Joseph Aloba, father of late singer, Illerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, has claimed that the singer rejected his son, Liam, before his death.
Speaking in a clip captured from a recent social media making the rounds on X , he claimed his late son told him he only slept with Wunmi once before she brought Liam’s pregnancy to him.
Speaking in Yoruba, he said, “They shaved my late son’s hair before I got to his house. People saying my son didn’t reject Liam are lying. He said he only slept with Wunmi once and she brought pregnancy after their first sex.”
Aloba has been clamouring for a DNA test to be conducted on Liam to ascertain his true paternity following the tragic death of the rapper.
DAILY POST reported that Wunmi, who had previously expressed her willingness for a DNA test on her son, said she is no longer open to a DNA test on Liam.
She said only her late husband has the right to request a DNA test from her.
Wunmi claimed that Mohbad disvirgined her and he was the only man she had ever known.
Video:
Media
“They shaved my de@d son hair before I got to his house, people saying my son didn't reject Liam are lying, he said he only slept with Wunmi(Mohbad wife) once and Wunmi brought pregnancy after their first sǝx”.
— CHUKS ? (@ChuksEricE) May 18, 2024
-Mohbad Dads reveals pic.twitter.com/U6B0bYLoET
The Naira recorded two appreciations and three depreciations in the last week amid the foreign exchange crisis.
The development comes as the Naira closed on Friday at N1497.33 per dollar.
This is an appreciation compared to N1533.99 on Thursday.
Accordingly, the Naira appreciated N1459.02 and N1497.33 per dollar on Wednesday, 15th, and Friday, May 17, respectively, in the week under review.
Conversely, on Monday, May 13, Tuesday, May 14, and Thursday, May 16, the Naira depreciated N1478.1, N1520.40, and N1533.99, respectively.
In the last seven days, the Naira has lost N31.02 compared to the N1466.31 per dollar it traded last Friday.
Meanwhile, at the parallel market section, the Naira gained N42 against the dollar, trading at N1475 per dollar on Friday compared to N1,517 on Monday.
This is because dollar transactions at the official market remained low, closing at $83.50 million on Friday.
Bureau De Change Operators blamed poor foreign exchange allocation from the Central Bank of Nigeria on the Naira depreciation.
CBN recently approved 14 International Money Transfer Operators to boost foreign currency remittances into Nigeria.
Isaac Oyedepo, the son of Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church, has confessed that he used to struggle with pornography at a point in his life.
Isaac disclosed that he got indulged in P0rnography during a trip to an European country.
Featuring on a podcast “Confession Box,” Isaac said he overcame through the help of God.
According to Isaac: “My confessions are good ones that will help people. I struggled with p0rnography before.
“I remembered how it started, we travelled to one country and I was meant to be in the room alone, I switched on the TV and that’s it.
“But God brought me out of it very quickly. A lot of people still struggle with it and I think of somebody who had struggled with it and had walked up to me and told me how to come out, I would have come out quickly.
“I think people feel there are things we shouldn’t talk about, but today there are some pastors and church members still struggling with it.
“You may be anointed, seeing signs and wonders but it does not mean you are standing right.
“There is this old saying that if it’s working it means you are standing right but I found out that it’s not always the case. There are times I found out I wasn’t right, but grace and mercy found me.
“For the sake of someone who is genuine in the congregation, God can bypass you to meet the person; this is my confession.”
…okays elevation of Wike’s wife, 21 others to Court of Appeal
…bars 2 judges from getting promotion to Appeal Court for a period
The National Judicial Council, NJC, on Friday, said it has constituted panels to investigate eight judges for alleged judicial misconduct.
The Council, in a statement it made available to newsmen, said its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees filtered 35 petitions that were written against the judicial officers and them to be meritorious.
However, the legal body stressed that other petitions that were brought against 20 High Court judges across the federation, were dismissed for lack of merit, evidence of misconduct, subjudice or that they were matters that could be appealed.
It further disclosed that stern warnings were issued to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja for abuse of the discretionary power of a Judge by wrongly granting an ex parte order, as well as to Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of the Delta State High Court for his failure to deliver judgement within the stipulated period.
Whereas Justice Ekwo was barred from getting a promotion to the appellate court for a period of two years, Justice Brikins-Okolosi was barred for three years.
Besides, the NJC, which took the decisions at its 105th plenary meeting held on May 15 and 16, okayed the elevation of 22 judges to the Court of Appeal.
Among those who made the list of judges to be promoted to the bench of the appellate court, included the wife of the former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Hon. Justice Nyesom-Wike Eberechi Suzzette.
According to the Council, 64 others were recommended for appointment as judges of various other lower courts.
It said the recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in after the approval of their appointment by President Bola Tinubu and the Governors of their respective states.
Likewise, the Council said it deliberated on the notification of retirements of three Judicial Officers, among whom included the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as well as the notification of death of three Judges of the Federal and State Courts.
The statement, which was signed by the Director of Information at the NJC,
Soji Oye, read: “The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, at its plenary of 105th Meeting held on 15 & 16 May 2024, resolved to issue warning letters to Hon Justice Inyang E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court and Hon. Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court.
“Hon Justice Inyang E. Ekwo is warned for abuse of discretionary power of a Judge by wrongly granting an ex parte order in Suit No FHC/ABJ/C/626/2023 Juliet Ebere Nwadi Gbaka & 2 Ors V Seplat Energy Plc & 12 Ors.
“The Hon Judge is also barred from being elevated to a higher Bench for a period of two years.
“Hon. Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court is also issued a warning for failure to deliver judgement within the stipulated period in Joseph Anene Okafor Vs Skye Bank, Suit No A/94/2010 after parties had filed and adopted their final Written Addresses.
“Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi will also not be elevated to a higher Bench for three years.
“Council cautioned Hon. Justice Amina Shehu of Yobe State High Court for issuing Writ of Possession Conferring Title on the Defendant in Suit No YBS/HC/NNR/1cv/2020 when there was no subsisting judgement of any Court to enable His Lordship issue the Writ.
“Council at the meeting considered two Reports of its two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees that filtered 35 petitions written against Judges of the Federal and State High Courts and decided to empanel eight Committees to further investigate the petitions that were found meritorious by the Committees.
“Petition against various Judges were dismissed for lack of merit, evidence of misconduct, subjudice or that they were matters that could be appealed.
“The dismissed petitions were against Hon Justices A. M. Liman, A. A. Okeke, D. E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Hon Justices S. B. Belgore, Bello Kawu both of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Hon Justices O. A. Chijioke, A. E. Akeredolu and Kadi M. U. El-Mainari who sat on Election Petition Tribunal in Edo State, Hon Justice Okey Paulinus Aneke, High Court Enugu State and Hon Justice C. Anya of Abia State.
“Others are Hon Justices M. A. Ikpambese and W. I. Kpochi both of Benue High Court, Hon Justices T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka Chief Judge and B. C. Iheka of Imo State High Court, Hon Justice Rose Godwin Soji of Nasarawa State High Court, Hon Justice T. J. Yakubu, High Court Taraba State, High Justices W. N. Danagogo and Chinwendu Nworgu, High Court Rivers State, Hon Justice C. C. Okaa, High Court Anambra State and Hon Justice Abdullahi Sulyman High Court, Kogi State.
“The Council deliberated on the notification of retirements of three Judicial Officers including that of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON and notification of death of three Judges of the Federal and State Courts.
“Council at the Meeting also considered the recommendation of its Interview Committee on Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria and resolved to recommend the under-listed 86 Judicial Officers for appointment to the Court of Appeal, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Sharia Courts of Appeal and Customary Courts of Appeal of States in Nigeria.
They are as follows:
“Twenty-Two (22) Justices, Court of Appeal: Hon. Justice Kwahar Polycarp Terna, Hon. Justice Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola, Hon. Justice Eleojo Eneche, Hon. Justice Asma’u Akanbi-Yusuf, Hon. Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, Hon. Justice Abdu Dogo, Hon. Justice Fadawu Umaru, Hon. Justice Ishaq Mohammed Sani, Hon. Justice Zainab Bage Abubakar, Hon. Justice Abdulazeez M. Anka, Hon. Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba, Hon. Justice Nwoye Victoria Tochukwu, Hon. Justice Nwabunkeonye Onwosi, Hon. Justice Okorowo Donatus Uwaezuoke.
“Hon. Justice Ngozika Uwazurunonye Okaisabor, Hon. Justice Ntong Festus Ntong, Hon. Justice Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi, Hon. Justice Nyesom-Wike Eberechi Suzzette, 19. Hon. Justice Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo, Hon. Justice Akinyemi Abiodun Azeem, Hon. Justice Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola and Hon. Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi.
“Twelve (12) Judges, High Court, FCT, Abuja: Ademuyiwa Olakunle Oyeyipo, Bamodu Odunayo Olutomi, Anumaenwe Godwin Iheabunike, Odo Celestine Obinna, Hauwa Lawal Gummi, Abdurahman Usman, Buetnaan Mandy Bassi, Sarah Benjamin Inesu Avoh, Maryan Iye Yusuf, Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria, Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike and Munirat Ibrahim Tanko.
“Seven (7) Judges, Imo State High Court: Akowundu Cletus Ndubuisi, Uchenna Mary Njoku, Chibuogwu Ojiugo Chukwumaeze, Ononogbo Chidi Linus, Adaego Peace Nosiri, Emeka Ozoma Orafu, Mathew Chinedu Ijezie.
“Six (6) Judges, Bauchi State High Court: Amin Umar Ilelah, Aliyu Bin Idris, Ahmed Shuaibu Ningi, Shafa’u Ladan Yusuf, Abdussalam Idris Waziri, Kawu A. Yerima.
“Three (3) Judges, Taraba State High Court: Hamidu Audu, Bibonga Jeniffer Nauma, Joel Daniel Ubandoma.
“Thirteen Judges, Lagos State High Court: Sunmonu Tunde Bashiru, Azeez Fimisola Augusta, Alebiosu Olawale Lawal, Adewale Russel Musiliu, Popoola Oluwatosin Ajose, Anjorin-Ajose Tanimola Abdulwaheed, Muyideen Abdul-Raheem Tejumade, George Alfred Akingbola, Balogun Adegboyega Ganiu, Shonubi Adenike Kudirat, Badejo-Okusanya Yewande Jokotola, Layinka Oyeladun Amope, Ojuromi Nalirat Olayinka Oluwatosin.
“Four (4) Judges, Kogi State High Court: Ajesola Joseph Sunday, Ojoma Rachael Haruna, Kadiri Badama, Ezema Beatrice Ada.
“Two (2) Judges, Jigawa State High Court: Mohammad El-Usman, Nilfa Abdullahi Gambo.
“Five (5) Kadis, Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State: Ishaku Magaji Abdurrahman Hassan Sabo, Bello Mohammed Sambowal, Muhyiddeen Mohammed, Mahmoud Idris Shehu Tiyin.
“Five (5) Kadis, Sharia Court of Appeal, Kogi State: Muhammad Muhammad Bello, Okino Isah Saidu, Yakubu Adavenge Abbas, Shaibu Ridwan Aliyu, Idris Alhaji Abdullahi.
“One (1) Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal, Jigawa State: Mukhtar Shuaibu Adam.
“Three (3) Judges, Imo State Customary Court of Appeal: Everyman Ezenna Eleanya, Ofoha Sylvesta Uchenna, Ibeh Rosemond Oluchi.
“Two Judges, Customary Court of Appeal, Taraba State: Esther Tata, Benjamin Samuila Bawage.
“One (1) Judge, Customary Court of Appeal, Kogi State: Maryann Oziohu Otaru.
“All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors,” the statement read.
Seun Kuti, the Afrobeat musician, has spoken up about why his late father and the pioneer of Afrobeats, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, married 27 women in one day.
Recall that Fela got married to 27 women in one day back in 1978 in what was seen as a very daring move.
Appearing on the ‘Fresh Off The Boat’ podcast via Skype, Seun Kuti explained that his father married 27 women in one day in a bid to preserve their honour and dignity as the media was already tagging his female dancers and band members living with him as “prostitutes.”
He said: “My father was under immense media propaganda. He was very scrutinised. And most of it were directed to the women that were in his life; his female back-up singers, dancers. They all lived together with my dad but the media started calling them prostitutes.
“So my dad, in order to preserve their honour and dignity, asked them if they would choose to be his brides so nobody would call them names anymore and they all agreed. That was how the marriage happened.”
He also disclosed that Fela’s biopic is already in the works.
Aluko Tunmise, a social media influencer, has been sentenced to one year in prison, by a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, for his involvement in a celebrity scam.
Tunmise was prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a cybercrime-related charge.
This was disclosed in a post on X by EFCC on Friday, May 17.
The post reads: "Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, convicted and sentenced one Aluko Tunmise, a self-acclaimed social media influencer and model, to one year imprisonment for celebrity scam.
He was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrimes.''
One of the counts reads: That you, ALUKO TUNMISE JUWONLO (A.K.A. KEANU REEVES), sometime between January and March, 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, directly made a false statement, wherein you held yourself out as a white man by name "KEANU REEVES" on your Telegram Account, knowing same to be false and with intent that the representation is relied upon for the purpose of procuring the issuance of financial instrument to yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015'.
He pleaded 'guilty' to the charge when it was read to him.
Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, C.C.Okezie, sought to present an operative of the EFCC, Vincent Sunday Kwambuge, to review the facts of the matter.
Kwanbuge told the court that the defendant was arrested sometime in March, 2024 at Lekki County Estate, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the Commission on the activities of some internet fraudsters operating in the area."
Leke Adeboye, the son of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has revealed that he once harbored feelings for the daughter of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church.
He said despite having a crush on Oyedepo’s daughter, Love, she preferred his brother.
Leke disclosed this during his podcast “Confession Box” with Oyedepo’s son, Isaac.
He recounted how he proposed to his wife without a ring because it was against the rules of RCCG.
He disclosed reading a scroll to his wife while promising her that she would never regret marrying him.
Speaking with Isaac, Leke said: “I used to have a crush on your sister, Love, but she was crushing on my brother.”
Leke married Titilope Rachel Adeboye in 2011 and they are blessed with four children.
Leke, who is the last child of Enoch and Folu Adeboye, is an assistant pastor at RCCG.
He also doubles as the senior personal assistant to his father, Pastor Adeboye.
Isaac Oyedepo, the famous son of the founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has clarified reports that he dumped Winners Chapel to start his own ministry.
Isaac Oyedepo maintained that he is a member and steward of Living Faith Church.
Featuring on the podcast of Leke Adeboye’s “Confession Box,” Isaac said he is currently carrying out the “assignment God gave him.”
He said: “I am still in Winners, I’m still in Living Faith, I’m still a member and a steward because of the assignment that God has given to us. I think we just overcomplicate very simple things.
“Before I came in full-time to being a pastor, I was a member and what I see is that it was a transition. Nothing really changed but the challenge is seeing me on the altar ministering as a pastor.
“I am currently planted in a church in Abuja but then, I now have the liberty to pursue what God has asked and called me to do which I can’t do being a full-time pastor.”
Justice Suzette Eberechi Wike, wife of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, was among 22 successful candidates recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal.
Similarly, the NJC also recommended for appointment as judges, an in-law of the FCT Minister, Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike and Victoria Oluwakemi Ariwoola, daughter-in-law of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Recall that a former boss of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof Chidi Odinkalu, had in March this year, accused the judiciary of nepotism over the listing of Nyesom Wike’s in-law and family members of some justices as potential federal high court judges.
Odinkalu, who had posted on his tweeter handle (now X), stated that, “For instance, Governor Bako Lalong appointed No. 7, Buetnaan, the daughter of the president of the Court of Appeal, a judge of the High Court of Plateau State in 2021. I presume this is a transfer, but if it is, why is it being reported as a new appointment?
“Governor Nyesom Wike appointed No. 11, his in-law, a Senior Magistrate in Rivers State last year. I guess the Chief Justice of the FCT High Court is fulfilling his own side of the bargains he reached when he visited Wike last year…?
“On this list you have a daughter of the former Chief Justice of the FCT High Court (No. 5, Zamfara) and a daughter of the current Chief Justice of the FCT High Court (No. 9, Kogi);
“You also have on this list a daughter-in-law of the current Chief Justice of Nigeria, (No. 10, Oyo); and a daughter of his immediate predecessor (No. 12, Bauchi).
Besides Odinkalu, a civil rights group had also in last April embarked on a protest while accusing the CJN of abuse of office and favouritism.
The group had claimed that the CJN breached Rule 11 (iv) and other extant provisions of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, when he appointed his son, Olukayode Ariwoola Junior as a Judge of the Federal High Court and nominated his daughter in-law, Oluwakemi Victoria Ariwoola as a Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
The group, Civil Society Consortium on Judicial Accountability (CSCJA), during the protest in Abuja, demanded the resignation of the CJN, arguing that the action underscores the importance of judicial accountability and impartiality in maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of the legal system.
Coordinator of the group, Mr Martin Obono, had Said that, “the CJN’s appointments have raised serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the erosion of public confidence in the judiciary”.
Obono had maintained that, “It is imperative that the judiciary remains free from personal bias and favouritism to safeguard the principles of justice.”
Besides Wike’s wife, others in the 22-man NJC list for elevation to the appellate court include Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, Justice Donatus Okorowo, both of the Federal High Court and Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the FCT High Court.
This was disclosed in a statement from the NJC signed by the Director, Information, Mr Soji Oye.
“Council at the Meeting also considered the recommendation of its Interview Committee on Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria and resolved to recommend the under-listed 86 Judicial Officers for appointment to the Court of Appeal, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Sharia Courts of Appeal and Customary Courts of Appeal of States in Nigeria”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the statement noted that the NJC at the meeting considered two reports of its two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees that filtered 35 petitions written against Judges of the Federal and State High Courts and decided to empanel eight committees to further investigate the petitions that were found meritorious by the Committees.
However, the statement added that the NJC issued warning letters to three judges and barred two of them from elevation to higher bench for a period.
“The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, at its plenary of 105th Meeting held on May 15&16, 2024, resolved to issue warning letters to Justice Inyang E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court and Hon. Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court”.
According to the statement, Justice Ekwo was warned for abuse of discretionary power of a Judge by wrongly granting an ex parte order in Suit No FHC/ABJ/C/626/2023 Juliet Ebere Nwadi Gbaka & 2 Ors V Seplat Energy Plc & 12 Ors.
“The Hon Judge is also barred from being elevated to a higher Bench for a period of two years.
“Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court is also issued a warning for failure to deliver judgement within stipulated period in Joseph Anene Okafor Vs Skye Bank, Suit No A/94/2010 after parties had filed and adopted their final Written Addresses. Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi will also not be elevated to a higher Bench for a period of three years.Council cautioned Hon.
“Justice Amina Shehu of Yobe State High Court for issuing Writ of Possession Conferring Title on the Defendant in Suit No YBS/HC/NNR/1cv/2020 when there was no subsisting judgement of any Court to enable His Lordship issue the Writ”, the statement added.
While 12 persons were recommended as judges of the FCT High Court, seven were appointed for Imo; six for Bauchi, three for Taraba and 13 for Lagos States’ High Courts.
Similarly, Kogi had four, while Jigawa has two persons appointed as high court judges.
More...
Nigeria's anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a radio station to disseminate information about its activities and initiatives.
The event held on Thursday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the commission, said the agency is now in “a better position to tell our stories factually, ungarnished and unspun”.
“For us in the EFCC, owning a radio station is not a status symbol, but an important organ of mobilisation against graft where communication and public engagement have the same impact and depth as our operational activities,” he said.
“Communication offers us stronger weapons for breaking half-truths, lies, insinuations and other distortions of the works we do.
“Indeed, with our own radio station, we are in a better position to tell our stories, factually, ungarnished and unspun.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the commissioning of this ultra-modern radio station today opens a new phase of fully integrated, mass-based and all-inclusive fight against corrupt practices by the EFCC.
“The station offers the commission a platform for discussions, marketplace of ideas and sounding board of knowing the pulse of the nation concerning our work. It will also provide real-time feedback from the public about the work of the commission.
“To this end, I want to use this opportunity to invite all stakeholders to make the EFCC Radio 97.3FM your station of choice for authentic news and features about anti-corruption and good governance.
“Let us see this new feather in the cap of the EFCC as a window of opportunity for participation and whistle-blowing.
“Let us also see it as a platform of linking up with our day-to-day activities for information, enlightenment and, of course, entertainment.”
Also speaking at the event, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, commended the EFCC for its efforts in combatting corruption, and charged employees of the new radio station to operate in line with global best practices.
“The EFCC should be deliberate and strategic about shaping the narratives around the war against corruption,” the minister said.
“The Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in collaboration with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), will ensure that other relevant public sector agencies tow similar paths and contribute to the task of informing, enlightening and sensitising the public.”
The convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans facing attempted murder has approached the Lagos State High Court, in Ikeja for settlement.
Evans alongside his co-defendant Joseph Emeka, facing murder, and attempted kidnap has opted for the option of a plea bargain.
The state prosecution counsel, Mr. Yusuf Sule, on Thursday, informed the court about the plea bargain option after the case was called for the re-arraignment before Justice Adenike Coker.
Evans and his co-defendant are to be re-arraigned on an amended five-counts bordering on murder, attempt to murder, and conspiracy to commit felony to wit: kidnapping and attempt to murder.
Sule informed the court that the case was for re-arraignment but he was aware the defendant had applied for a plea bargain.
The prosecutor, however, said that the plea bargain terms were being considered by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).
“Within the next four or five weeks, Nigeria shouldn’t import anything like gasoline; not one drop,” Dangote said in Kigali.
Africa’s richest man and Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has assured that following laid down plans of the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria as a nation will have no need to import gasoline from next month.
Dangote also said his refinery has capacity to supply West Africa’s petrol and diesel needs, and the continent’s aviation fuel demand.
The entrepreneur made this announcement at Africa CEO Forum Annual Summit in Kigali on Friday, while expressing optimism in the transformation of Africa’s energy landscape.
“Right now, Nigeria has no cause to import anything apart from gasoline and by sometime in June, within the next four or five weeks, Nigeria shouldn’t import anything like gasoline; not one drop of litre.”
He also outlined progresses made by the oil company to ensure that Africa as a continent becomes self-sufficient when it comes to the energy sector.
“We have enough gasoline to give to at least the entire West Africa, diesel to give to West Africa and Central Africa. We have enough aviation fuel to give to the entire continent and also export some to Brazil and Mexico.
“Today, our polypropylene and our polyethylene will meet the entire demand of Africa today and we are doing base oil, which is like engine oil, we are doing linear benzyl, which is raw material to produce detergent. We have 1.4 billion people in population, nobody is producing that in Africa.
“So, all the raw materials for our detergents are imported. We are producing that raw material to make Africa self-sufficient.
“As I said, give us three or a maximum of four years and Africa will not, I repeat, not import any more fertilizer from anywhere. We will make Africa self-sufficient in both potash, phosphate, and urea, we are at three million tonnes and in the next twenty months, we will be at six million tonnes of urea which is the entire capacity of Egypt. We are getting there.”
Dangote also went further to outline the achievements of the company since the commissioning of the refinery in February.
“For some of us, despite the boom of the capital market of the US, you know, Google, Microsoft and the rest, we didn’t really participate, we took all our money and invested in Africa.
“We had this dream, just about five years ago and we said we want to move from five billion (dollars) revenue to thirty billion revenue and we made it happen. It is possible and now we have made it happen and now we have actually finished our own refinery.
“Our refinery is quite big, it is something that we believe that Africa needs. If you look at the whole continent, there are only two countries that don’t import petroleum products which is a tragedy. They are only Algeria and Libya. The rest are all importers.
“So, we need to really change and make sure that we don’t just go and produce raw materials, we should also produce finished products and create jobs.
“One of the things we also need to know as Africans is that we produce raw materials and export them, when you export raw materials and somebody now keeps importing things into your continent and dumping goods. what you are importing is poverty and exporting jobs out. So, we have to change that narrative,” he said.
“We just commissioned in February and now we are producing jet fuel, we are producing diesel and by next month, we will be producing gasoline. What that would do is that we would be taking most of the African crude that are being produced and also be able to supply not only Nigeria, because our capacity is too big for Nigeria, but it would also supply West Africa, Central Africa and also South Africa. We have 650,000 barrels per day, 1 million tonnes of polypropylene, we have 590,000 carbon black, that is the raw materials ink, dyes and co. We are expanding more. This is the first phase and we are going out to the next phase which will start early next year.”
The richest man in Africa also acknowledged the challenges faced in building the refinery, particularly from those accustomed to the status quo.
He said there was pushback but failure was not an option, even though many people did not believe he would succeed.
“The pushback was very impactful because there are people who have actually been used to just making money trading without refinery and you know, to get people who are committed to Africa has to be people that believe in investing in Africa because the companies that are operating today are actually not investing, and some of the issues of stopping that investment is going to impact us, not today but in the future, which means our oil production will continue to go down because in oil, unless you keep investing, the production is going to go down.
“So, that is the issue. The major burden on us was that there is no room for failure because we were the EPC contractors and ninety percent of people never believed that we were going to deliver but we have been able to deliver now.”
Despite these achievements, Dangote identified policy inconsistency as a major challenge for African entrepreneurs and called for a review and support from the leaders to ensure proper ease of trading in the continent.
Nigerian-British actor, Wale Ojo, has traversed quite a memorable career as an actor in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. He recently won the Best Lead Actor award at the 10th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards held in Lagos. Ojo’s talent and dedication to his craft have seen him rise to prominence in the film industry. He speaks to Ferdinand Ekechukwu about his childhood, journey so far in his acting career and his love for Nigeria. He also says taking on the role of Wole Soyinka in ‘The Man Died’ was the highpoint in his career, noting that it was an immense honour for him to play the role because of his admiration for the Nobel Laureate
How do you feel winning Best Lead Actor at the recently concluded 10th AMVCA?
Well, you know I feel great, I feel good. I’m very grateful to God for winning that award. Like I said during my speech, BB Sasore wrote a great script, we had a great team; Ola Cardoso the D.O.P was fantastic, BB directed, Eku Edewor produced. And of course a great supporting cast; Chimezie Imo top on that list, Geneveva Umeh, Demola Adedoyin, Sam Dede was incredible, Tina Mbah was amazing. So, yeah it was good.
Can the movie – ‘Breadth of Life’ – for which you won the award, be seen as a breath of fresh air?
Yeah. It’s a breath of fresh air for the Nollywood industry. I believe ‘Breadth of Life’ is a film that raised the standard; it raised the bar as far as filmmaking is concerned, as far as storytelling is concerned. It raised the bar for Nollywood, for the Nigeria film industry. It reaches the levels of new Nigerian cinema.
How about the role you played in the movie?
Well, a role is always a role for me. I take each role on its own merit. I approach it according to the script and according to the amount of work I had. And when BB sent me that script, I knew that this is not just a normal religious script ‘come to the church and bla blah bla’. It was a deeply philosophical script and so I enjoyed doing it immensely.
What does this award mean to you considering that you have missed out in a couple of AMVCA nominations in the past?
Well, it’s always good to be recognised by the people in your field. It means a lot and I like to call myself a champion for African cinema. So, to win the Best Lead Actor in Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards, it means you are holding the top position. And I think that’s a wonderful thing; it’s brilliant to be recognised. But I think it also comes with a separate sense of duty to do even better, to achieve even greater height. So, basically from the AMVCA award we then move on to awards outside of the country, recognition outside of the country.
As someone who has graced international scenes, compared to what you see in Nollywood in recent time, what major developments fascinate you?
Well we’ve increased the value of the productions because of the equipment that we are using. A lot of companies are now shooting with very high tech candid cameras. They are paying attention to details which we didn’t used to do so before. They are paying attention to location; they paying attention to costumes and production design. So, all of these they are taking us to a place where it’s going to be very difficult to ignore Nigerian cinema worldwide. Also, with the streaming platforms it is a major development and beneficial to the health and to the growth of the industry because they are bringing in much needed liquid capital into the industry. So, they are much needed. But there’s always an advantage and there’s always a disadvantage. I would like a situation where one can sign deals with streamers and still be able to go to cinemas and still be able to go to film festivals. I think you can still do that, but they are limited on certain licensed titles. I think that most films should. I love the art of cinema. I love when group of people will get together to watch a film in a building, or open air. I think that’s important and I would want that to continue. I would want the streaming platforms to support that as well.
Has it always been an easy journey looking at how you got to where you are now?
No, it’s been a difficult journey. It’s been a long journey; it’s been struggles sometimes but every single time from the moment I decided in my mind I was going to be an actor. And I wanted to be an actor as far back as I can remember. It’s been a rewarding journey. So the rewards have been greater than the pain, struggle, and years of not working or creating own work.
Was there a time you ever felt like quitting?
No. I think there was once or twice when I tried to do something else and I ended up in a shop in London putting prices on the products. I think I lasted one day. There’s another time I tried to sell in the UK, I think I lasted one week. Then I tried working in an office, I think I lasted three days. So, I think my mind just told me ‘do or die’, it’s acting (laughing).
Can you take us back a bit to the beginning of your acting journey?
Well, I would love to go as far back as watching television with my elderly brother, Niyi at one point watching “Combat” which was a war series on TV. So, I used to emulate them, copy them and mimic them. Then sometimes I will be dancing for my mum and my dad and the family in the living room and stuff like that. And then I knew I had a gift for acting when I was doing public speaking when I was at the college in England, I started to do public speaking, then I got into the school play, then I realised that ‘you know what I think I would love to do this for the rest of my life’. That was when I set myself on that path. Then of course everybody thinks ‘you are just joking’… but I kept going. Before the college period I got some exposures going to location and all that here. I was a child actor with WNTV Ibadan, and that’s really where my career started at the age of 8.
How would you describe your childhood?
Fantastic! I had great childhood. I will say I was brought up with a silver spoon in my mouth, probably very spoilt. My mum took me all over the world. And I would go to my father’s side, my grandfather was royalty in Ibadan. I will go to my mother’s side in Edo State, my grandmother and my grandfather were royalty in the Edo Kingdom. So, wherever I went, I was just spoilt. My childhood was great and one of my strongest memories is that my grandmother on my mother’s side had a hotel called Flamingo Hotel in Ekpoma, in Edo State. And only recently I realised that the musician that used to come and play in that hotel was Victor Uwaifo! And also, Victor Uwaifo’s brother used to come and play at the Flamingo Hotel. And I grow up in that hotel in Ekpoma – my cousins and I grew up in that hotel. Furthermore, I used to go to the market square in Ekpoma and watch John Wayne films; I will steal away, my grandmother would be so angry with me, I will steal away and just sit there in the courtyard watching John Wayne. And I used to admire John Wayne. John Wayne was my hero. I used to love it when he used to kill all the Indians. I used to scream and shout. It was only later I realised that it’s the Indians that own the land and John Wayne, a Ku Klux Klan member, was a criminal. From that day on I didn’t like him anymore.
You started out acting on stage. Most of your works have increased and taken major part on screen. Do you prefer one to the other?
Well it’s difficult because I like the detail, the intricacies, and the sweat that one can put into film. But stage, I think stage takes the edge. It’s just that once you get on stage you can’t turn back, there’s no cut. You have to race on to the finish line. And the applause from the audience at the end of the day is what tells you if you have done your job or not. But in yourself you will know because acting is an organic thing, it’s all about the transfers and the exchange of energy between a performer and his audience. So for most good actors, stage is it.
Which is your most memorable career moment as an actor?
I think one of my most memorable is playing a cockroach.
In an animation?
No, not animation it’s in a stage play. I had to be a cockroach and play a cockroach and drop from a ceiling onto the floor and all kinds of things. It took a lot and that was one of my most memorable. I trapped a cockroach in a bottle and I studied the way the cockroach moves in preparation for the role. Poor cockroach I imprisoned it in a bottle and studied the movement, study the way it shook its head, everything and did that on stage.
Who has influenced or played a major role in your career?
There have been many people; from university lecturers to people who are not even alive, people whom I have not even met. Chief of all of them has to be Michael Chekhov, who was a nephew to Anton Chekhov, the Great Russian writer. I just loved his approach to acting. He started in acting school in Russia. He worked in the Moscow Art Theatre. He was Konstantin Stanislavsky’s favourite student. And if you know Konstantin Stanislavski, he’s the person who started what we call The Method for Actors that then went on to America. For me Chekhov was an originator of a very different kind of method; a method they call – For the Use of the Imagination. There are many people along the line. I can mention Paul Robson… Mohammed Ali. You could remember Ali was a performer; he was an actor in his own right. And then coming back to home, Hubert Ogunde, Tunde Kelani, Sam Loco Efe (late), and the rest of them.
You have often described Prof. Wole Soyinka as one of your most iconic figures. How did you feel taking on his character in the adaptation of The Man Died?
Yeah of course I often talk about Wole Soyinka. Taking on the role of Wole Soyinka in ‘The Man Died’ was definitely a highpoint in my career because I have worked with him now for close to, on and off, for about 30 years. So, I think ‘The Man Died’ is such an iconic book in the canon of world literature. And the figure of Wole Soyinka is an iconic figure in the world of literature. So to take him on, to play him in that book was an immense honour.
If you weren’t into acting what would you have been doing?
I have no idea (laughs). I think I was acting from my mother’s womb. Maybe I would do music; though I still do music. Maybe if you are talking of something not in entertainment, maybe a lawyer, but no. I probably would have been. But because lawyers, I don’t know. I have had situations with lawyers. Lawyers can be very funny people.
Maybe a politician, I think I care about people. And I like to see things done right. So, I may have become something of a political activist. I may have settled on the quest for political power.
You have also produced and directed a couple of movies. Is it likely you retire as a director or producer?
No, I will never retire! The world retirement is not coming to my radar at all. It doesn’t, I will never retire. I will metamorphose into the realm of the ancestors singing, dancing and acting by the power of the owner of the sky.
Aside acting, there are other sides of Wale Ojo. Like music. Talk to us about this aspect of your craft. How did it start and what was it that got you into music?
I have always played music. Music helped me to survive in London when there was no work as an actor. So, music helped me survive I formed many bands, I have been in many bands, and I have a band in Lagos called ‘The Milagros.’ It used to be called Wale Ojo and The Milagros. It’s a fantastic band. The core members of that band the three players Jude Aduragbemi on drums, Michael Gbadebo on bass guitar, and Gbenga G tones on keyboard. That’s the core of the band. Yes, we play concerts, at Hard Rock Caffe. We’ve played for Johnnie Walker. We welcome brands to come along and perform with us. When I perform with the band I bring my acting skills, I create a whole entertainment for the audience. We are looking to perform hopefully in Brazil and the United States in the future. Yes, we are looking to perform in those places.
Have you got any musical work that one can point to?
Yes, I have a single out now called ‘Afrika’. It’s out on all the major streaming platforms. Put Wale Ojo Afrika you will get it. It’s an original afrobeat composition done by myself and my band, The Milagros.
What are you engaged with when you are not on set?
A script, a movie, a poem, a monologue, a song, a dance, I’m always creative; creativity for me is key.
And how do you unwind?
I unwind by swimming with turtles or dolphins. I swim a lot. So, I go to Islands I dive into the middle of the ocean and just swim. I love to swim.
Some of your posts come off as someone who is conscious and passionate about Nigeria. What aspirations do you have for the country?
A lot of aspirations. Over the years it would have been extremely easy for me not to come to Nigeria at all. I could easily have stayed in United States, or United Kingdom, or Germany or even Russia. And I know I would have been okay doing what I do there. But I love Nigeria, and I will always love Nigeria no matter what. And I have a lot of vision for Nigeria. And that vision is one that encompasses a country where everybody doesn’t want to ‘Japa’. The ‘Japa’ mentality I think is embarrassing. I think it’s unfortunate, you know where doctors think they go and do their stuff in elsewhere and whereas when I go to the United States or go anywhere, Nigerians are applauded of their ingenuity. And you will come home there are many problems. I want to be a part of the solution; I don’t want to be talking about the problem I want to be a part of the solution. And I put a lot of things in place to bear the solution if the government wants to engage with the creative industry they need to come and talk to people like us because we have a vision for the country; we don’t do ‘follow-follow.’ Ronald Regan was an actor before he became a president; Donald Trump was an actor who became a president, Polish President, Lech Walesa was a playwright who became a president. And of course, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine who was a popular comedian. Creative people, ultimately passionate people and I am passionate about Nigeria.
[ThisDay]