Charly Boy slams N1b lawsuit against National Mirror

Charly Boy caused quite a stir at Lagos Island yesterday, Tuesday, June 18, 2012 when he walked into the Lagos High Court and filed a lawsuit of N1b against the National Mirror newspaper.

According to Charly Boy, he is suing the daily newspaper because it published a story claiming he said in an interview that he was gay and a member of the Illumminati. The case was filed in by Charly Boy’s lawyer and representative Ope Banwo.

The ‘Area Father’ who was followed and surrounded by bike riders then held a press conference a few blocks away.

‘If any publication calls Charly Boy gay, I think it’s a fair comment. He’s in the public domain, people will always speculate. But it’s wrong to out rightly report that in an interview he actually said so. That’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed’, Charly Boy’s counsel Ope Banwo explained.

Banwo explained that he had written to the daily newspaper demanding for an apology to be published in four different dailies but received no response from them.

‘It is unfortunate this is happening to me. You all know me, I’m never bothered about any of this news but I’m shocked of this timid, Mongo-parkish way of thinking. I have put tenacity, focus and hardwork in the 35 years of building this brand. I think I deserve more’, Charly Boy told said.

‘You can’t appreciate the brand if you can’t look past the antics of the brand. You have to have depth. You can think and have your own opinion but as responsible journalists, we all should know there are rules of the game. I have nothing against people. I have gay people as friends, everybody is my friend as long as you are positive thinking’, he continued.

Last month, Charly Boy had threatened to sue the paper when he took to micro-blogging site Twitter to express his displeasure.

Banwo explained that the ‘false story’ had already begun tasking a devastating blow as companies working with Charly Boy were already considering dropping him from their brands. ‘The position at the MCSN (Music Copyright Society of Nigeria) is already being threatened’, Banwo disclosed.

Charly Boy is giving another publication Daily Independent who also published the story a week’s ultimatum to publish an apology.

This will be the second homosexuality lawsuit case in recent times after Asa’s N700m court case with News of The People weekly tabloid.

Praiz and Chidinma to feature in BET Spotlight finale

Praiz and Chidinma

Black Entertainment Television (BET) is set to end this season’s finale of the BET Spotlight series with the talented R&B singers Praiz and Chidinma.

The show which will air on Friday, June 22, 2012 will focus on the budding and buzzing careers of the soul singer, Praiz who recently released his two singles and follow up videos and is already considered as one of the most inspiring voices in Nigeria. Chidinma has also done pretty well for herself, stepping out of her Project Fame shadows and releasing appealing singles and hitting the pop market.

This BET Spotlight series which debuted on March 23, 2012 has featured a total of 26 Nigerian artistes including Ice Prince and M.I, Wizkid and P-Square, Retta and Tiwa Savage, Sauce Kid and Modenine, IllBliss and Naeto C, Muna and Eva, music producers Tha Suspect and Cobhams Asuquo, video directors, Jude Okoye and Clarence Peters and others.

‘I created the series because I wanted to showcase the amazing talent out of Nigeria while I was in Lagos shooting the cyphers for the BET Hip-Hop Awards last year. It made sense to meet and chat with some of the artists I thought were doing great things in the industry. It was never planned to be a show, just drops initially. When I got back and reviewed the footage, I strongly felt I had enough content to create an up close and personal series‘ Lilian Blankson, the producer of the series says.

‘It has been an amazing journey and I think it is befitting to feature Praiz and Chidinma, the future of Nigeria’s music industry, as our Season Finale episode in a show I have dubbed Rated Next – they are the ‘Next Great Thing’ to watch out for and I am sure everyone will experience this after they watch the show‘, she talks about the talented acts.

Praiz who is signed to X3M Music and Chidinma who’s on Capital-Goretti will be releasing their debut albums later in the year.

Allen Ukwuru wins first ever Mr Universe Nigeria pageant

Allen Ukwuru (middle)

Allen Ukwuru, a Lagos based model has emerged as the first ever winner of Mr Universe Nigeria pageant.

The 21-year-old representing Kogi State was announced as the winner of the pageant, which was held at Club Scintilla, Lagos, on Saturday, June 16, 2012.

As announced earlier judges of the night were Joan Okorodudu of Isis Models, Yomi Ononuga, photographer Emilio Cunt, Bunmi Ademokoya and former Mr Nigeria Bryan Okwara (who came quite late and left before the winner was announced). Popular blogger Linda Ikeji who was also announced as a judge was missing.

The show which was anchored by Channel O VJ Denrele Edun and assisted by Miss Lacasera 2010 winner Onyeka Udechukwu saw music performances from popular singer Flowssickk, Nigerian Idol 2012 contestant Byno and a host of upcoming acts.

The show featured a traditional, swimsuit and evening wear appearances and a dance choreography which got the ladies screaming and cheering.

The contestants were then streamlined to 12 before a final six were selected. Allen Ukwuru was then announced winner after the Q&A section was concluded.

Following closely were Mr Abuja and Mr Osun who came second and third respectively. Other winners included Mr Enugu, who won Mr Personality, Mr Rivers as Mr Photogenic, Mr Congeniality was given to Mr Kwara and the Best Traditional Costume was awarded to Mr Edo.

Mr Taraba was decorated as MUN North; Mr Osun was MUN South West. MUN South East was awarded to Mr Imo while Mr Cross River was announced MUN South South.

According to the organizers, Ukwuru will be representing Nigeria at the Best Model of the Universe in Spain later this year, and will serve as a spokesperson for the Society for Child Education and Empowerment.

Bobby Brown weds Alicia Etheredge

Bobby Brown, 43, married manager Alicia Etheredge on Sunday June 17th in Hawaii. Bobby and Alicia have a three-year-old son Cassius. Bobbi Kristina, Bobby's daughter with late ex-wife Whitney Houston, was not at the wedding.