The Enugu State House of assembly  has set up a special committee to create new regulations for  Masquerade  activities in the state.

Enugu Assembly Takes Steps to Regulate Masquerade Activities.

According to Afric Showbiz, this action follows an unfortunate event where a nurse named Ms. Blessing Ogbonna was attacked by a group of masquerades in Ihe-Owerre, Nsukka Local Government Area.

During a session on Thursday, a motion put forward by Mr. Malachy Onyechi, a member representing Nsukka West Constituency, led to the establishment of a committee.

Mr. Onyechi emphasized the pressing need to tackle the ongoing challenges of human rights violations, threats to life, and property damage associated with masquerades in his constituency.

Ms. Ogbonna’s experience has triggered extensive criticism and has revealed the negative aspects of masquerade activities in the area.

Mr. Onyechi described the assault on the nurse as both brutal and leading to her hospitalization. This incident is part of a disturbing trend of violence linked to masquerade events, often causing serious injuries or fatalities.

Subsequent to the attack, seven masquerades were arrested and are now facing charges in a magistrate court in Nsukka for assault, extortion, and obstructing a federal road.

The newly established committee is focused on standardizing practices and rules related to masquerades.
This involves regulating their involvement in cultural displays, entertainment, and business ventures to safeguard all involved parties from mistreatment.

Mr. Onyechi stressed that the initiative aims to blend cultural conservation with public well-being, without targeting any specific person or group.

In agreement with the proposal, Mr. Pius Ezugwu, the representative of Nsukka East Constituency, highlighted how masquerade events had almost led to tensions between two communities in his region.

• He emphasized the importance of clear regulations to avoid potential conflicts and safeguard public safety.

• This situation also sheds light on the obstacles encountered by essential service workers, like nurses, who face difficulties in carrying out their responsibilities due to unexpected road blockages and disruptions caused by masquerades.

The Enugu State House of Assembly’s initiative demonstrates an increasing acknowledgment of the importance of balancing cultural traditions with public safety requirements.

Afrobeats artist Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has discussed his personal growth as a father, partner, and believer.

Wizkid said, “I love God and family more, and have no hate for any man.”

The ‘Essence’ singer, currently in a relationship with his manager, Jada Pollock, with whom he has two young sons, shared that he has developed a deeper love for God and his family.

Wizkid emphasized that he harbors no ill will towards anyone and genuinely wishes everyone well.

These comments came in response to speculation on social media that his recent tweets were directed at his soon-to-be married colleague Davido and his fiancée, Chioma Rowland.

The Starboy clarified that it was just his “daily rant on how much I love my family.”

In a series of tweets, Wizkid wrote: “Y’all so foolish. Don’t mix up my tweets. I wish everybody well.

“Smoke a joint before u read any of my tweets moving forward.

“lol ok let me explain where I’m at to you guys. I love God more now, love family,Love self and no hate in my heart for no man. Don’t mix my tweets up. Smoke a joint pls my babies.”

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A US-based wellness influencer, Kat Torres, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for Human trafficking and enslaving women.

Kat Torres

Her sentencing follows a harrowing human trafficking case uncovered by the FBI.

Brazilian Instagram Influencer Sentenced for Turning Followers into Sex Workers

The investigation revealed disturbing details about the former Brazilian model’s activities, including allegations of enslaving and trafficking women who lived with her.

The case came to light after two women who were residing with Torres went missing in 2022. Subsequently, many women came forward with chilling testimonies of their time under Torres’ control.

They spoke of being initially drawn to her glamorous lifestyle and her purported abilities to predict the future using spiritual powers, which she often showcased on Brazilian TV and through high-profile associations, including rumoured relationships with Hollywood figures.

One of Torres’ former associates, identified as Ana, recounted to the media her ordeal after moving to New York to work as Torres’ live-in assistant.

Despite promises of a decent salary, Ana found herself in squalid conditions, forced to endure sleep deprivation and menial tasks without compensation. She described the house as filthy, with deplorable living conditions that included sleeping on a urine-soaked sofa.

The situation escalated when Torres relocated to Texas with two other women, Desirre and Leticia, under the guise of a healing and life coaching retreat.

The environment quickly turned oppressive, with restrictions on movement and alleged involvement in activities such as prostitution and witchcraft.

Desirre, one of the victims, disclosed how she was coerced into working at a strip club and subjected to Torres’ manipulative control, including financial quotas and enforced isolation from others.

Soon, Torres convinced Desiree to turn to prostitution. If she didn’t meet the earning quotas that Torres set, she was not allowed to return to the house that night.

“I ended up sleeping on the street several times because I couldn’t reach that,” Desirre said.

In September, the two women’s friends and family launched social media campaigns to find them. To avoid media attention, Torres and the women travelled from Texas to Maine. From there, the two were made to post Instagram videos denying being held captive and demanded people stop searching for them.

https://www.instagram.com/katstoreoficial?igsh=MTByN3k4eGZtdndidw==

The case has shocked many, with over 20 women stepping forward to share similar tales of exploitation and deception by Torres. They continue to undergo psychological therapy to cope with the trauma inflicted during their time under her influence.

A South African serial rapist and serial murderer, Johan Jacobus Williams, has been sentenced to eight life sentences and sixty years direct imprisonment, following his spate of brutal gender-based violence and femicide.

Serial rapist and murderer gets eight life sentences

Williams was sentenced on Friday, September 20, 2024, in the High Court of South Africa, Western Cape Division.

The National Prosecuting Authority, Regional Communications Manager, Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila, in a statement said he targeted desperate young women promising them employment opportunities, only for them to be found raped, murdered and buried in shallow graves.

The court convicted Williams on 19 February 2024 on 19 charges, which include six counts of kidnapping, five counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape, three counts of murder, a count of housebreaking with intent to commit arson and arson, a count of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and failure to comply with a protection order.

The 52-year-old’s reign of terror between 2012 and 2018 in Wellington saw him kidnap and murder Natalie Jonkers, Maria Isaacs, and Chantelle Matthyssen who he also raped.

His modus operandi was that he promised them employment opportunities, only for them to be later found murdered and buried in shallow graves. He lied to their families, making them believe that they were still alive by sending messages from their cellphones.

He also lied to some of the mothers, saying that she had seen their daughters and were staying at certain areas while he knew this was not the case.

The teetotaler and non-drug user also kidnapped his ex-girlfriend and her two minor children, attempted to rape, and repeatedly raped her. He contravened the protection order his ex-girlfriend took against him. He also terrorised families of his victims by damaging or burning their properties.

Williams pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence throughout the trial despite pointing out to the police the area where he buried the bodies of his victims. He argued that it was a coincidence that all three women were last seen in his company, and he did not understand how he was convicted on the charges the State preferred against him.

During the trial, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Maria Marshall described the accused as a serial murderer and rapist who showed no remorse and emotions, and in fact taunted his victims and their families.

She further described him as a danger to society and asked that the court must send a strong message that gender-based violence and femicide that is a scourge in our society will not be tolerated and the quality, dignity and freedom of all women must be protected. He treated his victims with violence, indignity and preyed on their trusting nature and desperation for money.

Handing down judgment, Judge Rosheni Alie said the accused presented an extreme danger to society and that society’s interests demand that they be protected from a brutal, violent, manipulative, devious and pretentious persons such as Williams.

Regrettably, it was not only the accused on trial but also poverty and unemployment in rural areas. The evidence revealed levels of poverty and the desperate lengths that victims went to access employment opportunities and money.

Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Nicolette Bell, applauded investigating officer, Sergeant Van Rooyen, and Adv Marshall for their outstanding work in securing a successful prosecution and sentence in a case with an accused who wanted to avoid prosecution. Adv Bell also lauded the families of the deceased for their bravery and contribution through witness statements, which helped to secure the conviction of the accused.

“Each of these successful prosecutions is the culmination of months and even years of painstaking investigative and prosecutorial work and exemplify hundreds of similar cases prosecuted successfully daily. These cases provide some justice and closure to the victims and their families and remove violent criminals from our streets,” she said.

Sisi Yemmie has taken to X to share a testimony.

Sisi Yemmie

The vlogger, who recently welcomed a set of twins, revealed that the back pain she’s been experiencing vanished during a prayer session.

She wrote on X:

“I prayed about pain in my back and few seconds later @nathanielblow talked about healing for back pain. He said “they call you sisi”. Omo na me oh! I knelt to pray with pain and stood up without pain. Praise God my healing is complete in Jesus name.”