Entertainment
D’Banj Settles With Rape Accuser
Nigerian music star, Oyebanjo Dapo also known as D’banj has settled with Seyitan Babatayo, the 25-year-old woman who accused him of raping her. According to her, D’banj allegedly forced his way into her room and raped her in 2018.
In the latest development on the case, Stand To The End Rape (STER), a nonprofit organisation geared towards helping rape victims who were involved in the case have released a statement that revealed that D’banj and the accuser reached a non monetary settlement.
On the 13th of July 2020, Ms Babatayo informed Ster that a non-monetary agreement was reached with D’banj’s team in the statement, Ster said they refused to be involved in talks over a settlement as it goes against the organisation’s policy.
“Such settlements in our experience often involve an asymmetry of power between the accused and the victim more unfortunately, while private settlements are usual in civil disputes, they are however not applicable to criminal cases, particularly where a felony has been alleged to have been committed, only the state has the authority to discontinue a criminal investigation and prosecution”, the statement noted.
In their response however, Ms Babatayo’s legal representatives Olamide Ogunleye of Ojo Omilaye and partners told The Tide source that the only agreement reached was that both parties are going to stand down media trials and allow the law to take its course.
He said both parties have agreed to desist from making any post or leaking any information to the public and allow the police to carry out their investigation.
There are also reports that the case has been dismissed, but the police has not made any statement to that effect.
After the accusation, D’banj faced further scrutiny after Babatayo revealed that she was arrested by police on the musician’s order and forced to delete the social media posts with which she first revealed the accusation.
She went on to file a criminal charge against D’banj while the former musician’s manager, Amudo also came out to corroborate her claims.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’