message from anyone, either in your DM or WhatsApp, asking you to send money.
“Please, it not me. I do not own this above number. I would appreciate it if we could find a way to report both the WhatsApp and the Opay account.”
Entertainment
Davido advises black Americans not to relocate to Nigeria, says ‘the economy is in shambles’
Davido, the Afrobeats star, has advised black Americans against relocating to Nigeria, citing the country’s economic challenges.
In an appearance on The Big Homies House podcast, the singer shared his thoughts on the struggles bedeviling Nigeria, stating, “It is not cool back home. The economy is in shambles”.
Davido also mentioned Nigeria’s struggles with bad leadership, a high exchange rate, and skyrocketing oil prices, which are negatively impacting the country.
“It is not cool back home. The economy is in shambles. I do my part, I am an ambassador. When I go home and I am filming, I am no going to show the bad parts,” he said.
“I am talking about the situation in the country. Now the exchange rate is messed up, a lot of stuffs are not going well.
“The economy is just not good enough. The oil price is too high. Imagine the country that produces oil, paying more for it than a country importing oil.”
Despite the challenges, Davido emphasised the entertainment industry’s positive impact on Africa’s global image.
“Regardless, entertainment is one of the thing that has made Africa look good. We do not have the best leader, that is a fact,” he said.
-
Business6 days ago
Lagos state government to commence upgrade of major junctions in Ikeja axis, seeks residents’ cooperation
-
Politics1 week ago
DSS operatives arrest man with bags of cash during Ondo guber
-
Celebrities1 week ago
Daddy Freeze, Akah Nnani clash over Emmanuel Iren
-
News1 week ago
Nnamdi Emeh: Suspect Facing Charges In Court, Process Independent Of Police Influence
-
News1 week ago
Alice Loksha, abducted UNICEF nurse, escapes captivity after 6 years
-
Health1 week ago
Five ways to rid your home of ants
-
Special Features1 day ago
Iyabo Ojo, Brainjotter, Dayo Oketola, Penzaarville, Tomiwa and others to speak at the Bodex Social Media Hangout 5.0
-
Politics1 week ago
Aiyedatiwa takes commanding lead in Ondo guber poll after winning 15 of 18 LGAs