Entertainment
TikTok star, JinnKid Convicted for murdering his wife and ‘her lover’
A former TikTok star has been convicted for the murders of his estranged wife and her lover in San Diego in 2021.
San Diego-based Tik Toker Ali Abulaban, 32, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for his wife Ana, 28, and her male friend Rayburn Barron, 29, on Wednesday, May 29, People reports.
In court, Abulaban, who had nearly a million followers for his skits under the moniker Jinnkid, broke down in tears as he learned the jury’s verdict.
He confessed to the murders during the trial and has been in prison since the October 2021 killings. He will be sentenced on June 28 and could face life in jail.
“Finally, my brother and Ana got a little bit of justice,” Barron’s sister, Jordana Barron, said on Wednesday.
“Obviously nothing is going to bring our brother or Ana back, but at least he is never going to be able to do this to another person again.”
On Friday, closing arguments in the case concluded and the jury began its deliberations, deciding whether the killings were first- or second-degree murder.
Abulaban was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with allegations of using a gun in the killings.
He was also charged with a special circumstance allegation of committing multiple murders.
The defence had hoped the jury would find him guilty of second-degree murder, meaning his sentencing would be far less.
He was instead found guilty of all counts and special circumstances.
It’s a relief. We’ve been waiting almost three years for this,” said Julia Stuntz, Ana’s best friend.
Since there was no dispute he killed the victims, jurors were instead tasked with deciding whether the killings were intentional and premeditated or committed in the heat of passion, as Abulaban had claimed.
“The jury came in and listened to the evidence for weeks, and they came to the right decision,” Deputy District Attorney Taren Brast said.
In her closing arguments, Brast went through a timeline of the day Abulaban killed Ana Abulaban and her friend Barron.
Brast described how Abulaban had spied on Ana to catch her with another man, and that he had malice and intent to shoot them to death on the couch in the apartment where he once lived.
“Heat of passion does not apply when you walk into an apartment that you had bugged, with a key card you were not supposed to have, to a fight that no one else knew was happening but you,” Brast said.
“And you brought a gun.
“That is not heat of passion.”
Brast said Abulaban had plenty of time to rethink his decision to drive to the downtown luxury condo he shared with his wife to shoot and kill her and the man she was seeing.
The prosecutor displayed the graphic photos Abulaban took of the bodies, played the sounds of the gunshot recordings he had on his phone and even mentioned the online searches for how to cut up and trash a body, among other things.
She said Ali Abulaban killed the couple because he felt disrespected, and this was planned and premeditated, not a reaction in the heat of the moment.
Brast also mentioned the history of domestic violence and Ana’s text messages to Abulaban expressing her fear and desire to leave the marriage.
She also outlined the chances Abulaban had to rethink his actions, including during the drive to the apartment to confront Ana and Barron, and even in the ride up in the elevator.
“It was wilful, deliberate, and premeditated,” Brast said.
Jodi Green, Ali Abulaban’s defence attorney, then presented her closing arguments.
Green told the court her client shouldn’t be convicted of murder because he had a bad childhood, mental health issues and was high on cocaine.
The defence attorney also pointed out the fact that Ali Abulaban was re-racking his gun in between shots, which is unnecessary, and that it proves he was out of his mind, as well that he had cocaine in his system eight hours later, proving he was not of sound mind.
“Ali Abulaban is not a murderer,” Green said.
“Yes, he killed Ana, the woman he loved, the mother of his beautiful daughter, Amira, and he killed Ray, a man with whom Ana was having an affair.
“And he cannot undo what he has done.
“But he did not murder them. He is not a murderer.”
Monalisa Stephen, a popular Nollywood actress and media personality is dead.
She died after a brief illness.
The Chief Executive Officer of Best of Nollywood (BON) Seun Oloketuyi, via his Instagram on Wednesday announced the sad news, disclosing that the controversial actress died yesterday, May 13th after battling low blood sugar and internal bleeding.
He added that the deceased actress’ sister confirmed her passing. Sharing the photo, he wrote: “Brand influencer Monalisa Ayobami Stephen is dead,she died yesterday in Lagos after losing the fight against Low sugar and internal bleeding, Her immediate younger sister confirmed the death of this hardworking and beautiful soul.”
More details shortly…
Nigerian actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has been named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “Most Influential Women in International Film,” a prestigious global list celebrating 46 visionary women making a significant impact on the international film industry.
Reacting to the recognition, Akindele took to her Instagram page on Friday to express her excitement and gratitude for the honour.
She described the moment as not just a personal celebration but a motivation to continue creating and uplifting others in the film industry.
“I’m deeply honoured and truly grateful to be featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘The Most Influential Women in International Film. To be recognised among 46 powerful, visionary women from around the world is more than a moment of celebration—it’s a call to keep building, creating boldly, and lifting others as we rise,” she wrote.
The announcement, which was made on Friday, May 9 marks a significant milestone for Akindele, who has carved a niche for herself in Nollywood with her record-breaking films such as Omo Ghetto: The Saga and A Tribe Called Judah, as well as her contributions to television through the hit series Jenifa’s Diary.
Her consistent success has cemented her as one of the most bankable and influential figures in the Nigerian entertainment scene.
Akindele also used the opportunity to celebrate fellow Nigerian media mogul and honoree, Mo Abudu, describing her as a source of inspiration and a major contributor to the growth of the creative industry in Nigeria and Africa.
“A heartfelt congratulations to Aunty MO @moabudu who has also been featured in this great piece. Thank you so much, Ma, for your invaluable contribution to the creative industry. It’s an honor to be featured alongside someone who has been such a powerful source of inspiration,” Akindele added.
Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe, has taken home the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ award at the 11th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), earning acclaim for her powerful role in Farmer’s Bride.
The win is a career milestone for Aigbe, who triumphed over a star-studded lineup that included Meg Otanwa (Inside Life), Tina Mba (Suspicion), Ireti Doyle (All’s Fair in Love), Ini Dima-Okojie (Skeleton Coast), Omoni Oboli (Wives on Strike 3), and Darasimi Nadi (Aburo).
Akelicious reports that the event kicked off on Friday with the Cultural Day event, marking the official beginning of the series of activities preceding the Award Night which is held on Saturday (today).
Attendees similarly graced the event with their exquisite traditional attire, presenting a captivating blend of African heritage and the glamour of the film awards.
The AMVCA is an annual award presented by Multichoice to recognise outstanding achievements in television, film, entertainment, and digital content creation throughout Nollywood and the entire African continent.
The award ceremony is held in Lagos, Nigeria, and broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels and the awards will be determined by a combination of public voting and a panel of judges.
The nominations, covering film, television, and digital content, recognise works released between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
Among the top contenders, Lisabi: The Uprising, Skeleton Coast, House of Ga’a, and Freedom Way secured multiple nominations across various categories, including Best Movie and Best Director.
In the acting categories, Gideon Okeke (Tokunbo), Stan Nze (Suspicion), Femi Adebayo (Seven Doors), and Adedimeji Lateef (Lisabi: The Uprising) were nominated for Best Lead Actor, while Chioma Chukwuka (Seven Doors), Bimbo Ademoye (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre), and Uche Montana (Thinline) are among those vying for Best Lead Actress.
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