‘Toni Payne NEVER cheated on me’ | 6 years later, 9ice defends ex-wife

Gongo aso singer, 9ice has come to the defence of his ex wife –Toni Payne , to state that cheating was not the reason for their failed marriage.

This comes days after Toni Payne was bashed on Twitter for defending Ice Prince’s decision to stand by his girlfriend, Maima Nkewa, after reports emerged that she was cheating on the Chocolate City rapper.

The singer, who recently mended fences with Payne released a statement to the press, where he said that the controversial song ‘Once Bitten Twice Shy’ (which many may have believed to be a diss track to Toni Payne) wasn’t about the mother of his child.

Read his statement below.

”It has come to my attention that yesterday some people were up to some mischief harassing Toni Payne regarding an evil rumor that was spread years ago. I would like to use this opportunity to state categorically that the song Once Bitten Twice shy was not and can never be about Toni Payne. I have NEVER accused her or told anybody that she cheated on me because she DID NOT. It did not happen and it was never an issue. Let me be very clear. Toni Payne NEVER cheated on me. Some marriages do not work for different reasons.

Unfortunately I released my album at a very delicate time in our relationship and a song from the album was taken the wrong way and things were blown out of proportion due to my silence.

I have apologized to her in person and she has accepted my apology. I have moved on to a fresh start and she has moved on too. I would appreciate if the general public do the same.

I would appreciate if people refrain from insulting her for something she is not guilty of.
Once again, the song Once Bitten Twice Shy was NEVER about TONI PAYNE. It was just a song. I wish I had come out sooner but I cannot change the past, I can only try and make amends for the future.

It is a new dawn for us all and I hope this closes the topic permanently. If it does not, maybe it is best I release a song clarifying this issue for the 100th time because what started all this was a song and all my effort to clear that air via interviews have been futile. I assure you, I will stop at nothing to make sure this evil rumor is put to sleep once and for all. Again It was never my intention to cause her pain. My apologies to everyone who was affected. God Bless.”

Tchidi Chikeres Ex-Wife, Sophia Engaged (Photos)

From all indications, it's obvious Tchidi Chikere's ex wife, Sophia is about to be married off again.

The light skinned actress and mother of Tchidi's three boys shared a photo recently talking about her newly done nails, but everyone can see what she's trying to show off.

The diva who has since moved on since the break-up, was stylishly displaying her engagement ring!

Sophia and movie producer Tchidi Chikere were married for a while and had three sons before he moved on to actress Nuella Njubigbo who he married in 2014 and welcomed a daughter with in 2015.

Ex-President Jonathan Won’t Be Spared If Found Guilty Of Corruption – Presidency

In the current war against corruption, President Muhammadu Buhari will not spare anyone who has a case to answer, even his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan would be prosecuted if proven corrupt, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adeshina said.

Speaking to Premium Times on Thursday, January 21 in Abuja, Mr Adeshina averred that President Buhari would not shield any corrupt person including ex-President Jonathan; if found guilty, he will be made to face justice.

“There is no accord,” he said, “if the corruption fight needs to get there (making Mr. Jonathan face justice), it will get there.”

Mr Adeshina also noted that the president did not sign any agreement with Mr Jonathan that the former president would not be prosecuted.

“There is no accord that if corruption is proven, it will not be tried. With this president, nobody will be protected. And I underscore it, if it needs to get anywhere, it will get there.”

Several top officials who served under Mr. Jonathan, as well as his political associates in the then ruling People’s Democratic Party, are currently being tried, or investigated by the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, for corruption.

Men Who Packaged Drugs As Condoms Arrested By NDLEA (Pictured)

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted a shipment of Tramadol disguised and packaged as condoms and other illicit drugs at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.

The two importers, who claimed to be pharmacists, are also being investigated in connection with the unlawful importation. Tramadol is a prescription drug belonging to the class of opioid. The total weight of the seized drug is 3,078.56kg.

A statement by the NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell, claimed that the drug was detected during a physical examination at the port by the officials of the agency and others.

The statement quoted the NDLEA Director of Operations and General Investigations, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo, as saying that prosecuting the suspects would address a lack of respect for due process by professionals.

Mabo said, “We have observed an infringement of laws with adverse consequences on the nation. The drugs were imported without permit by the relevant authorities. Prosecuting the suspects will serve as a warning to others. The case has been assigned to the Joint Task Force of the agency for investigation.”

NDLEA Commander at the Tin Can Port, Mr. Nse Inam, gave the names of the suspects as Onuchukwu Owulu (38) of Benow Pharmaceutical Impex Limited based in Lagos and Igboanugo Tochukwu (35) of Vingil Pharmaceuticals Limited, Asaba. According to Inam, the shipment of controlled drugs originated from India.

Owulu allegedly imported 107 cartons of Tramanow, a brand of Tramadol weighing 1,078.56kg while Tochukwu imported 250 cartons of Vingil Tramadol weighing 2,000kgs. Both suspects are being investigated.

Preliminary investigation by the NDLEA Joint Task Force headed by Mr. Olumuyiwa Adeniyi revealed that both pharmaceutical companies did not obtain import permit for the said drug which is contrary to section 11 subsection (a) of the NDLEA Act.

It was also gathered that the drugs were imported for illicit distribution as they were disguised in cartons of condoms and other illicit pharmaceutical products. The discovery of the drug was made during an examination of the container prior to delivery at their preferred destination outside the port. In addition, the companies could not produce either import or clearance permit for the said drugs.

Benjamin, in his statement, said he could not obtain an import permit because of the strike embarked upon by staff of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

He said in his statement, “I registered Benow Pharmaceuticals Impex Limited in 2009 and I started business in 2010 as a qualified pharmacist.

“I began the process of importing this consignment in September 2015 and the goods arrived on December 13, 2015 and my agent informed me of the challenge of obtaining a permit to import and clear the Tramanow.

“The strike by staff of NAFDAC made it difficult for me to secure the necessary permit. I witnessed the search of the container in the presence of NDLEA officers and other security agencies at the port.”

The second suspect, Vincent, also told narcotic investigators that he had not obtained permit to import the said drug.

“I am a qualified pharmacist practicing in Asaba. However, I have not obtained the import and clearance permit for this shipment,” he said.

Both suspects will soon be prosecuted, the statement added.

Punch

”Ojuelegba was stolen from me” | Blackface points accusing fingers at Wizkid

Veteran dancehall act and a former member of the defunct Afro-pop singing trio, Plantashun Boyz, Ahmedu Augustine, widely known as Blackface, has called on fellow musician, Wizkid, to “stop stealing” his songs.

Blackface who spoke exclusively to

Saturday Beats 

earlier in the week, said the young hip-hop artiste had been copying many of his songs for a long time but he decided to keep quiet just to let peace reign.

The Benue State-born raga performer however said he decided to speak out now because he could no 

longer sit and watch someone else take the glory for his efforts.

Blackface claimed that the highly successful Ojuelegba by the starboy was stolen from him as it sounds like a song off hisDancehall Business album released in 2010.

“If you check properly, you would realise that Wizkid’s hit, Ojuelegba, sounds exactly the same as the track 13 on my dancehall album released as far back as 2010. You need to listen to that album to know what I am talking about. The song is so similar that I think it shouldn’t be that way.” He told the newspaper.

He then added: “I never really wanted to talk about it all this while but after people started checking out my new song, Killa, many felt Blackface sounded like Wizkid, which I didn’t like.

When quizzed if he had confronted Wizkid on the issue he said he made attempts at reaching him which proved futile as the singer purportedly then went on to continue the trend.

The dancehall act said: “There was a time Wizkid followed me on twitter and I told him that I don’t want him taking my songs and that if he wants to do any of my rhythm, he should let me know. I told him that because I was just being a big brother to him. I told him that our songs can’t be sounding so similar and that if he wants anything, he should let me know. But after some time, he ‘unfollowed’ me and it was shortly after then that the Ojuelegba song was released. I don’t have any problem with Wizkid or any other person, all I am saying is that they shouldn’t be tampering with my songs because those are my properties.”

Lassa fever spreads in Lagos as 1 dies, 14 cases recorded [DETAILS]

Lassa fever, which broke out in Lagos state about a week ago, appears to be spreading with increased intensity.

Thus far, the state government has confirmed the death of one of the three confirmed cases of Lassa Fever.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said the deceased would be buried today, while adding that 14 suspected cases of Lassa Fever have been recorded as at January 21.

Idris said: “Three of the suspected cases were confirmed positive of Lasssa Fever. One case was confirmed on January 15 and two cases were confirmed on January 18. Eight suspected cases tested negative, while we are awaiting results for the remaining three suspected cases.”

“The dead victim will be buried today after due consultation with the family and the body has been kept in the morgue in leak proof body bag.” Giving breakdown of the Lassa Fever cases in Lagos, he said the first confirmed case was at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and listed the contact line as follows; Ifako Ijaiye; 100, Mushin; 18, Alimosho; 42 and Kosofe; one with a sub-total of 160.

The contacts being monitored are; Ifako Ijaiye- 91; Mushin – 18, Alimosho- 42; Kosofe- 1, with a sub-Total of 151. For case two at Mainland General Hospital, the contacts line listed is Eti-Osa- 66 and the contact line being monitored is at Eti-Osa- 66, with a sub- Total: 66.

“Case three, Mainland General Hospital, the contact line listed is at Amuwo: 220 and the contact being monitored is at Amuwo: 220, Sub-Total: 220. The total figure for both contacts line listed is 447 and contacts being monitored is put at 438.”

Photos from Celine Dion’s Husband’s Burial +Son’s Tribute

Legendary singer, Céline Dion and her family have honored her husband, René Angélil, in a traditional Catholic funeral Mass Friday, at Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica. The burial was attended by hundreds of mourners. Their 15-year-old eldest son, René-Charles, mounted the stage and gave a touching tribute. 

People Magazine got his speech, "Fifteen years is not a long time for a son to get to know his father. You had a busy life, but we were communicating through golf, hockey, poker and smoked meat ... and a lot of other wonderful food, bonding more and more as time went by.

"You left me now with enough good memories of you to share with my younger brothers," he said of 5-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy. "As they grow older, without you being around, I'll make sure to pass on what I've learned from you. You are a tough act to follow, but with your help, everything's gonna be fine. Dad, I promise you here that we're all going to live up to your standards."

Dion was surrounded by family – including her mother, Therése; and Angélil's adult children from prior marriages, Patrick, Jean-Pierre and Anne-Marie – as she mourned at the funeral. Before René-Charles spoke, his half-brother Patrick shared a speech in French.