2022 in retrospect: 10 top stories in entertainment industry

The Nigerian entertainment industry witnessed a spectacular year after two years of coronavirus disruption.

Celebrity controversies, scandals, deaths and legal battles captured the spotlight and consumed social media.

Some artists witnessed tragedies that shook the showbiz space.

One such moment was the death of Ifeanyi Adeleke, son of popular Music Star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

This year brought the return of crowded in-person events; for example Big Brother Naija had its first live audience after it was halted due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Some celebrities in the industry also found love and walked down the aisle in 2022.

They are: Kemi Adetiba, MI and Rita Domnic.

Kemi Adetiba tied the knot with her husband Oscar Heman-Ackah in April, Rapper Jude Abaga, AkA MI married his fiancée Eniola Mafe in September, while Rita Dominic tied the knot with her fiance, Fidelos Anosike in November.

As we near the end of 2022, DAILY POST looks back at some of the biggest moments that defined the entertainment world this year.

Ifeanyi Adeleke

Ifeanyi Adeleke, son of music star, Davido was confirmed dead on November 6, 2022. Ifeanyi’s dead body was found in a swimming pool at his father’s residence in the Banana Island area of Lagos State while the parents were away to Ibadan.

The toddler’s death came as a rude shock to fans and well-meaning Nigerians.

His nanny and cook were detained for further interrogation concerning the duty of care. Due to the incident, the ‘Electricity’ crooner postponed his long-awaited 2022 Away Festival which was to be held in Atlanta on November 18.

Some of his colleagues rescheduled their concerts, project release dates and birthday parties to honour Ifeanyi.

Kizz Daniel’s arrest

Nigerian Singer, Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, AKA “Kizz Daniel” was arrested on August 9, 2022, for failing to perform at a gig, the Summer Amplified Show, in Tanzania.

Daniel had said he failed to perform for his thousands of expectant fans because his flight failed to bring one of his bags which contained a gold chain he wished to wear while performing. His behaviour disappointed many of his fans all over the world.

Kizz Daniel, however, apologised and pledged to “make it up” for the fans.

Asake concert rush

Two people died after a stampede broke out at the concert of popular Nigerian singer, Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake.

A stampede broke out at Asake’s London show at the O2 Brixton Academy, leading to the death of 33-year-old Rebecca Ikumelo, a 23-year-old security guard, Gaby Hutchinson, with many others injured.

In an emotional tribute to those who died during the stampede at his concert, Asake said he was devastated and overwhelmed.

According to the Metropolitan Police force, the event hall where Asake’s concert was held was constructed as a movie theatre in the 1920s and can accommodate just under 5,000 guests.

Portable’s threat and Headies Award

In May 2022, popular street-pop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, AKA Portable, threatened other artistes nominated alongside him in two categories of the Headies Award— ‘Rookie of the Year’, and ‘Best Street-Hop Artiste’.

Portable had said those are his awards and that if the organiser gives the award, he will ask ‘them’ to kill the person.

Shortly after the threat, a video of him ordering some boys to beat up his estranged friend, DJ Chicken, surfaced on the Internet. In reaction, the Nigeria Police Force issued an ultimatum to the singer to report to any police station in Ogun State.

In addition, the singer claimed to be the leader of the notorious cult group “One Million Boys’, a group known for terrorising and robbing Nigerians.

As a result of this, the organisers disqualified him from the Headies Award.

Halima Abubakar and Apostle Suleman

Famous actress, Halima Abubakar in June 2022 opened up on her affair with controversial cleric, Apostle Johnson Suleman.

The actress said she had an affair with the preacher because he told her he was a divorcee with three children.

She also accused him of reneging on his promise to marry her and being behind an undisclosed life-threatening ailment that had plagued her for years.

Halima also alleged that the cleric had sexual affairs with several actresses, including Shan George and Iyabo Ojo.

But in September 2022, the cleric who issued a warning notice to the actress, denied the allegation.

In the notice signed by Mr Adzuanaga, the cleric accused Ms Abubakar of publishing malicious, defamatory, and demeaning statements about the Apostle on several microblog sites, chiefly Gistlover.

The letter said Halima’s allegations were false, untrue, malicious, defamatory, baseless and a tool for blackmail.

The cleric through his lawyer also demanded that the actress publish a retraction of her earlier statements in five national dailies within three days.

They also demanded that she deliver a letter to the Apostle stating her full assurance and undertaking that she would desist from publishing previous and further defamatory statements against him and that she must repay him for all costs incurred in defending and protecting his reputation.

Having failed to do this, Halima Abubakar was dragged to court by Suleman’s legal representatives, Ephesus Lex Attorneys & Solicitors.

Baba Ijesha sentenced to prison

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on July 22nd convicted Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, AKA Baba Ijesha, to 16 years in prison concurrently for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old minor.

Baba Ijesha, who was arrested in April 2021, has been entangled in a messy rape trial for allegedly sexually assaulting Princess’s 14-year-old foster daughter.

Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the presiding Judge, in a two-hour judgement, convicted Baba Ijesha of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault.

He was found guilty of four of six offences; two charges attract five years, while the remaining two attract three years.

His 16-year jail term will run concurrently which means that the movie actor will spend five years behind bars.

Yul Edochie second marriage

Nigerians were utterly shocked in April 2022, after actor, Yul Edochie announced that he married a new wife, Judy Austin.

Yul also announced that they have a son together. This made his first wife of 18 years, May, to call for God’s judgement over the couple.

The actor said he married a second wife because he could not let go of his colleague-turned-wife.

According to him, she had made an impact on his life and a man can love two women.

However, Yul’s family members publicly disassociated themselves from his decision after the announcement.

Although he has severally apologised to his first wife, May insisted that she will not be cajoled to accept polygamy because it goes against her faith, values and belief.

NDLEA arrest De-General

In January 2022, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a popular Instagram comedian, Sunday Joshua, popularly known as De-General.

His arrest according to a statement by the NDLEA was consequent upon the raid of a notorious drug joint at Orchid Estate, Lekki area of Lagos State.

The statement added that illicit drugs exhibits, including Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol 225mg and some paraphernalia for drug use were found in his house.

NDLEA added that De-General in his confessional statement while in custody admitted ownership of the drugs recovered from his house.

Hushpuppi sentenced to prison

Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, a 40-year-old international fraudster

was sentenced by United States District Judge, Otis D. Wright II, to more than 11 years in prison.

Hushpuppi, who was arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in June 2020, had in April 2021 pleaded guilty to one-count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering.

He was also ordered to pay $1,732,841 in restitution to two fraud victims.

According to prosecutors, Abbas and a Canadian man laundered money through various online crimes, including bank cyberheists and business email.

James Brown sex tape

Popular controversial Nigerian crossdresser, James Chukwueze Obialor, popularly known as James Brown, was the major topic of discussion in October after his sexual intimacy video with a lady surfaced online.

The self-acclaimed princess of Africa’s explicit video was leaked on Snapchat.

James Brown was in the video seen performing sexual acts with a yet-to-be-unidentified lady, while his face and genitals were on full display.

He had in reaction to the leaked sex tape, said he was sad and depressed and the incident had denied him sleep.

Although the Nigerian entertainment scene is no stranger to leaked sex tape stories, James Brown’s tape stunned many who thought he was gay due to his lifestyle and nature of dressing.