Entertainment
Naira Marley Remanded in Prison Custody Till May 30
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered that up-and-coming artiste Azeez Fashola, who goes by the stage name Naira Marley, be remanded in the prison.
The judge made the remand order on Monday morning shortly after Naira Marley was arraigned on 11 counts bordering on credit card fraud.
Naira Marley pleaded not guilty to the cyber fraud charges pressed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The judge adjourned till May 30 to take the bail application filed by the defence counsel, Taiwo Oreagba, on behalf of her client.
Following the court order, Naira Marley was led into the holding cell on the court premises by prison officials accompanied by policemen and EFCC officials.
At the court were the singer’s relatives, including his mother, who looked distraught.
The mother looked on as her son was led away by security. But she was later permitted into the holding cell where Naira Marley was held temporarily before being taken to Ikoyi Prison.
In the charges against him, the EFCC alleged that Naira Marley conspired with Yad Isril and Raze, said to be at large, to use access cards, with numbers 5264711020433662 and 42658840359191132, “issued to persons other than you in a bid to obtain gain.”
The EFCC also alleged that Naira Marley was on May 10, 2019 found in possession of two counterfeit access cards Nos. 4539782440624281 and 492189410257431 issued in the names of Nicole Louise Malyon and Timea Fedorne Tatar, respectively.
The anti-graft agency said the artiste retained the two cards and another one with number 5264711020433662, issued to an unknown person “under circumstances which constitute card theft.”
The prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that Naira Marley acted contrary to Section 27 (1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.
He said the musician was liable to be punished under sections 33(9) and 34 of the same Act.
The Punch
Forbes has named American rapper, Sean Carter aka Jay-Z, as the greatest rapper of all time.
The publication recently released its 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time list, celebrating the best in the hip-hop world.
Jay-Z topped the list, followed by Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, J. Cole, and Tupac at numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively.
Drake, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Nas, and Eminem complete the top 10.
Also on the list are Andre 300 (11), The Notorious B.I.G (12), Missy Elliott (13), Chuck D (14), A$AP Rocky (15), Lil’ Kim (16), Tyler, the Creator (17), Snoop Dogg (18), Ghostface Killah (19) and Common (20).
Popular names in hip-hop like 50 Cent, Ice Cube, Juice WRLD, Lauryn Hill, Dr. Dre, Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, Future, Childish Gambino, Bad Bunny, Pusha T, Cardi B and Young Thug, rank at number 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 40, 46, 48 and 49, respectively.
The British music icon, Sir Elton John, has shared a heartbreaking revelation on the loss of his eyesight after battling a severe infection.
Elton John disclosed this during a recent public appearance at the charity gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada: “The Musical,” staged at the London Dominion Theatre on Sunday.
The 77-year-old, whose revelation stunned many at the gala performance, said he did not watch the show due to his failing eyesight.
He said: “As some of you may know, I have had issues, and now I have lost my sight.
“I have enjoyed listening to the performance, even though I haven’t been able to see it.”
Sir Elton John even gave his husband, David Furnish, who was present at the event, credit for supporting him through the hardship.
“To my husband, who has been my rock, because I haven’t been able to attend many of the previews because, as you know, I’ve lost my vision, so it’s difficult for me to see them, but I love to hear them.
“And tonight it sounded great! Alright! I appreciate you coming,” he added.
The highbrow Banana Island in Ikoyi, Lagos, was literally transformed on Saturday night as Globacom joined the community to mark the commencement of the Yuletide season.
The company sponsored the community’s Starlight Night organized by the Banana Island Property Owners and Residents Association Lagos (BIPORAL).
The 2024 Starlight Night, which was the fifth in the series, was an evening to usher in the Yuletide season with families and friends as well as “a day to reflect on how the year has been, and be thankful for where we are under a beautiful weather”.
Globacom, in a statement, expressed delight in sponsoring the celebration to spread the festive cheer as well as the lighting of a Christmas tree and street light boxes across key locations around Banana Island.
“Christmas is a time for unity, joy, and togetherness, and as a company, we believe in contributing to the communities where we operate. This is our way of giving back and spreading joy and hope to our fellow Nigerians, especially as we prepare to enter the new year”, the company disclosed.
The special event brought together local residents, friends, community leaders, and corporate partners, and witnessed electrifying performances by entertainment groups, Art Afrique and SPAN.
Starlight night ended with Christmas fireworks which lit up the sky with dazzling bursts of colour and sparkle, adding a vibrant and festive glow to the celebrations.
The event will culminate in the illumination of street light boxes which will be strategically placed throughout the island’s key streets.
Globacom’s sponsorship of the Starlight Night has added a touch of festive season to the Banana Island neighbourhood, reinforcing the company’s commitment to bringing joy to Nigerian communities during the festive season.
