Entertainment
AFRIMA Unveils Multi-Talented Entertainer, FalzTheBahdGuy, French-Senegalese Actress, Liliane Maroune, As Hosts Of 9th Edition
The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has officially unveiled Nigerian rapper and actor, FalzTheBahdGuy and French-Senegalese actress and media personality, Liliane Maroune as hosts of the 9th edition of the awards.
The 9th AFRIMA, organised by the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA in conjunction and the African Union Commission in partnership with the Lagos State Government (Official Host City), is slated to hold from January 7–11, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
With this appointment, FalzTheBahdGuy becomes the second Nigerian, after music legend 2Baba, to host the prestigious AFRIMA stage, following 2Baba’s historic role as co-host of the inaugural edition in 2014.
Over the years, AFRIMA has featured a distinguished list of hosts drawn from across the continent and the diaspora including 2Baba (Nigeria) and Maryse Acotie (Togo) at the inaugural 2014 edition; DNG (Kenya) and Aurélie Eliam (Cote d’Ivoire) in 2015; Ahmed Soultan (Morocco), Bonang Matheba (South Africa) and Ika De Jong (DRC) in 2016; Akon (Senegal/USA) and Sophy Aiida (Cameroon) in 2017; Michael Blackson (Ghana/USA), Pearl Thusi (South Africa) and Anita Erskine (Ghana) in 2018; Pearl Thusi and Eddie Kadi (DRC/UK) in 2019 and 2021; and Ahmed Sylla (France/Senegal), Sophy Aiida, and Pearl Thusi at the 8th edition held in January 2023.
FalzTheBahdGuy, a multiple award winner, is one of Africa’s most respected figures in music and film. He is known for his intelligent lyrics, confident stage presence, and powerful social commentary. Beyond music, FalzTheBahdGuy has built a strong acting career and received praise for his roles in popular films such as New Money, Brotherhood, 10 Days in Sun City, and Chief Daddy.
Liliane Maroune, a French-Senegalese actress, model, and TV host, brings elegance, global appeal, and a strong African identity to the AFRIMA stage. Maroune, who also has Lebanese and Mauritanian ancestry, is well known for her roles in West African television series, including Myriam in Emprises and Aissatou in Coeurs Brisés. She is also popular for hosting the talk show Wakhtane Ak Lily, where she interviews leading African creatives. Her growing influence across Africa and Europe positions her as a fitting co-host for the awards.

Speaking on the choice of hosts, Nde Ndifonka, AFRIMA Regional Director for Central Africa, said, “FalzTheBahdGuy brings intelligence, strong ideas, and a powerful African voice that connects with both young and old audiences. Liliane embodies elegance, diversity, and the contemporary African woman with international influence. Together, they clearly show the strength and richness of African music and culture. They both understand Africa, speak for Africa, and live the African experience in their own ways.”
The build-up to the 9th AFRIMA has been electric, with music fans across the world still voting for their preferred artistes in 39 categories of the awards on www.afrima.org.
The five-day event of the biggest music awards in Africa will begin with the Welcome Soirée for guests and nominees at the British Deputy High Commission House in Lagos on Wednesday, January 7. The Africa Music Business Summit will take centre stage on Thursday, January 8, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites. Music lovers across the continent are expected to throng the Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Lagos, on Friday, January 9, for the AFRIMA Music Village.
There will be a Nominees & Industry Party on Saturday, January 10, before the Main Awards Show on Sunday, January 11, also at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites. The Red Carpet starts at 3:00 PM (WAT), and the awards ceremony will be broadcast live to more than 84 countries, ensuring the excitement reaches audiences around the world.
Entertainment
Cybercrime Battle: Nollywood’s Angela Okorie Remanded Following Mercy Johnson Petition
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of actress Angela Okorie in Suleja Correctional Centre over alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order on Wednesday after Angela was arraigned on a three count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force. The actress pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Her counsel, Alex Ejesieme, applied for bail, but the court declined and ordered that she be remanded pending the hearing of her formal bail application on January 30.
According to the charge, Angela allegedly conspired with one Ifeoma Mbonu, who is currently at large, to cyberstalk and defame fellow actress Mercy Johnson through posts on Instagram and TikTok.
The police alleged that the offences were committed in 2024 and contravened provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.
Part of the petition written by Mercy Johnson’s lawyer accused Okorie of posting the following statement online:
“Blood sucking demon no see blood suck again, E say na slimming tea. Except there’s no God, MJ go and beg people you chop their destinies and destroyed their hornes else no peace for the wicked!!! Gospel songs won’t save you. Your heart Is Dark!!!”
The petition stated that the publication was intended to cause serious reputational damage and emotional distress. It added that the post was meant to “incite hatred, provoke unrest among the public and further harass and emotionally traumatize our client.”
Prosecuting counsel Victor Okoye asked the court to remand Angela and fix a date for trial. He argued that the administrative bail earlier granted to the actress had lapsed following her arraignment.
Ejesieme told the court that the actress was not given enough time to prepare for her defence, adding that she was served the charge shortly before proceedings began. He also said she was not previously informed about the case before being brought from Lagos to Abuja.
Justice Nwite held that the court could not entertain an oral bail application and ordered both parties to file and exchange all necessary documents within 24 hours. He then ordered that Angela be remanded in Suleja Prison pending the bail hearing.
Angela was arrested on Tuesday by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre at her residence in Lagos. She was detained overnight at the Yaba Police Station before being taken to Abuja for arraignment.
The case follows a long running public dispute between Angela and Mercy Johnson, which has played out on social media over the years with several exchanges and allegations.
Neither Angela nor Mercy has issued an official statement since the court proceedings.
Entertainment
Toyin Abraham’s ‘Oversabi Aunty’ Hits ₦1 Billion Milestone At West African Box Office
Toyin Abraham’s first directorial debut ‘Oversabi Aunty’ surpasses 1billion streams, grossing more than N1billion at Box Office earnings.
The milestone was announced by Filmone Entertainment, the film’s distributor, via its Instagram handle @filmoneng.
“First Nollywood directorial debute to hit 1billion, and 4th highest grossing Nollywood film of all time.
“West Africa, this is a full celebration. World best for a reason, and Oversabi Aunty is still showing in the cinemas worldwide”.
Reacting to the achievement, Abraham took to her Instagram page @toyin_abraham to show appreciation to God, her crew and her fans for the support.
“Thank you God, Toyintitans, Nigerians, my casts, crew, Filmone, and everyone that has collaborated in making the movie a success.
“I am short for words. My first directorial debute on the big screen. Oversabi Aunty to the world and still showing in the cinemas near you,” Abraham said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘Oversabi Aunty’ was released in the cinemas across Nigeria on Dec. 29, 2025.
Directed by Toyin Abraham, in collaboration with Filmone Studios, the film features star studded cast like Ngozi Ezeonu, Queen Nwokoye, Jemena Osunde, Mike Ezuruonye, Toyin Afolayan, Emeka Okoye, and Femi Adebayo.
The film follows the story of Toun, a self-righteous church usher who is obsessed with fixing others and turns family life into a battlefield.
The comedy drama is a masterpiece about faith; however, it is filled with family tension, humour, drama, everyday life situations and the fine line between devotion and delusion. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Entertainment
Wizkid Becomes First African Artist To Enter Spotify’s 10 Billion Streams Elite
Nigerian superstar Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid has officially made history as the first African artist to surpass 10 billion streams on Spotify across all credits.
This milestone cements his legacy as the leading figure in the global expansion of Afrobeats, having been the first African artist to reach every billion-stream threshold on the platform (from 1 billion to 10 billion).
The Ojuelegba crooner achieved the feat as his streams across all credits on the platform recently hit the 10 billion-stream mark.
His collaborative hit with Canadian superstar Drake and British singer, Tyla is his most streamed song on the platform with almost 4 billion streams.
His third studio album, ‘Made In Lagos Deluxe’ is his most streamed project on Spotify with over a billion streams.
Wizkid’s most streamed song as lead is ‘Essence’ featuring Tems, which has amassed over 333 million streams.
Meanwhile, American singer Billie Eilish’s ‘Birds Of A Feather’ has surpassed Tones and I’s ‘Dance Monkey’ as the most streamed solo song by a female artist in Spotify history.
‘Birds Of A Feather’ recently hit 3.37 billion to surpass ‘Dance Monkey’, which has 3.3 billion streams.
-
Entertainment2 days agoCybercrime Battle: Nollywood’s Angela Okorie Remanded Following Mercy Johnson Petition
-
Breaking News2 days agoEx-Senator Iyabo Obasanjo Joins All Progressives Congress
-
News2 days agoKano: APC Deputy Gov Candidate, Murtala Garo Welcomes Governor Yusuf To Party
-
News2 days agoBoardroom Guru, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, Dies At 93
