Jonathan’s lawyer says ex-president should be paid $2.7m to testify at Metuh’s trial

Published

7 years ago

October 31, 2017

Nigeria’s former president Goodluck Jonathan should be given the equivalent of $2.7 million to testify at the corruption trial of his party’s former spokesman, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

The money would cover costs to enable him to attend the case, Mike Ozekhome told reporters outside the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Olisa Metuh is accused of fraudulently receiving 400 million naira ($1.1 million, 945,000 euros) from Jonathan’s former national security advisor, Sambo Dasuki.

The money was allegedly diverted from funds meant to procure weapons and equipment for the fight against Boko Haram and was used to fund Jonathan’s failed re-election bid in 2015.

Both Metuh, a former communications chief for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Dasuki, who is being tried separately, have said Jonathan was aware of the payments.

Lawyers for Metuh have summonsed both Jonathan and Dasuki to give evidence. But both failed to appear in court last week.

Ozekhome on Tuesday said Jonathan was “not the proper person to testify in these proceedings at all”.

But he said if the judge maintained he should testify, the court “should order Olisa Metuh… to deposit the sum of one billion naira” to cover Jonathan’s travel costs.

The money would also cover “logistics and the security personnel that will have to accompany him” from his home in Otuoke, in southern Nigeria, to the capital, added Ozekhome.

Otuoke, in oil-rich Bayelsa state, is some 680 kilometres (422 miles) by road from Abuja, where Jonathan is known to own property.

Jonathan was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari at elections that year.

Buhari has since embarked on an anti-corruption drive to root out endemic graft in government and public service.

Critics have accused him of a political witch-hunt as only members of the PDP and Jonathan’s administration have been arrested and charged.

Jonathan’s name has cropped up in a number of investigations and several members of his family and close allies have been taken to court.

But he is not thought to have been formally questioned.

Guardian

Related Topics:Goodluck Jonathan Olisa Metuh

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Police Arrest Portable Over G-Wagon Debt

Published

5 hours ago

May 15, 2024

Reporter

Police Arrest Portable Over G-Wagon Debt | fab.ng

Popular Nigerian musician Portable is facing legal trouble over an unpaid debt. The singer is known for his sometimes controversial persona. The drama centres around a high-end purchase: a G-Wagon he bought from a car dealer.

According to news reports, Portable purchased the luxury car for a hefty ₦27 million but only paid ₦13 million upfront. This left a remaining balance of ₦14 million. The car dealer reportedly tried contacting Portable to collect the remaining sum. The musician allegedly kept claiming the vehicle had mechanical problems as a way to avoid paying. Unwilling to accept these excuses any longer, the car dealer decided to take a firmer stance and report the matter to the authorities.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, the Lagos State Police confirmed Portable’s arrest. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin stated that the musician was arrested specifically for defaulting on his G-Wagon payment.

“Yes, Portable has been arrested. He bought G-Wagon for ₦27m, paid ₦13m, and refused to pay the rest, claiming the vehicle was bad. We arrested him today,” Hundeyin confirmed.

This incident adds another chapter to Portable’s already colourful public image. It remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved and whether it will impact his musical career.

Check out more details here.

MUSIC

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Beats Drake’s “Family Matters” To Billboard #1 Spot

Published

1 day ago

May 14, 2024

Reporter

"Not Like Us" beats "Family Matters" To Billboard #1 Spot | fab.ng

Kendrick Lamar‘s latest diss track, “Not Like Us,” has landed the coveted number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This marks Kendrick’s second chart-topping single in 2024, following the success of “Like That” by Metro Booming & Future.

“Not Like Us” is the final chapter in Kendrick’s rap battle with Drake, and many fans believe it solidified his victory. This track, which Mustard produced, completely outshines Drake’s response song, “Family Matters.” “Family Matters” debuted at a much lower number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Billboard Hot 100: #1(new) Not Like Us, @kendricklamar.

— chart data (@chartdata) May 13, 2024

Here’s where things get interesting:

Kendrick’s entire diss track trilogy dominated the top 10. “Euphoria” climbed eight spots to number 3, and “Like That” (by Metro Booming & Future) rose two places to number 2.

“Not Like Us” also shattered records on its path to the top. It became the most-streamed rap song on Spotify in the US in a single day, and it nearly broke Drake’s global single-day record for a rap song on Spotify (held by “Girls Want Girls” featuring Lil Baby).

Sales-wise, “Not Like Us” boasted the biggest debut week for any song in 2024, with 510,000 units sold. It fell short only to Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight,” which debuted with 560,000 units.

Biggest song debut sales weeks of 2024 so far (US units):

#1 Fortnight 560K
#2 Not Like Us 510K
#3 Like That 455K
#4 Down Bad 385K
#5 I Can Do It With A Broken Heart 340K
#6 The Tortured Poets Department 340K
#7 So Long, London 335K
#8 My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys 325K…

— chart data (@chartdata) May 13, 2024

This chart dominance by Kendrick Lamar’s diss tracks proves that the music, not just the feud, resonated with listeners. “Not Like Us” not only secured the number one spot but also propelled his other diss tracks up the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying his success in this musical battle.

MUSIC

BNXN Bags His First RIAA Certification With “Mood”

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2024

Reporter

BNXN Bags His First RIAA Certification With "Mood" | Fab.ng

Nigerian music star BNXN (formerly Buju) is on a roll with the hit song “Mood.” It just hit a major milestone in the US music industry.

Remember “Mood”? “Mood” the catchy track BNXN collaborated on with Wizkid for his critically acclaimed album “Made In Lagos (Deluxe Edition).” Well, “Mood” has just been certified gold by the RIAA!

This might sound complex, but here’s the scoop:

The Gold Standard

The RIAA, or Recording Industry Association of America, is a big deal in the US music world. When a song or album earns a Gold or Platinum record from the RIAA, it means it’s achieved super impressive sales or streams. Basically, “Mood” is a bona fide hit in the US!

Reaching Gold Status

So how does a song reach Gold status? The RIAA counts one “unit sale” as a physical album purchase, a download of the song itself (although 10 downloads equal one unit sale), or 1,500 streams on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. According to the RIAA, “Mood” has officially surpassed 500,000 unit sales, making it Gold certified!

🚨Wizkid’s “Mood” featuring Bnxn is now RIAA certified gold 🌟 📀 pic.twitter.com/FSYg7dPo68

— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) May 9, 2024

Benefits of Certification

Earning RIAA certification is a huge accomplishment for musicians. It can open doors to exciting opportunities, like:

- Live Shows: More performance opportunities in the US, like invitations to festivals, tours, or even headlining shows.
- Record Deals: Record labels love RIAA certifications, and this could lead to lucrative deals that provide BNXN with resources and support to further his career.
- Endorsements: Increased popularity can attract brand endorsements, generating additional income and expanding BNXN’s reach.
- Greater Recognition: The RIAA certification basically says American audiences love BNXN’s music! This can significantly boost his overall popularity and career trajectory in the US.

This gold certification is a win for both BNXN and Wizkid. It shows their music resonates with listeners worldwide. This milestone is a stepping stone for BNXN’s continued success in the US, and fans can definitely expect more fantastic music from him in the future.

For more music updates, check here.