Entertainment
Appeal court affirms Baba Ijesha’s sexual assault conviction
The court of appeal in Lagos has affirmed the ruling of the state high court, sentencing Olanrewaju ‘Baba Ijesha‘ James, the Nollywood actor, to five years in prison for sexual assault.
Baba Ijesha was arraigned on June 24, 2021, on a six-count charge of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration.
On July 14, 2022, a Lagos high court sentenced the actor to 16 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor.
His 16-year jail term is expected to run concurrently.
This means that the movie actor will spend five years behind bars.
Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the presiding judge, convicted and sentenced the actor after he was found guilty of four counts out of six.
In April 2024, Baba Ijesha challenged his jail term through Kayode Olabiran, his legal counsel.
Olabiran told the appeal court that his client was set up and was merely “acting according to a script” provided by a colleague.
He also claimed that the actor gave his confessional statement “under duress”.
The counsel argued that Baba Ijesha’s conviction was “done in error” and urged the court to set it aside.
But on Thursday, Folashade Ojo, the appeal court judge, affirmed the conviction of Baba Ijesha on two counts bordering on “indecent touching and sexual assault of a 14-year-old minor”.
Abdullahi Bayero and Paul Bassi, the other judges at the court, aligned with Ojo’s ruling.
Ojo, however, dismissed the conviction of Baba Ijesha for “indecent treatment and sexual assault”.
The judge stated that the testimony of Damilola Adekoya, the first prosecution’s witness, was “unreliable”.
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.
-
Politics1 week ago
Okpebholo fires permanent secretaries, dissolves boards
-
Business5 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
-
News7 days 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
-
Politics6 days ago
Aiyedatiwa takes commanding lead in Ondo guber poll after winning 15 of 18 LGAs