Celebrities
Bill Cosby Released From Prison After Court Overturns Sexual Assault Conviction
Bill Cosby was freed on Wednesday after nearly three years in prison following a decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to overturn his 2018 conviction on three charges of aggravated indecent assault.
The 83-year-old comedian and actor has long maintained his innocence in the case, which stems from an accusation that he drugged and had sex with a Temple University employee in 2004.
The court ruling on Wednesday resulted from an agreement Mr Cosby struck with a district attorney, Bruce Castor, in 2005 wherein Mr Castor declined to prosecute Mr Cosby in exchange for the comedian’s testimony during a civil trial. Mr Cosby served more than two years of a three to 10-year sentence at a state prison near Philadelphia.
Mr Cosby shared a statement on social media: “Thank you to all my fans, supporters and friends who stood by me through this ordeal. I have never changed my stance nor my story. I have always maintained my innocence. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law.” The statement included an image of Mr Cosby punching the air.
Mr Cosby “must be discharged, and any future prosecution on these particular charges must be barred,” they wrote. “We do not dispute that this remedy is both severe and rare. But it is warranted here, indeed compelled.”
Mr Cosby was released on Wednesday afternoon, a short time after the court’s decision was made public.
The current district attorney of the jurisdiction where the trial took place, Montgomery County, told ABC News in a statement that Mr Cosby “was found guilty by a jury and now goes free on a procedural issue that is irrelevant to the facts of the crime”.
The shocking news comes a year after Mr Cosby’s parole was denied after he declined to participate in a sexual violence program conducted in the prison, with his attorneys arguing at the time that participation in such a program would make their client appear guilty.
Mr Castor previously made a name for himself earlier in 2021 as the lead attorney presenting the defense of President Donald Trump during his second Senate impeachment trial.
According to the documents and testimony reviewed by the Court, Mr Castor agreed to not prosecute Mr Cosby after deciding that there was not enough evidence to go further with prosecution, and in the hopes that Mr Cosby would testify at a civil trial without the benefit of Fifth Amendment protections.
During depositions for that trial, Mr Cosby made incriminating statements that led to his subsequent conviction when the criminal case was reopened years later, but the Supreme Court’s justices ruled that it didn’t matter because of the 2005 decision by Mr Castor not to prosecute.
The high-profile status of Mr Cosby, once known as “America’s Dad” and star of the hugely popular and influential 1980s The Cosby Show , drew national attention to the case. In 2015, President Barack Obama commented on the news, telling reporters: “I’ll say this, if you give a woman, or a man for that matter, without his or her knowledge, a drug, and then have sex with that person without consent, that’s rape. And I think this country, any civilised country, should have no tolerance for rape.”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki declined to comment on the case specifically at Wednesday’s news briefing, while touting President Joe Biden’s belief that women should be heard when they raise claims of sexual misconduct committed by men.
INDEPENDENT
Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, has revealed that she will use 250 bags of rice in her bid to cook what would become the world’s biggest pot of jollof rice.
Baci, who set the global record for the longest cooking marathon in 2023, shared the details in a video uploaded on Instagram on Monday, while analysing the scale of the project, which has generated widespread curiosity.
She explained that the giant pot designed for the feat has a volume of 22,619 litres, adding that her target was to fill it up to 80 per cent.
“My goal is to fill this pot up by at least 75 to 80 per cent.
“That means I will need about 5,278 kilogrammes of raw basmati rice to achieve the yield,” she said.
According to her, the calculation translates to 264 bags of rice, but she had made a strategic adjustment.
“I am making the executive decision to do 250 bags,” Baci stated.
On condiments, she disclosed that the cooking would require 1,583 kilogrammes of tomato paste.
“For one kg of rice, you would need between 0.20 to 0.35, but because it’s Nigerian jollof, I’m going to use 0.30.
“That means I will need 1,583 kilogrammes of Gino tomato paste,” she said.
Baci added that the tomato base would be shared evenly across tomato paste, pepper chicken paste and jollof paste to make the “most delicious, largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice you have ever tasted.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has invited Subomi and Wahab, the sons of billionaire businessman Razaq Okoya, for interrogation over alleged abuse of the naira.
In the invite signed by Michael Wetkas, acting director of the Lagos directorate of the EFCC, the anti-graft agency directed the duo to report to the head, special operations team at the 15A Awolowo Road office of the commission by 10am on Monday, January 13, 2025.
The Okoya brothers have been in the news for “abusing the naira” in a promotional video for a new song.
The video — which featured a police officer holding wads of N1,000 notes as the boys encircled to a tune — had elicited outrage on social media.
On January 10, Muyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), announced that the officer seen in the video had been arrested and detained.
He said the officer’s actions were unethical, adding that he would face disciplinary action.
“The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the Lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action,” Adejobi wrote on X.
“The involvement of the policeman has been condemned, as it’s unethical. We will always strive hard to uphold the sanctity, credibility, and core values of the police.”
In 2024, the EFCC ramped up its enforcement of naira abuse by celebritries, citing Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.
On April 4, Bobrisky, the social media celebrity, was arrested by the commission in Lagos for defacing naira notes.
The crossdresser was arraigned on a six-count charge by the EFCC.
Celebrities
“You Are My Greatest Blessing And I’m Grateful For This…” – Olori Ashley Tells Ooni Of Ife As She Appreciates Him In Heartfelt Note
Olori Ashley, one of the wives of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, is starting the year with an appreciation note.
In a lengthy post on her Instagram page, the Ife Queen appreciated the King for being her rock, partner, and her greatest blessing. She appreciated him for the gift of their gorgeous son, for his life, support, and unwavering presence.
She expressed gratitude for the memories they have created together and expressed excitement at the ones they will make in the years ahead. She prayed that this year bring him so much happiness, happiness, and love.
Olori Ashley appreciates Ooni
“As we step into this new year, let us embrace it as a blank canvas, ready to be painted with hope, kindness, and resilience. May peace guide our choices, compassion fuel our actions, and unity remind us of our shared humanity. Here’s to a year of progress, love, and the courage to create a brighter tomorrow together.
To my cherished families, friends, and community, thank you for being the heart of my world. This year, let’s continue to support, inspire, and uplift one another. May our bonds grow stronger, our dreams soar higher, and our collective efforts bring lasting joy and success. Together, we can make 2025 unforgettable. Wishing you all health, happiness, and endless possibilities!
To My Dearest Husband @Ooniadimulaife Oonirisa, Adadeoworemo, Olewalowo Oko AFolasade, Ninolowo Baba ADEMAKINWA, Ikoyi Esho Mi, Omo Onife Abure, Akande mi Ajiwe Fun’Osha.
Oko mi @ooniadimulaife, As we welcome this new year, I want to take a moment to thank you for being my rock, my partner, and my greatest blessing. Thank you for the gift of our precious gorgeous son. Thank you for your love, support, and unwavering presence which makes every day brighter and every challenge easier to face.
I’m so grateful for the memories we’ve created together and excited for the ones we’ll make in the years ahead. May this year bring you as much happiness and love as you’ve given me.
Happy New Year, my love! Here’s to us, always and forever.
Emilokan #CrownPrince #Ayaosha #ooniandqueenashley #oloriAshley #ooniofife #OloriAshleyogunwusi #YeyeOmioodua #queenashleyogunwusi #ojajaii #queensconsort #ebonyqueen #africanqueen #QueenofIfe #oloriofife
With all my heart,
HIM Olori Ashley AFolasade Ojaja-Ogunwusi
Yeye Omi Oodua”.
In September, Kemi Filani reported that the couple had announced the birth of their first child, a baby boy. Queen Ashley noted how, for over a decade, the enemies tried in her relationship with the monarch, but God made them victorious. She revealed that last year was a little dark for them as they lost twins, but God remained faithful.
-KFN.
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