Entertainment
Shakira Faces Tax Fraud Trial In Barcelona
On Monday, Colombian superstar Shakira would be standing trial in Barcelona for a tax fraud case, with Spanish prosecutors pursuing over eight years of jail time.
The 46-year-old is accused of defrauding the Spanish state of 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) from income earned between 2012 and 2014.
Shakira denies the charges, asserting that she only relocated to Spain full time in 2015.
The focus of the case revolves around determining the time the singer, known for hits like “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Whenever, Wherever,” and the 2010 World Cup song “Waka Waka,” spent in Spain between 2012 and 2014.
Spanish authorities claim that Shakira, dubbed the Queen of Latin Pop, spent more than half of the period between 2012 and 2014 in Spain and should have paid taxes in the country.
They assert that she moved to Spain in 2011 after her relationship with former FC Barcelona star defender Gerard Pique became public. However, they argue she maintained official tax residency in the Bahamas until 2015.
According to the indictment, the prosecution alleges that Shakira “used a set of companies” based in tax havens “with the intention of not paying” tax in Spain.
Prosecutors are pushing for an eight-year and two-month jail term, along with a fine of nearly 24 million euros ($24 million) for the singer.
In defense, Shakira’s lawyers argue that until 2014, she led a “nomadic life,” primarily earning from international tours, and only permanently moved to Barcelona just before the birth of her second son in January 2015.
In a 2022 interview with Elle magazine, the singer declared, “I’ve paid everything they claimed I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit. So, as of today, I owe zero to them.”
In June 2022, Shakira announced her separation from Pique, concluding a decade-long relationship that marked one of the world’s most famous celebrity couples. In April, she relocated to Miami with their two sons, Milan and Sasha.
The high-profile trial is scheduled to commence at a Barcelona court at 10 am (0900 GMT). Anticipated to extend until December 14, the proceedings are set to involve the testimonies of nearly 120 witnesses.
During the trial’s opening session, the singer is anticipated to take the stand, but there may be a request for her absence in subsequent hearings.
The proceedings are expected to unveil details of her private life, as Spanish prosecutors conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing neighbors, monitoring social media images, examining payments at hairdressers, and even scrutinizing the health clinic she attended during pregnancy to substantiate their accusations.
Controversial street-hop singer, Okikiola Badmus, better known by his stage name Portable, has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet the bail terms set by an Upper Area Court.
The singer was arraigned on Monday following allegations of defamation filed against him by veteran Fuji star, Akorede Saheed, popularly known as Saheed Osupa.
Although the court approved bail for Portable in the sum of N1 million, the conditions attached proved difficult for the singer to meet immediately.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Court Grants Singer Portable ₦1m Bail Over Criminal Charges
The court stipulated that he must produce two sureties in like sum — one of whom must be “either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria,” while the second must be “a property owner within a Government Reserved Area in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.”
More to follow……….
Entertainment
‘Nigeria Jaga Jaga’ Will Remain Unofficial National Anthem Until Change Happens – Eedris Abdulkareem
Renowned Nigerian rapper and activist Eedris Abdulkareem has boldly asserted that his 2001 protest anthem Nigeria Jaga Jaga will continue to serve as Nigeria’s unofficial second national anthem, insisting it will remain so until the country addresses the systemic issues it critiques.
Abdulkareem, famed for his fearless criticism of corruption and social injustices, made these remarks in a recent interview with Channels TV.
The song, which has seen a resurgence in popularity on platforms like TikTok, was groundbreaking for its uncompromising portrayal of Nigeria’s governmental failures, rampant corruption, and decaying infrastructure.
READ MORE: Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem Drops New Single ‘THANK YOU‘
Abdulkareem declared, “Nigeria Jaga Jaga will continue to be the second national anthem, whether anybody likes it or not. But I always pray to wake up one day and find the song is no longer relevant. That would make me very happy.”
Released nearly a quarter of a century ago, Nigeria Jaga Jaga caused a national stir with its sharp criticism of the nation’s political and economic decay.
Even though the song faced government bans and significant backlash at the time, it has stood the test of time, resonating with generations of Nigerians who continue to grapple with the same issues.
Abdulkareem expressed regret that the song’s message remains as relevant today as it was when it was first released: “Until we see real development—constant electricity, security, and good leadership—Nigeria Jaga Jaga will remain relevant. Sadly, 24 years later, the message of the song is still our reality.”
Aside from revisiting his iconic hit, Abdulkareem also addressed the controversy surrounding his latest track, Tell Your Papa. The song, which was recently banned by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and marked “Not to be Broadcast” (NTB), has ignited a fresh debate on the state of censorship and freedom of expression in Nigerian music.
Many believe that Tell Your Papa is a direct rebuttal to a viral video in which Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, passionately defended his father’s administration.
Abdulkareem explained his motivation behind the song, revealing, “I was inspired by Seyi Tinubu. In the video, he kept repeating, ‘My father is the greatest president.’ But I differ. He may be the best father to Seyi, but he’s the worst president to Nigerians.”
The rapper went on to criticize the current administration for its failure to address Nigeria’s economic challenges, insecurity, and widespread youth unemployment.
Abdulkareem contrasted the privileged life of Seyi Tinubu with the struggles faced by everyday Nigerians, saying, “I told him to travel by road without security and feel the pain of the people.
Nigerian youths are asking for basic things—electricity, security, job opportunities—not palliatives.”
Despite the ban, Abdulkareem maintained that his song was not an insult but a truthful commentary on the country’s leadership.
“If you listen carefully, there’s nowhere in the song that I insult him. I just stated the truth. He spoke publicly, so I responded publicly. If he had remained silent, I wouldn’t have recorded the song,” Abdulkareem clarified.
Drawing comparisons to the legendary Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti, Abdulkareem emphasized that his criticism comes from a deep love for Nigeria.
“I’m a passionate Nigerian. I love this country deeply. But truth is bitter, and those in power don’t like hearing it,” he said. “I want a better Nigeria, and I’ll keep speaking out until we see real change.”
An Upper Area Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has granted bail to controversial Nigerian singer, Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, in the sum of ₦1 million.
Portable was arraigned before the court on Sunday on charges bordering on criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking.
Ruling on his bail application, the court ordered that the singer must produce two sureties in like sum.
READ ALSO: I Want To Fight Anthony Joshua – Portable
One of the sureties is required to be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must own a landed property within a Government Reserved Area (GRA) and present a valid Certificate of Occupancy as proof.
The court has adjourned the case, with further proceedings expected to continue in the coming days.
Details later…
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