Ini Edo,Talks about her new film, her marriage and why she is yet to become a mother

Ini Edo,Talks about her new film, her marriage and why she is yet to become a mother

What is your latest movie, I’ll Take My Chances, about?

I’ll Take My Chances is a project after my heart. It was shot in Lagos, Calabar and Uyo. It took two months to produce, from rehearsals to filming. The movie has been premiered in Lagos and will be showing in other cinemas across Nigeria. It will also be in the cinemas in some UK and US cities. It is a unique African story that has to do with the beauty of our culture in Africa, with a focus on dance.

Why dance?

It is because dance remains a major part of our culture. If you are talking about Africa and things that stand out, we talk about our local dance, different local dialects and languages. But the aspect that is of huge importance is dance. It has not been really touched and exploited fully. We seem to like the Oyinbo culture more than ours. We focus more on Western songs and dance. Meanwhile, we have a very rich culture that can also be exploited. Also, on a personal note, I particularly love dancing. When the idea of the script for I’ll Take My Chances came up, I was so excited about it. And this inspired me more because I had looked for a strong story that has an African undertone. I wanted an original story that people in different parts of the world can relate to easily. So, when I saw the concept of the story, I decided to be part of the project.

What is the basic message of the film?

The basic message in the film is that at the end of the day, love conquers everything. We also touched on the issue of ancestral belief as being an overrated one. Instead of the notion that what you believe happens to you, we tell people that you are in charge of your destiny.

What informed the choice of Bryan Okwara, a former Mr. Nigeria, as the lead actor in the film?

Basically, we didn’t want to make the film look like the everyday film with the same faces. For me, I believe in discovery of new talents. For my production, I always look out for fresh faces with talent. Then, I add one or two notables in the industry. The main reason Bryan was chosen is because we needed someone who could really dance. It is not just about featuring someone who goes to the nightclub and dance very well there, but a professional dancer. And Bryan ticks all the boxes. He has the looks and if you remember, Bryan was in the first season of Celebrity Takes Two, a dance reality show where he actually proved himself.

What were the challenges you faced putting it together?

The major challenge we had was after the shoot. And this was with the Americans that we brought in to do the editing of the film. They actually raised some issues that forced us to re-edit some scenes severally. Another challenge was getting crowds to fill in some scenes in Calabar and Uyo. But we were able to get around the problems.

How much did it cost to put the movie together?

From when we started filming till now, we have spent about N60 million.

We spent such amount because we didn’t want to make this film a typical Nollywood film. We intend to take the film to other countries for screening and because of that, we spent more on quality production.

You premiered the movie in Uyo before Lagos, which is the entertainment capital. Why?

Who made Lagos the traditional entertainment capital? We all did. But at the same time, all other places need to grow. We need to expose other states as well. Uyo, for instance, is almost like a mini-Lagos. The place has really opened up. It has facilities for movie premieres. But basically, I decided to take the movie back home to my people, as I shot most of the scenes in Uyo and Calabar. I received a lot of support from them during the shoot. I am of the opinion that the industry should not just be centralised in Lagos. My state, Akwa Ibom, is a very entertaining place. It is a state where they accept and appreciate entertainment and entertainers. My Governor (Godswill Akpabio) is very interested in artistes and young people. So, premiering the movie there is like recognising the support and contribution I got.

We learnt Governor Akpabio contributed to the making of the movie.

He didn’t participate in the making of the movie. He was only present at the premiere in Uyo. If you remember, it held at the Government House, Uyo. He was more like the host. That’s the extent of his involvement.

Many see you as following the trends of actresses turning producers.

I disagree. I can confidently say that I am one of the actresses, among my contemporaries, that actually started this trend. I started making films on a wider scale over two years ago when I produced my first film, Memories of My Heart. Except maybe Funke Akindele, I think, I am one of the first to have successfully combined acting with producing.

How has the transition been?

Producing is not something I would want to do full time. I don’t think I am up for it yet. I am an actress and I will always be.

You are a wife, an ambassador of the United Nations and some brands, an actress and now a producer. How do you handle all these?

It has not been easy. Despite my tight schedule, I do make out time for my family. Most of the time, I am out of the country to see my husband and he also comes in, too. Though it is not 100 per cent, we still try to balance that aspect of our life. We both have careers and intend to make it work. Being a UN Ambassador for Habitat is more like a full time job itself. I carry out my responsibilities through my Foundation, which I just registered. It is called TOAST (Teach One And Save Thousands). We work with children and help to rebuild some schools. I want to be able to put a smile on the faces of people. I intend to leave a legacy and ensure that I am able to touch or change lives, even if it is one soul. I want to, at least, give hope to those who have no hope at all.

Is that what is delaying you becoming a parent?

Definitely, it does affect things. But once I’m ready for it (motherhood), it will be a full time affair. Of course, I don’t know how it is possible to be pregnant and be working at the same time. But once pregnancy comes up, the real priority will take over.

What lessons have you learnt in marriage?

Patience, endurance and I have learnt to be selfless.

I think I have grown and become more mature. I have become a real woman because I now realise that there are a lot of things I used to do that I can’t do any more. I always remember that at the end of the day, I am bearing somebody’s name. So, I am very careful now.

Kidnappers behead victim in Ebonyi

A former Permanent Secretary in Ebonyi State, Cletus Nwezza, has been beheaded by his abductors in the Ezza Local Council Area of the state.

Nwezza was abducted by a group suspected to be Izzo Boys who have been terrorising the Ezza West, Oshiebe, Amuda Umuezeoka and Amaewula
communities.

A source, who did not want his name published, said the kidnappers of the former permanent secretary had demanded a ransom of N10 million, but killed him when the money failed to materialise.

It was gathered that following the kidnap, residents of the community had cooperated with the police by appearing to give in to the kidnappers, leading to the arrest of six people suspected to have been engineered the abduction.

However, the source said that a search party constituted after the arrest discovered the decomposing headless body of Nwezza buried in a shallow grave near a river in the community.

The state's Commissioner for Police, Adeola Adeniji, confirmed that the corpse of the former permanent secretary was discovered on Tuesday, but denied that Nwezza had been beheaded. He said that an autopsy would reveal the cause of death, while investigations would continue in the matter.

Folllowing pubic outrage Munachii apologises to Modenine + management releases statement

It appears that Munachii broke under the pressure from the public who expressed their outrage on various social media platform and blogs at her rude behaviour towards hip hop veteran Modenine at The Nokia Don’t Break a Beat Competition a few days back.

[IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, READ Munachi vs Modenine…Public Spat Caught on Camera]

She tweeted the following apology to Modenine:

Good job Muna…at least it shows you have manners, even though the apology sounds somewhat forced…

Almost simultaneously her management RMG sent out a press release addressing the argument. Read after the jump

It has come to my attention that the unfortunate incident that occurred at the Nokia “Don’t Break The Beat” competition on Saturday the 28^th of April 2012, where RMG artiste Muna was a Presenter, and Nigerian rap icon Mode 9 was a Judge, has turned into a media/blog frenzy.

This unfortunate misunderstanding happened on stage, and the verbal exchange between Muna and Mode 9, even though it started out as opinions quickly escalated into what I’m sure we all have seen in the clip posted on the Internet by Nigezie.

Mode 9 and Muna did not have any pre-existing misunderstanding or “beef” before the Nokia event. Muna’s brief as a Presenter, aside introducing the Contestants and asking the Judges for their remarks and scores, was to add more banter to the judging process, this she had done very well and incident free throughout the Zonal “rap battles” in cities like Lagos, Enugu, Benin and Abuja.

As Muna’s management, we are duty bound to take care of this situation professionally, issue statements and all that, but as I’m in a privileged position and I know all parties involved personally, including co-judges Rogba (CEO, Knighthouse) and DJ Jimmy Jatt, I had called everyone involved to sort out this unfortunate issue amongst ourselves the morning after the incident. The clip of the incident surfacing on the Internet only just re-ignited what we’ve been trying to diffuse since the very next day.

Like I said, we all have seen the video clip, and the interviews that followed, and of course the onslaught of comments on the internet, the justified, the objective, the insults, the threats of violence and of course a few sensible and supportive ones as well. Time will tell if Muna and Mode 9 trending on Twitter would prove to be a good thing and we’ll all get together and laugh about it later.

Muna is a fast rising talent in the rap game, this was recognized by Nokia who gave her the opportunity to appear in their TV commercial and also present the “Don’t Break The Beat” competition which was a massive success. The brand also showed some street cred by employing the undisputed knowledge of rap in appointing Mode 9 as the Head Judge at the Finals. We would like to thank Nokia and the team at YDx for putting together a successful competition.

Lastly, I would like to reiterate that this issue will not be resolved publicly and played out in the media or on blog pages for the amusement and enjoyment of gossip junkies and gist merchants. I’m sorry to disappoint those who are waiting with their mouths open, there will be no leaked emails, back and forth exclusive interviews or Twitter “gangsterisms”. At least not from our side, and as you all know, Mode 9 is big a man enough not to subscribe to media hype over something that, quite rightly, he took as disrespectful but not life threatening. This is Hip Hop, not the Civil War Part 2.

Ayo Shonaiya

The RMG Company

19 Year Old Davido Parties it Up with D’Banj at Strip Club in Atlanta, USA

The occasion was rapper Meek Mill’s 25th birthday party…The date: 2nd of May. The venue: Diamonds of Atlanta, an upscale gentleman’s club…translation strip club, so lots of lap dances and naked chicks…oshey!

D’Banj and Davido hit up the strip club in Atlanta last Tuesday to party with MMG’s Meek Mill, DJ Drama & half naked big booty girls. D’Banj’s brother Kay Switch & Sina Rambo were also there.

Our naija stars are balling o…One question though: what was Davido looking for there? At 19 years old isn’t he underage? You have to be 21 to enter a nightclub/strip club in the US. I guess he was on some fake id tings. **Kanya Shrug**

More pictures of the Meek Mill, DJ Drama and the strippers at the club…WARNING THEY ARE NOT SAFE FOR WORK or YOUR PARENTS or SCHOOL O!

DJ Drama

Some acrobatic sturvs

Meek Mill

Sina Rambo & friend

RIHANAN ADVERTISES VITO COCO WATER

All those who bottle water in Nigeria and beyond had better take a cue from this campaign that would be led by one of the world's biggest entertainers-Rihanna.

The ‘everly’ gorgeous star just had a shoot recently, the photos were taken by renowned Photographer- Terry Richardson and they are the shoot for the upcoming advert for Vito CoCo Coconut Water. She had on a white T-shirt on a rolled-up short-short denim pants. If that's what the water does to someone than we believe it’s gonna sell out.

Just imagine our on very delicious candy- Munachi wearing very short, rolled up denims, with just a white tee on and singing or rapping about her love for a sachet or bottle of water, if all the ladies won't buy, we believe all men would do.

More pixs after the break.

But seriously ooo, lets not lie at all, Rihanna is mad sexy. We don't think some of these shots would make the advert campaign, they might be viewed to be too sexy!!!

In political gamble, Obama supports gay marriage

Enlarge

WASHINGTON – With his endorsement of gay marriage on Wednesday, President Obama electrified his liberal base, incensed cultural conservatives and may have ensured that a debate on social issues will play a part in the debate ahead of the November election.

But Obama's endorsement, which comes one day after voters in the swing state of North Carolina overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment banning gay unions and domestic partnership, is a political gamble.

Americans remain deeply divided on the issue, with 50% supporting gay marriage and 48% against it, according to a Gallup Poll released Tuesday. But polling shows that young voters, who were key to Obama's victory in 2008, and independent voters are increasingly comfortable with gay marriage.

Likely GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney told reporters that he disagreed with Obama's position, as surrogates stressed he has remained consistent on the issue. Romney has never embraced gay marriage, but in his unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1994, he said that he would be better on gay rights than Sen. Edward Kennedy.

"States are able to make decisions with regard to domestic partnership benefits such as hospital visitation rights, benefits and so forth of various kinds can be determined state by state, but my view is that marriage itself is a relationship between a man and a woman and that's my own preference," Romney said Wednesday.

In the ABC interview, Obama said that his shift in position came after years of careful consideration and talks with friends, family and neighbors. The president said that he and the first lady have discussed the issue across the dinner table, and considered their daughters' perspectives on the issue.

"Malia and Sasha, it wouldn't dawn on them that somehow their friends' parents would be treated differently," Obama said. "It wouldn't make sense to them. And frankly, that's the kind of thinking that prompts a change in perspective."

The Obama campaign, which declined to discuss political implications of the decision, could be pleased that independent voters support the legalization of marriage 57%-40%, according to the latest Gallup Poll. On Wednesday evening, the president sent a fundraising e-mail to supporters explaining his position.

Meanwhile, 71% of voters ages 18-29, another crucial group for Obama, said they favored legalization of gay marriage in three Gallup polls taken over the past year. "The middle can be won on this issue," said Lanae Erickson Hatalsky, director of social policy and politics at Third Way, a Democratic-leaning think tank . "There's a lot of energy among young voters on this issue, a group they sorely need in November."

Some conservatives and gay-marriage opponents argued that Obama has given Romney leverage in several swing states that have gay-marriage bans on the books, including Florida, Nevada, North Carolina Ohio and Virginia. "He just lost the election," said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage.

Timing is everything

Obama had intended to make the announcement in support of gay marriage before the Democratic convention in early September, according to a White House aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about internal deliberations. The intense media scrutiny given to the comments by Biden and Duncan pushed up the timetable. The aide said the gay-marriage issue would not be a major part of their campaign, and it remains unclear whether it will affect the outcome of the election.

North Carolina was just one of several battles same-sex marriage proponents face over the several months. Voters could effect same-sex marriage in several states this fall, said Jennie Bowser of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In Maine, a state law that would allow same-sex marriage is on the ballot, while in Minnesota, a constitutional amendment is under consideration that would ban it. Petitions for ballot measures are circulating in Nebraska and Ohio. Both would repeal existing bans. Voters may also get a chance in Washington state and Maryland to reject laws allowing same-sex marriage.

In past years, said Bowser, "it's mostly been anti-same-sex marriage, not pro-same-sex marriage. This is a turnaround."

Obama won North Carolina by only 14,000 votes in 2008 with support from young voters and minorities. The response was mixed in the state that both campaigns hope to win.

Ron Gates, 50, president of the Ministerial Alliance of Asheville, N.C., said he voted for Obama, but won't this year. "He won't get my vote again with a comment like that," said Gates, of Greater Works of God and Christ, a Pentecostal mixed-race congregation. "It's disappointing. Extremely disappointing."

"I think he is right," said Renardo Hart, 24, of Greenville, S.C., who voted for Obama. "Gay people should get married. Straight people get married. Gays should enjoy their life, being happy, being together."

In other swing states, Americans were divided in their response to Obama's shift.

"I feel like we've been waiting for it the entire time," said Emily Frerichs, 24, a graduate student in Iowa who is in a same-sex relationship. "Finally seeing him follow through is inspiring."

In Springfield, Mo., Jim Cookson, the senior pastor at the National Avenue Assembly of God, said the decision was calibrated to gain support.

"To me, a marriage is between a man and a woman," he said. "I think his primary position is to gain the support of the left and the homosexual community."

Accused of 'playing politics'

The announcement immediately drew cheers from Democrats, liberal clergy and gay rights activists. Republicans, including GOP National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, accused Obama of "playing politics" and criticized him for being inconsistent in his stance.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who last year shepherded the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York, called Obama's support a "major advancement for equal rights in this country."

The Human Rights Campaign, which has long lobbied the president, said Obama "made history by boldly stating that gay and lesbian Americans should be fully and equally part of the fabric of American society." HRC President Joe Solmonese said the "words will no doubt inspire thousands more conversations around kitchen tables and in church pews."

Marc Solomon, of Freedom to Marry, said Obama was modeling for Americans what so many re going through as they weigh their feelings on the issue.

Few Republicans were surprised by the announcement and indicated his position would drive conservatives to the polls in November. "Obama must be really afraid he's in trouble with his base," said Penny Nance, president of Concerned Women for America. "While it energizes the left, it also energizes the right."

Other conservatives immediately began to raise money off the comments. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee called same-sex marriage a "defining issue" for the election and in an e-mail encouraged supporters to donate at least $10 to his political action committee to help elect candidates that will preserve traditional marriage.

Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, questioned Obama's political calculus. "This could be the key to solidifying the enthusiastic support Romney needs among conservative oriented voters," he said.

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., among the first openly gay members of Congress, said the decision wasn't without political risk but could help Obama in November. "I believe it will be clear in the days ahead that this will cost him no votes, since those opposed to legal equality for LGBT people were already inclined to oppose him," he said.

Man Killed While Sleeping With A Lady During Night Vigil

Demons usually have a way of manipulating people and anyone who allows himself or herself to be carried away may not like the consequences. Below is a story making rounds on the blogosphere:

About 2 weeks ago at the Agodi area of Ibadan in Oyo State, there was this incident that rocked the environs about the death one of their neighbours. The tale happened when a Church (name withheld) in the area organized her monthly Vigil.

Among the participants were a young man and a young lady. But rather than join others to pray and praise God, they cunningly sneaked out of the church and settled in a dark corner to "enjoy themselves".

They were busy with their unholy act when two members of the Vigilante Group in the area noticed some unusual sound and moment. So they moved a little bit closer and shout “who is there” but there was no response from the love birds.

As the drama of as asking question without response continued, one of the men got angry and shot directly at the corner. To their surprise, they heard the voice of a man groaning; as they moved closer, they found a man and a woman naked. Sadly the man died at the spot.

I hear the two vigilante members have since been arrested and are currently being detained at the Agodi Police station for murder case.

The man who was sentenced to death at 16

Patrick Okoroafor, 31, who was sentenced to death in Imo State at the age of 16 in 1997, has expressed his happiness at being released from prison and reunited with his family after such a very long time, following a global campaign by Amnesty International.

Okoroafor was 14 when he was arrested in 1995 and 16 when sentenced to death for armed robbery, a crime which he says he didn’t commit.

"Amnesty International considers Okoroafor’s trial to have been grossly unfair and has repeatedly called for his immediate and unconditional release," the human rights group stated on Wednesday.

Okoroafor’s sentence was commuted to life imprisonment months after the original death sentence was imposed. In October 2001, a High Court judgement pronounced the sentence of death on him to be unlawful, null and void and changed his sentence to detention "during the pleasure of the governor"; another term for indefinite detention.

"In 2009, one year after Amnesty International launched its campaign to release Patrick Okoroafor; his sentence was reduced to ten years. The following year it was reduced again to two years. He was finally released on 30 April 2012," stated the organisation.

Patrick Okoroafor featured regularly in Amnesty’s global solidarity letter-writing campaign and has received more than 10,000 cards and letters. In writing a letter of gratitude in 2010, Patrick Okoroafor encouraged his supporters to not give up in their efforts of campaigning for him.

"After Amnesty began its call for my release from prison, and after reading some of the thousands of letters, card and messages sent to me by Amnesty supporters, I began to hope that I would soon be free in the not too distant future," he said after his release.

Amnesty International’s Nigeria Researcher Lucy Freeman, also expressed happiness at the development and called for stronger efforts to free other prisoners denied a fair trial in the country.

"It is fantastic that Patrick Okoroafor is finally free," she said. "Patrick was denied the right to a fair trial and was a victim of a miscarriage of justice. Unfortunately, Patrick Okoroafor was just one of many prisoners in Nigeria who did not have a fair trial. Human rights violations are prevalent in Nigeria’s justice system. Arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and unfair trials are features of many inmates’ experience."

Second Male Masseur Sues John Travolta For $2M Over Sexual battery

A second unidentified masseur has joined a $2 million lawsuit against American actor John Travolta claiming the actor sexually assaulted the men in two separate incidents during private massages, according to amended court documents filed on Tuesday.

The second unnamed man, a resident of Georgia referred to as John Doe No. 2 in court papers obtained by Reuters, claimed that Travolta rubbed his legs, touched his genitals and tried to initiate sex at a private appointment at the actor's room inside an Atlanta hotel on January 28.

The allegations echo those of John Doe No. 1, a resident of Texas, who filed the initial complaint late last week and accused Travolta of sexually assaulting him during a private massage at the Beverly Hills Hotel on January 16.

"This second 'anonymous' claim is just as absurd and ridiculous as the first one," said attorney Martin Singer, who represents the Hollywood actor.

"Our client will be fully vindicated in court on both of these absurd and fictional claims."Travolta's spokesman has called the lawsuit "complete fiction and fabrication."

The plaintiff's attorney, Pasadena, California-based Okorie Okorocha, told Reuters that since the initial complaint was filed last week, he has had many more potential victims come forward with similar complaints.

"I will file for every single victim. Mr. Travolta has been able to evade justice, and he's going to challenge it with me. but I'm not afraid , I'll stand up to him," said Okorocha.

He said that the men did not go to the police because they did not think the police would believe them.

Rapper, MI Bed-Ridden With Asthma**Laments On Inability To Smoke

Rapper, Jude Abaga well known as MI is bed ridden with Asthma.

The Jos born soft-core rapper has been hit with the respiratory ailment for some days now.

The Loopy Music label boss, who doubles as Choc City signed artiste, made this public when he tweeted, "I've been bed ridden for the last few days. My asthma is acting up. Shout out to pepper soup and tea."

MI, also the son of a pastor in a Jos church is well known for his own style of rap that cut across board.

MI further tweeted about his asthma ailment, "I have asthma. Hence, i can't smoke. Sorry, let me be positive. The devil has asthma hence i can't smoke."

Asthma is a partial seizure of breath of the victim. Asthma patients are mostly affected with choked or contaminated air from cigarettes, etc.

4 minors suspected in South Africa gang rape released on bail

Four minors accused in a brutal videotaped gang rape of a mentally disabled teenager were released on $67 bail Thursday, their lawyer said.

The boys fear for their safety and will not be returning to their homes because of anger in the community, lawyer William Karam told CNN.

A South African court has already determined that three of the four will face full prosecution.

The court has not made a ruling on how to prosecute the fourth minor suspect, a 13-year-old. South African law presumes children up to the age of 14 to be "criminally incapable."

Repentant rapist never thought of victim

South Africa's rape problem

Rape crisis in South Africa

Prosecutor Carina Coetzee said the four minors were placed under house arrest, according to the South African Press Association.

The four are among eight suspects charged with kidnapping and raping the girl. Three are adult teenagers seen on the video and the other suspect is a 37-year-old man who was found with the victim.

The images of the assault of the 17-year-old girl, believed to be mentally ill, swept across the Internet last month and touched a nerve in South Africa.

The shocking footage shows the girl pleading for her attackers to stop, and it has some activists saying it is an example of the country's problem with rape.

The girl went missing on March 21. Police suspect she was kidnapped and turned into a sex slave.

The cell phone video of her gang rape surfaced and went viral among schoolchildren in Soweto, a vast township near Johannesburg.

The adult teenage suspects are due for a bail hearing June 20. The man is scheduled to appear in court Friday, court officials said.

It is unlikely that the adult suspects, accused of a crime that has shocked many in South Africa, will be granted bail, officials have said.

A woman is raped every 26 seconds in South Africa, according to local aid groups.

More than 60,000 cases of sexual assault were reported in the year to March 2011, down from 70,000 in 2008, police said.

In Gauteng province, where Johannesburg is located, one in every five rapes is a gang rape, according to women's rights activist Lisa Vetten.

The mother of the 17-year-old has said this was not the first time her daughter was raped. She was raped in 2009 and 2010, and authorities did little to address the issue in the past, the mother said.

After the girl was found and as the news of the video emerged, the government placed her in a safe house, a place where she can attend school and socialize in a secure environment.

Help me,' homeless man begs as cops fatally beat him in videotaped incident

Manuel Ramos, right, and Jay Cicinelli appear at their arraignment in September in Santa Ana, California.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Kelly Thomas, the 37-year old homeless man, died days after his arrest
• Two Fullerton, California, police officers face charges
• One tells Thomas: "You see my fists? They're getting ready to f--- you up."

- A graphic video played at a hearing Monday to determine whether two California police officers should stand trial in the beating death of a homeless man showed them kicking and punching the mentally ill man as he lay on the ground -- screaming in pain and begging for help.

The victim, Kelly Thomas, died five days after the beating on July 5.

Manuel Ramos, a 10-year veteran of the Fullerton, California, police department, is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, while Cpl. Jay Patrick Cicinelli faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and felony use of excessive force in the same case.

Both have pleaded not guilty.

It begins with Thomas -- a 37-year-old homeless man with schizophrenia -- sitting and being told by Ramos to put his feet out and hands on his knees.

The officers were responding to a call about a homeless man looking into car windows and pulling on handles of parked cars.

In the video, Thomas is slow to cooperate.

Ramos then tells him: "You see my fists? They're getting ready to f--- you up."

Thomas, who is unarmed and shirtless, stands and another officer walks over. They hit him with their batons and hold him on the ground as he begs for help.

"Ok, I'm sorry, dude. I'm sorry!" he screams. At one point, Thomas says he can't breathe. The officers tell him to lie on his stomach, put his hands behind his back and relax.

"Ok, here, here, dude, please!" he says.

Other officers arrive.

At times, trees block the view of the camera and it's not always clear who is doing what as officers pile on top of Thomas.

One uses a Taser stun gun.

Thomas cries out for help and. toward the end of the beating, for his father: "Dad! Help me. Help me. Help me, dad."

His voice gets softer and trails off.

By the end of the video, he is lying in a pool of blood as the officers wonder out loud what to do next.

One can be heard saying: "We ran out of options so I got to the end of my Taser and I ... smashed his face to hell."

Thomas suffered brain injuries, facial fractures, rib fractures, and extensive bruising and abrasions, according to prosecutors.

The Orange County coroner listed his manner of death as a homicide and said he died after having his chest compressed, leaving him unable to breathe.

The FBI is investigating possible civil rights violations in his case.

Six Fullerton officers, including Ramos and Cicinelli, were put on paid leave after his death. The case drew widespread attention to the police department of Fullerton, located about 25 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Fraudster bags two years jail term Over $32, 200 scam

Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)

A 25 year old man has been sentenced over his involvement in a love scam

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State has sentenced one Gerald Obielom, 25, to two years imprisonment for offences bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and forgery.

Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo convicted the accused on each of the 11 count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). He is to also forfeit the sum of $7,050 (seven thousand and fifty dollars) which the court ordered should be remitted to the victim, Minda Faltado, as restitution.

Mr. Obielom a.k.a Gerald Bosco was arrested on the February 18, 2011 by operatives of the EFCC following a complaint by Ms Faltado, a Filipina, that Mr. Obielom,using the name Gerald Bosco in collaboration with his cohorts, deceived her through an online relationship (love scam) and fleeced her of several sums of money totaling thirty two thousand, Four hundred USD ($32,400) of which Seven thousand and fifty USD ($7,050:00) was traced to Gerald.

The convict, an accountancy graduate, who is yet to perform the compulsory national youth service programme, confessed that he met the complainant on the internet. Having fostered a relationship with her, he started collecting money from her.

“I later introduced my friends Henry Ibeh, Christian Nwokolo, Sunday Chinwuba and Valentine Nweke (all at large) to her and they too started to chat with her using my email address.

“Minda has been sending money to Henry Ibeh who, in turn, has given me not less than $5000 USD. Christian Nwokolo collected a total sum of USD 7,700; Valentine collected a total sum of USD 11,504. Sunday collected a total sum of USD 6,400”, Gerald stated.

‘I’m not dead’ – Baba Latin cries out

Popular Yoruba comic actor Bolaji Amusan, otherwise known as Mr Latin, has debunked rumours of his own death.
As the news of his alleged death spread via social network Twitter, Amusan responded with ‘Are u stupid?‘  to this condolence message: ‘@rdeye2002: RIP to the best comedian @Mr_Latin ..May ur Soul rest in Perfect Peace..so sad‘.
The above Tweet generated fear amongst his numerous fans, prompting them to ask for more ‘tweet confirmations’.
Meanwhile, other followers of the actor tried to clear up the rumours:  ‘Sometimes i wonder how the rumours starts and then it is everywhere,Mr Latin is fine and he is not even sick‘
‘Mr_Latin is not dead o, he is very much alive, I saw him today, also Amb Oladunjoye called him to confirm, stop d rumour.’
Shortly after, the comedian finally tweeted ‘I’m alive. Please stop this rumour. I’m not dying Mo ku ti‘, bringing relief to those concerned.

Massive explosions averted in Bayero University, Kano, two bombs demobilised

Boko Haram has become Nigeria's biggest security challenge

Two locally-made bombs were discovered in the university before they exploded
What could have been a major disaster has just been averted at Bayero University. Two locally-made bombs were discovered at the faculties of law and sciences of the university.
The bombs were discovered by the university security team who promptly called in the police.
The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, confirmed the incident, saying the bombs have been demobilised and that his team was in the process of destroying the explosives.
Mr. Idris said the police was yet to establish who planted the bombs.
The incident is coming barely a week after worshippers on Sunday services were attacked by unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sects, killing over 15 and wounding several others.
Residents later reported a loud explosion from the direction of the Federal College of Education, Kano, with some scampering for safety. The college is close to the university.
We are unable to ascertain whether or  not the explosion was as a result of the police trying to demobilised the explosives found in the university.