Entertainment
PMAN suspends Pretty Okafor over financial misconduct, appoints Sunny Neji in acting capacity
The national working committee (NWC) of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has announced the indefinite suspension of Pretty Okafor, its president, over alleged financial misconduct among other offences.
In a statement on Friday, the association said the suspension follows a comprehensive investigation into allegations against Okafor, which were “found to be in gross violation of the PMAN Constitution and financial regulations”.
According to NWC, Okafor’s alleged offences include “taking non-members for an international trip; financial misconduct related to a withdrawal of N7,000,000 and $40,000 belonging to the association into his personal account” among others.
The statement added that in the interim, Sunny Neji, who has served as the first vice president, will assume the role of acting president in line with the PMAN constitution.
“This suspension follows a comprehensive investigation into Mr. Okafor’s actions, which were found to be in gross violation of the PMAN Constitution and financial regulations,” the statement reads in part.
“Mr. Okafor admitted to unconstitutionally involving non-members of the NWC in an international trip, which was intended exclusively for 32 members of PMAN, including the executive committee.
“He facilitated the issuance of counterfeit PMAN ID cards and false cover letters, misrepresenting these individuals as PMAN members and executives, thereby enabling their attendance at the ROTOTOM Reggae Sunsplash in Benicàssim, Spain.
“Without the required unanimous approval of the NWC, Mr. Okafor withdrew #7,000,000 (Seven million naira) from the PMAN biometric registration account and transferred funds from PMAN’s bank account into his personal account on several occasions.
“A specific threshold must be reached before Zenith Bank would print the ID cards for registered members after the lift of the court ban on the PMAN bank account. However, Mr. Okafor’s unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the same account shortly after the lift of the court order has further slowed the process down.
“Additionally, he directed a PMAN property developer to deposit $40,000 (Forty thousand dollars) into his personal domiciliary account without proper authorization from the NWC.
“Mr. Okafor has consistently refused to convene NWC meetings over the past year, despite numerous requests from members. Even after the Registrar of Trade Unions intervened to facilitate these meetings, Mr. Okafor failed to cooperate.
“In accordance with Article 12, Paragraph K of the PMAN Constitution, Mr. Okafor’s suspension will remain in force pending further disciplinary proceedings as outlined in the constitution.”
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.
Entertainment
US actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction for staged attack overturned
American actor, Jussie Smollett’s conviction for fabricating a racist and homophobic hate crime in Chicago in 2019 was overturned Thursday on due process grounds.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Smollett, 42, should not have been charged again by prosecutors after a prior agreement saw over a dozen original charges dismissed.
It is the latest twist in Smollett’s legal saga, which began with his initial claim in January 2019 that he had been attacked on a Chicago street.
The gay African-American actor, then a cast member of the hit TV series “Empire,” said two masked men assaulted him late at night, shouting slurs and placing a noose around his neck.
Smollett staged the attack after receiving a legitimate piece of hate mail which he felt was not taken seriously by his employers, prosecutors said.
But those charges were suddenly dropped in March 2019, under an arrangement in which Smollett forfeited his $10,000 bond and agreed to do community service.
The dismissal was met with anger by some city officials, including then-mayor Rahm Emanuel, who argued $10,000 was only a fraction of the actual investigation costs.
A special prosecutor eventually took over the case and several charges were reinstated.
Smollett, who has always maintained his innocence, was found guilty in December 2021.
Though he was sentenced to 150 days in prison with 30 months on probation, he was released pending the outcome of his appeal.
He was also ordered to repay $120,106 to the Chicago Police to cover their investigation costs.
The case had initially sent shock waves through a deeply divided country still plagued by racial and sexual discrimination, and the actor had immediately received support from celebrities in political and cultural circles.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruling said that bringing the charges a second time after “the defendant has performed his part of the bargain” represented “a due process violation.”
“We therefore reverse (the) defendant’s conviction,” the ruling said.
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