WAP REPORTER’S ROUND-UP
A lot of news made waves in the month of April. However, some news caused more buzz on the Internet than others.
On WAP Reporter’s Round-Up, Ezinwanne Onwuka takes a look at news stories that caused quite a stir on the Internet in the last month, which you might have missed.
Osinachi Nwachukwu’s Death
Popular gospel artiste, Osinachi Nwachukwu breathed her last on Friday, April 8 at the age of 42.
The gospel singer shot into the limelight with the hit gospel song, “Ekwueme”, which she did with Prospa Ochimana. She was a lead singer at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre.
Initial reports about her death revealed she succumbed to throat cancer.
However, hours after the news of her death hit the Internet, friends of the late gospel singer alleged that she died as a result of the incessant domestic violence she suffered from her husband and not throat cancer as widely claimed.
A few gospel singers who worked with Nwachukwu also accused her husband of domestic violence. Osinachi’s family also claimed she was a victim of domestic violence.
Following the incessant reports of abuse, the Police, FCT Command, arrested the husband of the late gospel singer, Mr Peter Nwachukwu after the brother of the deceased reported the case.
Peter, however, has denied the allegations of battery, assault and other domestic violence levied against him by family members and close associates of the popular artiste. According to him, his late wife had been ill since November last year and he has been moving her from one hospital to another in a bid to get her treated.
He said he first took her to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Abuja then to Gwagwalada General hospital, and then to the National Hospital, where she finally died.
Reacting to the death of his lead singer, the founder and senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Pastor Paul Enenche, said he was not aware that the deceased was a victim of domestic violence.
The pastor, who is also a medical doctor, disclosed that the singer came to his office in the company of her husband, Peter, some two and a half or three months ago and complained of health issues.
He said he prayed for her but when her condition did not improve, he counselled and advised them to go to the hospital for medical attention, adding that he assisted them with contacts of top medical practitioners who helped with the case.
Enenche said he was in Cameroon when he heard of the death of the singer, and that he only got to know that Osinachi was a victim of domestic violence after her death.
Meanwhile, the family of late Osinachi revealed that their son-in-law, Peter was married to another woman before asking for late Osinachi’s hands in marriage but kept his marital status secret, adding that his first marriage eventually went sour at some point but not before the woman bore a child for him.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has vowed to get justice for the late popular gospel artiste.
Osibanjo Declares For Presidency
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo finally declared to run for president on Monday, April 11, ending months of speculations and tepid denials.
He made his intention to succeed his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, whose tenure ends in 13 months’ time known in a short broadcast shared via his Twitter handle in the early hours of Monday, after he had informed APC governors of his succession plan at a dinner he hosted at the Presidential Villa for the breaking of the Ramadan fast (Iftar) on Sunday, April 10.
On why he is the best man for the job, he said he has, in the past seven years as vice president, “traversed every part of our country, meeting Nigerians of every cadre, class, tribe and walks of life, both young and old…”
Osinbajo said being Nigeria’s VP since 2015 has afforded him the opportunities to understand the “diverse experiences and yearnings” of Nigerians.
He added that himself and Buhari spent the last seven years working through some of the most difficult times in the history of the country, focusing on securing the country, providing infrastructure and growing its economy.
His declaration, however, caused controversy on social media. While many people pitched their tent with him, others saw his intention to join the race as a betrayal to his boss and another contender of the presidential seat, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The VP will be squaring up against APC bigwigs including his political benefactor and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, transportation minister, Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha and governors of Kogi and Ebonyi states, Yahaya Bello and Dave Umahi respectively.
FG Pardons Convicted Criminals
President Muhammadu Buhari, on the advice of the Council of States, pardoned 159 political criminals including ex-Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau and former Governor Jolly Nyame of Taraba State on Thursday, April 14.
Dariye and Nyame were serving jail terms after they were convicted of stealing billions of naira of public funds while they were governors by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2018.
Dariye, who was governor from 1999 to 2007, was jailed for laundering public funds to the tune of N1.162bn and was sentenced to 14 years in prison by Justice Banjoko who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal.
His prison term was later reduced to 10 years by the Court of Appeal in Abuja while his conviction was affirmed by the Supreme Court.
On the other hand, Jolly Nyame, who was governor of Taraba State from 1999 to 2007, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for stealing N1.6bn from the state’s treasury, a judgment which was also upheld by the Supreme Court.
The pardon granted the two men was condemned by many Nigerians who opine that the action does not tally with the present government’s anti-corruption war and would demotivate and kill the morale of the antigraft workers.
Despite the public outcry, the presidency on Wednesday, April 20 defended the pardon granted to the two former state governors.
In a statement released to justify the pardon of 159 out of 162 convicts, including Darime and Nyame on Wednesday, April 20, President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said Buhari pardoned the former governors on the ground of ill health after a review of their conditions.
According to the statement, the pardon of the ex-governors and 157 others, “was a culmination of a rigorous process, regulated and guided by the law which was not, in any way designed to achieve a political purpose.”
Chrisland, Parent Tango Over ‘Abused’ Pupil
Social media went haywire on Sunday, April 17 when the video of an unidentified 10-year-old female student of Chrisland Schools, Lagos being ‘raped’ went viral on various social media sites.
The disturbing leaked tape was widely shared on social media shortly after Ubi Franklin, a music entrepreneur broke the news on his Twitter page, reporting that a 10-year-old student was raped by her co students when the school went to Dubai to participate in the World School Games held between March 10 and 13, 2022.
The video of the incident triggered a flurry of comments. While many apportioned the blame to the parents, others blamed the school.
Afterwards, it was gathered that the school authorities suspended the female pupil after accusing her of taking part in a truth or dare game that led to an ‘improper behavior’ during the school competition trip in Dubai.
Reacting to the school’s report and the suspension of her daughter, the student’s mother, however, claimed her daughter was taken advantage of by some male students of the school in a room.
Crying out to the public for help, she disclosed that her daughter said the immoral act happened under the influence of drugs.
She added that her daughter was suspended after she confronted the school authorities.
As a result of the controversies and outrage that followed the viral sex tape of the minors, the Lagos State government shut down all branches of Chrisland Schools in various parts of the state, and warned the public to desist from redistributing and reproducing pornographic materials of children, noting that anyone caught risks 14 years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, April 23, the Lagos State Government made a U-turn, and directed the reopening of all Chrisland Schools in the State.
According to the statement released by the state’s Commissioner of Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, the reopening was to ensure that other students were not denied access to learning when a new term begins on Monday, April 25 while an investigation into the issue continued.
Rita Dominic’s Traditional Wedding
Rita Dominic (46) tied the knot traditionally with Fidelis Anosike (56) on Tuesday, April 19 in her hometown, Aboh, Mbaise, in Imo State.
The star-studded ceremony had the likes of Chidi Mokeme, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Chioma Akpotha, Joke Silva, Hilda Dokubo, Ini Edo, Ebube Nwagbo, Eve Esin, Uche Jombo, Tana Adelana, John Okafor, Uche Elendu, Lilian Afegbai, Onyi Alex, celebrity stylist, Medlin Boss, reality stars, Beverly Osu, Ike Onyema, Uti Nwachukwu and Mercy Eke, ace comedians, Julius Agwu, Bovi and a host of others in attendance.
Attendees adorned different glamorous styles in green and a touch of gold, which were the colours of the day.
On her part, the bride looked stunning in her traditional wedding attires. In her first appearance, she wore a light blue and gold attire with beads to match her outfit. In her second appearance, her fuchsia pink outfit bespoke class and elegance.
Dominic’s friends were all over her during the ceremony, as they sang, danced and cheered her on as she went to meet her husband. The groom was also excited as he danced and responded to hailing from his friends.
Spraying of money was a notable activity at the event, as several of the couple’s guests ‘made it rain cash’.
Snippets from the ceremony, which looked like a huge Nollywood reunion party, were scattered all over social media as fans and well-wishers couldn’t hide their excitement.
Yul Edochie Unveils New Wife And Child
Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, took many by surprise after sharing a piece of good news on his official Instagram page on Wednesday, April 27.
The presidential aspirant announced that he has a son with his colleague, Judy Austin, who he also described as his second wife.
According to the actor, it was time for the world to finally meet the little man whom he identified as Star Dike Munachimso Yul-Edochie.
Sharing photos of himself and his baby boy alongside maternity photos of Judy, the father of four wrote:
“It’s time for the world to meet my son. His name is STAR DIKE MUNACHIMSO YUL-EDOCHIE. Born by my second wife @judyaustin1. And I love him so much, just as much as I love my other children.”
His announcement generated flurry of comments from netizens.
Some dropped congratulatory messages for the proud father. Others dropped unpleasant comments.
Reacting to the announcement, his wife of 17 years, May Edochie took to the comment section of the Instagram post and wrote, “May God judge you both.”
Yul’s family has denied giving their consent to the new marriage.
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