Entertainment
Mr. Ibu’s N50m Recovered As Son, Lover Face Charges
At the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, detectives have recovered N50 million suspected of being illicitly withdrawn from the bank account of popular actor Mr. John Okafor, also known as Mr. Ibu.
This significant development unfolded alongside the apprehension of Mr. Ibu’s son, Onyebuchi Okafor, and his partner, Jasmine Okekeagwu, sending shockwaves through the heart of the entertainment industry.
The arrest and subsequent court charges for conspiracy and theft unfolded following a petition filed by Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Mr. Ibu’s wife, Stella Maris Okafor, dated September 6, 2023.
The allegations detailed a intricate plot involving Mr. Ibu’s sons, Daniel and Valentine Okafor, and Jasmine Okekeagwu, aimed at defrauding the actor.
ASP Mayegun Aminat, the spokesperson for the FCID, revealed that investigations exposed a web of deceit.
According to the investigation, Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu allegedly exploited Mrs. Stella Maris Okafor’s trust, gaining unauthorized access to Mr. Ibu’s phone and subsequently his banking information.
Exploiting the illicit access gained, the culprits orchestrated deceitful transfers, amounting to N55 million, from the public fundraising account designated for Mr. Ibu’s medical expenses to Daniel Okafor’s personal bank account.
Through thorough forensic scrutiny, the embezzled funds were traced to Onyeabuchi Okafor’s account.
It was discovered that N5 million had already been expended on dubious transactions, while the remaining N50 million was successfully recovered.
Subsequent investigations unveiled the suspects’ elaborate escape plan. Jasmine Okekeagwu and Onyeabuchi Okafor were intending to abscond to the United Kingdom, utilizing a fake marriage and an already in-progress visa application.
Moreover, the inquiry brought to light compelling evidence in the form of WhatsApp messages exchanged between Jasmine Chioma and Daniel Okafor, outlining the intricate details of their nefarious collaboration.
Onyeabuchi Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu are currently confronting charges at Chief Magistrates Court 1, Yaba, with their case adjourned to March 11, 2024.
Remarkably, both individuals have been granted bail, each necessitating two sureties and an amount fixed at N15 million.
The case file has been formally transferred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for further legal counsel.
Entertainment
FULL LIST: Nigeria Ranks 5th Worldwide For Daily Social Media Usage
Nigerians have been ranked among the top social media users globally, with 2024 data positioning the country fifth in the world for average daily time spent online.
According to figures from Cable.co.uk and We Are Social, shared by World of Statistics on X, Nigerians spend an average of 3 hours and 23 minutes per day on social media.
Leading the global list is Kenya, where users spend the most time on social media at 3 hours and 43 minutes daily. South Africa follows closely with 3 hours and 37 minutes, Brazil with 3 hours and 34 minutes, and the Philippines at 3 hours and 33 minutes.
READ MORE: Prayers Won’t Build Roads, Fund Children’s Education – Jesse Jagz To Nigerians
With an average of 3 hours and 23 minutes, Nigeria ranks just behind these top four countries in social media engagement.
Other nations with notable social media usage include Colombia at 3 hours and 22 minutes, Chile and Indonesia both at 3 hours and 11 minutes. Completing the top ten are Saudi Arabia and Argentina, with daily averages of 3 hours and 10 minutes and 3 hours and 8 minutes, respectively.
By comparison, some countries report lower social media usage. Ghana averages 2 hours and 43 minutes, Egypt 2 hours and 41 minutes, and Thailand 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Among European countries, social media engagement is generally lower, with Portugal averaging 2 hours and 23 minutes, Romania 2 hours and 20 minutes, and Italy 2 hours and 17 minutes, highlighting significant regional variations in social media usage.
Full list:
Kenya – 03:43
South Africa – 03:37
Brazil – 03:34
Philippines – 03:33
Nigeria – 03:23
Colombia – 03:22
Chile – 03:11
Indonesia – 03:11
Saudi Arabia – 03:10
Argentina – 03:08
Mexico – 03:04
Malaysia – 02:48
Ghana – 02:43
Egypt – 02:41
Thailand – 02:30
Bulgaria – 02:26
Vietnam – 02:23
Portugal – 02:23
Romania – 02:20
Italy – 02:17
Entertainment
Shanty Town Director Dimeji Ajibola Is Dead
Renowned Nollywood director and editor, Dimeji Ajibola, has passed away.
Ajibola reportedly died in the early hours of November 3, 2024, following a battle with an undisclosed illness.
READ MORE: IPOB Calls For Ban On Miyetti Allah, Open Grazing To Curb ESN Operations
Actor Bolanle Ninalowo confirmed the tragic news through an Instagram post featuring a photo captioned: “I love you, brother, and I miss you, Dimeji Ajibola. May God heal your family and loved ones. Till we meet again, didi dox, rest on the champ.”
Ajibola was known for directing the 2023 Nigerian crime thriller series ‘Shanty Town’ and the 2012 award-winning urban musical film ‘Hoodrush,’ which earned accolades such as Best Movie at the 2012 Green Me Film Festival in Germany, among others.
Entertainment
Bobrisky Granted Bail After Denying N15m Bribe Voicenote Claim
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted bail to the controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
Bobrisky was intercepted and taken off an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday night while trying to depart for London, United Kingdom.
The cross-dresser promptly informed his followers on social media about the incident, claiming he sustained injuries during the arrest.
READ MORE: May Edochie Reveals Why She Rejected Lucrative Movie Roles
Bobrisky wrote, “Nigerians, help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.”
He was subsequently flown to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja, where he was interrogated on his bribery allegations against the commission.
In a voice note shared by a controversial social critic, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky allegedly said he bribed EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him.
BIZTELLERS gathered that Bobrisky perfected his bail late Friday night and was subsequently released.
The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale confirmed Bobrisky’s release on Saturday but declined further comments.
However, a source familiar with the matter said the cross-dresser denied bribing the EFCC in his confessional statement made at the commission’s headquarters.
The source added that the cross-dresser challenged the person who posted the voice note to defend it.
“He denied everything about releasing money to any official as a bribe to drop the money laundering charges against him. He denied it in his statement. He said the fellow who posted the voice note should come over to justify it. He said nobody requested money from him in the EFCC and he didn’t give anyone anything”, said the source.