Entertainment
#EndSARS: Court Strikes Out Suit Against Davido, Burna Boy, Others
Justice Bello Kawu of a high court sitting in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by human rights activist, Okenechukwu Okeke against Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Aisha Yusufu, Falz, Pastor Sam Adeyemi and 47 other celebrities and activists over their activities during the October 2020 #End SARS protest.
The Judge in a ruling delivered on Friday, July 2 also restrained the Nigerian police force and Okeke from taking any steps to prosecute the individuals for their role played during the #End SARS protest.
Okeke had in November 2020, filed criminal proceedings before a magistrate court in Abuja against the 50 persons over claims they promoted the October 2020 #End SARS protests.
In the suit, he alleged that the defendants acted in a manner with intent to assist in the promotion of an unlawful assembly under the guice or composition of #End SARS.
The defendants had however filed a suit before a magistrate court seeking the dismissal of the charges, while Okeke had filed a countersuit. The magistrate’s court had in its ruling, ordered the commissioner of police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to investigate the defendants and report back to the court after two weeks.
However, in the ruling delivered on Friday, Justice Kawu ruled that the suit filed by Deji Adeyanju in his representative capacity is proper, adding that the high court was acting in its supervisory Jurisdiction over the magistrate court against the criminal proceedings filed by Okeke.
Samuel Ihensekheing counsel for Adeyanju and 49 other #End SARS protesters while reacting to the judgement said the ruling shows that peaceful protest is legal and not a crime in Nigeria.
“By virtue of today’s ruling, his motion for dismissal of this substantive case has been dismissed by the honourable FCT high court. The consequence of it is that the court will hear the substantive application to formally dismiss the pending criminal complaint and charge before the court.
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.’
