Entertainment
Bolanle: Defence Seeks No-case Submission, Citing “Lack Of Evidence”
The defence for Darambi Vandi, the police officer accused of shooting and killing Lagos-based lawyer Omobolanle Raheem on Christmas Day, has indicated that they will be submitting a no-case application to dismiss the charges.
Vandi, who has pleaded not guilty to the count charge, made this known to the Lagos High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square.
The announcement was made by Vandi’s counsel, Mr Adetokunbo Odutola, after the prosecution counsel, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyo Onigbanjo, (SAN), had concluded their case.
During the hearing, the prosecution witness, Dr Williams Olatunde, a pathologist and forensic expert, testified about the post-mortem examination conducted on the deceased and the findings made.
Justice Ibironke Harrison instructed both parties to submit their final written addresses.
“The findings from the external to internal showed that there were multiple defects mainly on the anterior chest wall and one defect from the left axillary fold.
“On internal examination, there were multiple visceral or organ injuries and muscular skeletal injury,” he narrated.
According to him, the specific injuries includes multiple rib fracture, multiple injuries to the intercostal spaces and injuries to both lungs.
The doctor stated that he was able to establish three things; hemorrhagic shock, and destruction of the chest visceral and musculoskeletal tissues which could be the cause of her death.
He said that the defect in the body was caused by the largest shattered bullet fragment.
According to him, the target path of the bullet is determined by the relative positions of all injuries to each other.
He said that the base of the severity of the injuries seen was that the bullet moved at the maximum force which was likely to be a discharge from a close range.
“A bullet could strike an object and bounce in the direction of the body.
“In simple terms, the deceased was pregnant within the period of fewer than three months,” he added.
While being cross-examined, Odutola inquired whether the pathologist could identify the individual responsible for the fatal gunshot in the post-mortem report. The pathologist replied in the negative, stating that he was unable to do so.
In addition, Odutola contended that the witness had relied on media reports when compiling the post-mortem records.
The witness rebuffed this assertion, asserting that all conclusions were based on the autopsy’s findings. He went on to explain that the explosive power of an AK-47 bullet was so immense that it was equivalent to thousands of fire hoses piercing the body.
Following the cross-examination, Harrison adjourned the proceedings until Feb. 28, when the written arguments of the counsel would be presented.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has publicly declared love and appreciation for her former husband, Olakunle Churchill, years after their highly publicised split.
The emotional moment occurred during their son King Andre’s 10th birthday celebration held in Abuja, where Dikeh offered heartfelt prayers and words of affirmation for Churchill in the presence of guests.
In a video from the event that has since gone viral on social media, the actress described Churchill as “an amazing father” and expressed gratitude for his role in their son’s life.
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“You are an amazing father, thank you so much,” she said. “Your businesses will flourish; whoever curses you shall be cursed. I love you with the love of God.”
Dikeh further prayed for Churchill’s family and children, asking for divine protection, success and progress in all their endeavours.
“I pray for your family. I pray for your business. I pray for all the children. They will progress. Failure will not meet them. Everything that they touch will be blessed,” she declared.
The development marks a significant shift in the relationship between the former couple, whose marriage ended in 2017 amid allegations and public disputes that dominated entertainment headlines for years.
Recently, Dikeh revealed that they had reconciled and “buried the hatchet,” signalling an end to their long-running feud and a renewed focus on peaceful co-parenting.
Churchill later married actress Rosy Meurer in 2021, and the couple have two children together. Despite past controversies, both families appear to have embraced maturity and mutual respect.
The birthday celebration and Dikeh’s public declaration have since sparked mixed reactions online, with many applauding the former couple for putting aside differences for the sake of their son.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.
According to the statement, the governor approved the appointment as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between the government and the people of Edo State.
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“This is to inform the general public that Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy,” the statement read.
Johnson-Okojie, a renowned actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, with nearly two decades in the industry and appearances in over 200 films.
Beyond her acting career, she is the founder of the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation, which focuses on women empowerment, child welfare, educational support, and healthcare outreach.
The Edo State Government expressed confidence that her influence, public appeal, and grassroots connection would help boost awareness of government programmes and encourage citizen participation in state policies.
Her husband, Odianosen Okojie, represents Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The appointment has sparked conversations across social media, with supporters describing it as a strategic move to bridge the gap between governance and the entertainment industry.
Preliminary autopsy results have ruled out food poisoning as the cause of death for two Nollywood production crew members found dead at a movie set in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, on February 7, 2026.
The victims, 36-year-old cinematographer Walter Odediran and his childhood friend Godstime Imeh, Lighting Director and Chief Officer of GeeTee Light, were discovered lifeless inside a Nissan car owned by Imeh, parked within the premises of Evercare Hospital, where a film was being shot.
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According to sources, the autopsy revealed that one of the victims had an empty stomach, while the other had only a small amount of food — “almost as if he hadn’t eaten anything,” a source said.
Walter Odediran’s elder brother, Kola Odediran, confirmed that the family had received the preliminary autopsy report. He said: “The autopsy itself is complete, and no food was found in my late brother.
“The results indicate he did not eat anything. But they are going to carry out toxicology and histology tests, which will provide the definitive answers we are looking for.”
To determine the exact cause of death, experts will conduct additional tests on blood and tissue samples to find out whether the victims ingested or inhaled any harmful substances before their deaths.
These results are expected in two to three weeks.
Relatives of the deceased, as well as colleagues in the Nollywood industry, are awaiting the findings with bated breath, hoping the upcoming tests will shed light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
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