Chiwetel Ejiofor's’12 Years a Slave, Nominated for Top Indie Spirit Awards

Chiwetel Ejiofor                         Chiwetel Ejiofor on set                               

“12 Years a Slave, the well acclaimed Hollywood movie starring our own Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Nebraska” and “Short Term 12″ were among the top nominees for the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which on Tuesday morning announced a slate of nominees filled with films and performers who will likely be contending for Academy Awards as well. In the top category, Best Feature, the nominees are “12 Years,” “Nebraska,” “Frances Ha,” “All Is Lost” and “Inside Llewyn Davis.” Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” led all films with seven nominations, including nods for feature, director and actors Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o and Michael Fassbender. Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” received six nominations.

Drug war: NDLEA arrests 420 suspects, convicts 69...says drug abuse in Lagos alarming

NDLEA boss, Giade

The unending  war on drugs seems to be yielding positive fruits as the Lagos State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has arrested 420 suspected drug traffickers in the past 10 months.

The agency added that within the same period, 69 persons had been convicted for drug related charges.

In a statement on Tuesday by the NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency said other cases were still pending in court.

NDLEA Lagos Commander, Mr. Aliyu Sule, described drug abuse in Lagos as alarming.

Jennifer Love Hewitt Gives Birth to Baby Girl and Secretly Marries Brian Hallisay

Jennifer Love Hewitt shows off her baby bump

"Jennifer Love Hewitt and her husband Brian Hallisay are thrilled to announce the birth of their daughter," the couple's statement read. Us Weekly was the first to report the news.

Hewitt most recently had a lavish baby shower in early October at the Hotel Bel-Air.

Ex-Oyo HOS, others denied bail over N5.6bn pension fraud

Ajimobi

An Oyo State High Court on Tuesday, ruled against the bail applications filed by the former Head of Service in the state, Mrs. Kudirat Adeleke, and 11 others, who are standing trial for alleged N5.6bn pension fraud.

Justice Bolaji Yusuf, who gave the ruling during the Tuesday sitting in Ibadan, said counsel for the 12 accused persons could not convince the court to rule in their clients’ favour.

The accused Adeleke, Muili Aderemi, Iyabo Giwa, Adesina Ayoade, Oguntayo Banji, Adebiyi Olasunmbo, Muili Adedamola, Adeduntan Johnson, Johnson Bosede, Kareem Rasheed, Olujimi Adebayo and Adewale Kehinde are all standing trial for the embezzlement of pension fund totalling N5.6bn, which belongs to teachers in the state.

Comedian makes documentary about his small penis

Patrick Moote (center) asks the world, "Does size matter?" in his new documentary, "UnHung Hero."

Patrick Moote’s penis is so small, his girlfriend turned down his marriage proposal. Patrick Moote’s penis is so small, he traveled around the world looking for enlargement solutions. Patrick Moote’s penis is so small, he made a movie about it.

Photo of the day: Saint Obi heads to the jungle for war

Saint Obi

Fears in Plateau State as gunmen kill 40 again

Jang

Barely 24 hours after the confused governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang raised the alarm that there was a grand plot to attack and kill innocent civilians in his troubled state, tragedy finally struck. 

In fact, no fewer than 40 people were killed in the early hours of Tuesday in Barakin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State when gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen invaded three communities in the council.

Police, however, said only 20 people were killed. The incident came less than 72 hours after five people were similarly murdered in Kukah in Shendam Local Government Area of the once peaceful state.

Minister of Sports, Abdullahi insists Keshi must lead Super Eagles to Brazil 2014 World Cup

Keshi

This piece of news is indeed a cheering one for the teeming fans of Super Eagles head coach and two-time Nations Cup hero, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi. The Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi recently reaffirmed federal government's position that Keshi will lead Nigeria to Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.
In the exact words of the Minister, while speaking in Lafia, Nasarawa State during a recent courtesy call on the governor of the state, Tanko Al Makura ahead of the launch of Rhythm and Play, a youth sports development programme, he said:
"Nobody is considering the issue of a foreign coach...all we are planning to do is sit down and draw a plan and programme that can see us through the world cup. What I can tell you is that Keshi is going to the world cup."

EFCC says $129 Billion fraudulently transferred out of Nigeria in 10 years

Lamorde

When will corruption and massive looting end in Nigeria? The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently disclosed that about $129 billion (N20.6 trillion) was fraudulently transferred out of Nigeria in the last ten years. Quite shocking. The Ibrahim Lamorde-led commission while quoting the Global Financial Integrity, based in Washington DC, cited some of the sources to include tax avoidance, corruption, tax evasions, illegal mining activities, drugs and human trafficking.

Tension over arrest of ex militant, Asari Dokubo in Cotonou

Asari

Palpable tension currently pervades the air over the recent arrest of ex warlord and Niger Delta militant Mujahid Asari Dokubo on Tuesday in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
SHOWBIZPLUS gathered that the ex freedom fighter was picked up in the afternoon by heavily armed policemen from Benin Republic and whisked away to an unknown destination.
A statement from his lawyer, Festus Keyamo confirmed the arrest. It further disclosed that Dokubo was picked up around Lubeleyi roundabout and immediately taken to an unknown destination.
"Today, Tuesday, November 26, 2013, my friend and client Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, around the hours of 1.p.m. and 2.p.m., by the country's gendarmes (police)," parts of the statement read.

Metro Park serenades with Crystal Lounge

Adegbayi

Celebrity hangout, Metro Park on Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA has re-launched with a state-of-the art club and hangout called 'Crystal Lounge.
The new lounge, recently opened with a three-day special events starting from today, Wednesday, November 27 through  Saturday, November 30. In the words of the initiators, it is a refreshing and unique concept different from the regular clubbing experience in Lagos. 

Ex Deputy Speaker, Chibudom Nwuche opens up on how Gov. Amaechi betrayed him plus why they are fighting

Nwuche

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche is currently locked in a fierce battle with the embattled governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi.
Nwuche in a recent chat alleged that Amaechi deliberately denied him victory at the 2011 senatorial primaries, thus denying him the opportunity of representing his people at the senate. He disclosed that Amaechi began fighting him based on his insistence on transparent governance and accountability in the state.
"Before I began my campaign, I went to my governor and told him that I want to contest for the senate. He asked if I have the resources to run against an incumbent. I told him that all I desire from him was the promise that we would not interfere in the process. He gave me his word... Unknown to me the governor never meant his promise... I was surprised when another person was declared the winner of the primaries the next day..."  He described what Amaechi did to him as a big dishonour and  betrayal.

Atiku Abubakar still grooving at 67

Atiku

It is no longer news that Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar clocked 67 years on earth recently. What many, especially his well wishers are oblivious of is the fact that the Turaki Adamawa and leader of PDM is quietly still celebrating his new age with close pals, family members, trusted associates and aides.

N1.3 billion lawsuit: COSON intensifies copyright war with Izamoje, Brila FM

The copyright war involving COSON and Dr. Larry Izamoje, Chairman, Brila Broadcasting Services has taken a new dimension.

In fact, just a few days ago, the latter published a press release where he announced the filing of an action in court against Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) for defamation. The purported defamation according to Izamoje was contained in a press release issued by COSON announcing the 1.3 Billion Naira copyright infringement suit it filed against Brila Broadcasting Services and Larry Izamoje.

The action by Izamoje may have backfired because less than forty eight hours after Izamoje’s announcement, renowned COSON lawyer, Mr. Justin Ige wrote to Dr. Izamoje giving him five days to retract part of the statement published by him or face fresh legal action. The following is the text of Mr. Ige’s letter to Larry Izamoje:

‘We refer to the press release issued by you with the above caption, published on your website, www.brilafm.net and several other websites wherein you made statements to the effect that our Client arbitrarily and unilaterally imposes royalty fees on broadcast stations.

Aftermath of merger with APC: "Start writing your handover notes" nPDP tells Jonathan

Baraje and Tukur

Late this morning, at about 11:46, the National Chairman of the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, formally announced the merger of the party with the All Progressives Congress (APC). The merger was contained in a communiqué which Alhaji Baraje read to journalists at the end of a meeting between the leadership of New PDP and that of the APC held at the Kano Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. The communiqué signed by Bisi Akande the APC National Chairman and Kawu Abubakar Baraje the National Chairman of NPDP reads,