Entertainment
Boat driver transporting late Junior Pope, other actors not certified- NSIB
By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has released a preliminary report on the boat accident involving Nollywood actors in Anambra, revealing that the boat driver was not certified.
The NSIB revealed this on Friday during a press briefing coinciding with the release of four other final and preliminary reports by the agency.
The Director General, NSIB, Alex Badeh, presented two final reports on aviation incidents, one preliminary report on an aviation incident, and a preliminary report on a marine accident, accompanied by 20 safety recommendations.
The boat was carrying 12 actors and crew members when it crashed, resulting in the loss of five passengers, including popular Nollywood actor Mr. Paul Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope.
The Director of Transport Investigation, who presented the preliminary report and other findings during the briefing, stated that the speedboat capsized, throwing all occupants into the Anam River. According to him, five passengers were fatally injured, and seven were rescued alive.
The NSIB was not officially notified but learned about the accident through social media. Investigators from NSIB’s Enugu Regional office were dispatched to the accident site on April 12, 2024.
According to the agency, initial findings revealed that the boat driver was not certified, the fibre boat was not registered with the National Inland Waterways Authority, and the outboard engine fibre boat was carrying 12 passengers and one boat driver.
The director said, “There was only one person on the wooden fishing canoe. This rowdiness in the boat distracted the driver and he was not looking out as required.
“The boat was on high speed and the crossing canoe was moving at a much slower speed.
“The only occupant of the canoe, on sighting the fast approaching boat jumped into the river and escaped; The boat collided with the canoe at a high speed which resulted in the boat capsizing and all persons onboard were flung into Anam River.”
The report indicated that although five passengers aboard the boat sustained fatal injuries, the driver and seven other passengers survived the collision.
“Only one passenger on the outboard engine fibre boat was wearing a life jacket. The only passenger wearing a life jacket came with it and was not provided by the operator.
“The passenger wearing the life jacket was one of the survivors. The boat was fitted with an outboard engine. There was no manifest of passengers and persons onboard the boat. The rescue operation was not timely and there were no trained divers around to assist in the operation.”
In its safety recommendations, the bureau urged the National Inland Waterways Authority to ensure that all boats involved in commercial activities within the national inland waterways are registered, adding the authority must ensure adequate safety measures are implemented and enforced in our inland waterways.
Junior Pope died after their boat capsized in the Anam River in Anambra state on April 10, 2024.
By Francesca Hangeior
Singer Peter Okoye, one half of the now-defunct music duo P-Square, has openly criticised his family after testifying against his elder brother, Jude Okoye, who is currently facing money laundering charges.
Jude and Northside Music Limited are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of laundering N1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.
In a post shared via his Instagram story on Tuesday, Peter said he prioritises his mental health above all else, questioning the real meaning of family.
He insisted that true family bonds should be rooted in love, loyalty, and trust—not manipulation, betrayal, or theft.
Peter described toxic family dynamics as exhausting and disgraceful, declaring that he would no longer sacrifice his peace of mind for anyone.
He wrote: “Don’t let ‘family’ be the reason you’re drowning in silence. I did – for over 20 years plus. And it almost cost me everything,” the 43-year-old wrote.
“But now I know better – love doesn’t manipulate, loyalty doesn’t betray and family does not steal from you. Family that steals and breaks you isn’t family at all.
“Real family doesn’t drain you, shame you, discriminate against you or ignore your pain. My sanity matters. My mental health is a priority. If it costs my mental health, then it’s too expensive”.
By Francesca Hangeior
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has struck out the preliminary objection in the defamation suit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, (SAN), and his son, popular musician Folarin Falana, also known as Falz, against social media personality Vincent Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan.
Justice Mathias Dawoodu struck out the suit following his discovery that the substantive suit was already before another court, rendering further proceedings before him unnecessary.
Neither the Falanas nor Otse was present at the hearing. However, counsel to the defendant, N.O. Alagbe, appearing on behalf of lead counsel Marvin Omorogbe, informed the court that an application dated April 11, 2025, and filed on April 14, 2025, had been brought to stay proceedings, pending judgment by Justice Azeez in a parallel matter.
Justice Dawoodu responded that the said application was not before his court and questioned why he was being troubled with the matter when the substantive suit was already before another court.
Counsel to the Falanas, Omotayo Olatunbosun, told the court that although he received the application at 4:15 pm late on Monday afternoon, the preliminary objection was properly scheduled and ready for hearing.
He accused the defence of attempting to stall the case and cited a Supreme Court decision which held that courts are not bound to act on applications not yet in their files.
He therefore urged the judge to proceed with the business of the day.
After listening to the submissions of counsel, Justice Dawoodu ruled that after considering the matter at hand, the new application filed by defence but not in his file does not warrant going ahead with the suit.
“Consequently, this suit is hereby struck out,” the judge held.
The Falanas had filed the N1bn defamation suit against Otse, demanding N500m each in damages over a video posted on his social media platforms.
In the video, Otse allegedly claimed that Femi Falana demanded N10m, from controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to pervert the course of justice.
By Francesca Hangeior
Controversial singer, Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been granted bail in the sum of ₦1 million by an Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State.
This followed his arraignment on charges including criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking.
The court also ruled that his bail is conditional upon the provision of two sureties in like sum.
One of which must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, while the other must possess a landed property within a Government Reserved Area, backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
More details to follow.
-
News14 hours agoBREAKING: Unknown gunmen reportedly storm Senator Natasha’s family residence
-
News17 hours agoSnub story on removal of Rivers Sole Administrator, it’s FAKE-Chief Registrar
-
News23 hours ago“How my father escaped assassination” – Bishop Oyedepo’s daughter
-
News23 hours agoFG expresses sympathy for CBEX victims, urges a united effort to combat Ponzi schemes
-
News16 hours agoSAD! Again, Alleged Herdsmen Attack Three Benue Communities
-
News9 hours agoAbuja light rail project must be commissioned on May 29-Wike vows
-
Politics16 hours agoPDP govs are jokers, can’t stop coalition train, Atiku boasts
-
News14 hours agoLawmaker Slams NBA Over Rivers Crisis, Demands Return of N300m