Entertainment
Nollywood Actor, Lawori Accuses NURTW Chieftain Of Violent Attack
The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to launch an investigation into allegations leveled by Nollywood actor Lawori against Ganiyu Oyedepo, popularly known as Koko Zaria, a prominent figure in the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
Lawori alleges that he sustained a head injury during an assault at the 2024 Idimu Day event held on June 25, 2024.
In a video shared on social media by user Oyindamola, tweeting as #dammiedammie35, the actor displayed a stitched wound on his head while appealing for justice said he was one of the Masters of Ceremony at an event.
Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed the police’s response to the incident on Monday.
While performing his duties, Lawori stated that an unidentified man approached him on stage and informed him that the NURTW chief had requested his presence, to which he complied.
He narrated, “As I went to meet Koko Zaria to greet him, he asked if I didn’t see them here. Then I apologised and said I would do the needful when I returned to the stage.
“I then heard somebody ask if I was Lawori, thinking that he (the person) didn’t know me and was meeting me for the first time. It was later confirmed to him that I’m Lawori. While I was talking with Koko Zaria and I turned, the man took a bottle of Martell (in front of Koko Zaria and his guys) and broke it on my head.”
The actor further recounted that he was covered in blood and lost consciousness during the attack.
He mentioned that his memory of the incident only resumed at the hospital, where he underwent stitching for his head wound, causing him considerable pain.
“Please, Nigerians, help me. It was Koko Zaria who sent someone to summon me,” he asserted, expressing bewilderment over the motive behind the assault. “Save me from Koko Zaria. I don’t understand what I’ve done to him,” he pleaded.
Responding to the accusation on his Instagram page on Monday, NURTW chief Ganiyu Oyedepo, known as #kokozaria_americaboy, categorically denied the allegation.
“Lawori has never wronged me. We have a very close relationship. I watched a video where he claimed I instructed the attack on him. What reason would I have for such an act?” he questioned.
Oyedepo continued, “Lawori, I have no ill will towards you, but I challenge you to swear by everything dear to you, including your ambitions, that I ordered such an attack.”
The NURTW boss clarified that during the event, which drew a large crowd, he invited the actor to greet him and apologized for missing an earlier engagement the actor had invited him to.
Oyedepo recalled that upon Lawori’s return to the stage, a scuffle broke out involving two individuals as Lawori halted the music they were enjoying.
He emphasized that he did not attend the event with his associates, stating, “As you were leaving the stage, I observed people hitting bottles on your head. I immediately took you to the hospital where you received treatment.
“I stayed with you, covered your medical expenses, and even gave you a significant amount of money. All of this took place on Tuesday.”
He mentioned leaving the hospital with Lawori around 1 a.m. and said that he was the one who informed the actor’s wife about the incident.
Oyedepo also mentioned that Lawori called him on the phone on Wednesday to pray for him and to express gratitude.
“I am aware of everything that’s going on. I know who sent you. I leave you to God,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), responding to the video on X.com on Monday, stated, “This matter will be thoroughly investigated, and justice will prevail. Numerous concerned individuals have contacted me regarding this case. @BenHundeyin, @FCID_ANNEX, @LagosPoliceNG, @PoliceNG.”
The Plateau State Government has thrown its weight behind Big Brother Naija housemate, Sheba Faith Gamde, urging residents and supporters across the country to vote massively for the Plateau-born contestant.
The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Prince Miaphen, made the call when he received members of Team Sheba, who visited the ministry on Thursday to seek government support for the reality TV star.
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Miaphen assured the delegation that the ministry would mobilise support for Sheba and provide the encouragement needed to help her succeed in the competition.
Describing Sheba as a proud daughter of Plateau State, the commissioner said her participation in the popular reality show provided an opportunity for the state to showcase its talents and culture on a wider national platform.
“As a proud daughter of Plateau, I believe it is our collective responsibility to stand behind her and support her journey,” Miaphen said.
He called on Plateau indigenes, residents, friends and supporters of the state to unite behind Sheba and vote for her, stressing that every vote could make a difference in determining the eventual winner.
“Together, we can help our own bring the ultimate prize home,” he added.
Miaphen further encouraged youths and other residents to support the housemate throughout her stay in the BBNaija house.
“Let us support Sheba. Let us make Plateau proud,” the commissioner said.
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has sparked a debate over money and power in relationships after revealing how she would behave if she were financially richer than her male partner.
The “Bloody Samaritan” hitmaker shared her views on financial disparity in relationships while speaking on an episode of the Wahala podcast.
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Ayra Starr said that if she dates a man who is not as wealthy as she is, she would naturally have control over him because of her financial advantage.
According to the singer, however, being richer than her partner would not mean he would be exempted from providing for her.
“If I date a man who I am richer than, I will control him. But even if I am richer, he will still be providing, and I won’t let him know I have a lot of money,” she said.
Ayra Starr also disclosed that she would deliberately keep the extent of her wealth away from such a partner, meaning he would not necessarily know that she has substantial financial resources.
Her comments have since generated mixed reactions from members of the public.
While some people agreed with the singer’s position, arguing that “it is a man’s job to provide” regardless of how much his female partner earns, others criticised her stance.
Critics particularly questioned her decision to hide her financial status from a future partner, arguing that openness about finances is an important part of a relationship.
The singer’s comments have consequently reignited conversations about financial power, control, transparency and traditional gender expectations in relationships.
The debate also comes amid growing conversations about changing gender roles, as more women attain financial independence and, in some cases, earn significantly more than their male partners.
Ayra Starr, who has established herself as one of Nigeria’s prominent Afrobeats artistes, continues to attract attention both for her music and her outspoken comments on issues surrounding relationships and society.
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, and her former husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skillz, have sparked reactions online after they were spotted together in Paris, France, during a family holiday.
The former couple were seen spending time with their twin sons while exploring different parts of the French capital.
In a video shared by JJC Skillz on Snapchat on Wednesday, Akindele and her ex-husband were seen with their children at what appeared to be a shopping centre in Paris.
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The video was captioned, “Family time.”
In another clip, JJC Skillz asked Akindele, “Mama Ibeji, are we playing games?”
She replied, “Yess ooo.”
The former couple were also reportedly spotted at the Eiffel Tower, according to videos shared online.
Akindele also shared a video showing herself, JJC Skillz and their children at a PlayStation section of what appeared to be a mall in Paris.
The family outing comes after Akindele and her children travelled to the United Kingdom for a holiday following the completion of her latest cinema project, The Four.
Akindele and JJC Skillz got married in London in 2016 and welcomed twin boys in 2018.
However, in June 2022, JJC Skillz announced their separation in an Instagram post, citing
“irreconcilable differences.”
Despite their separation, the former couple have continued to maintain a relationship centred around their children.
Their latest reunion in Paris has attracted attention online, with the videos showing the pair enjoying family moments with their children.
The Paris outing is also not the first time Akindele and JJC Skillz have been seen together publicly since their separation.
In 2023, the former couple were spotted together at the Lagos premiere of their movie, She Must Be Obeyed. They were seen dancing and embracing as they joined other celebrities at the event.
JJC Skillz also directed the movie.
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