Entertainment

Nollywood Actor Okemesi Confirmed Dead After Brief Illness

Published

6 months ago

February 25, 2026

Nollywood actor Okemesi, whose real name is Bamidele Oluwatope Saint

Nollywood actor Bamidele Oluwatope Saint (Okemesi)

Nollywood Actor Okemesi Confirmed Dead After Brief Illness

The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of Nollywood actor Okemesi, whose real name is Bamidele Oluwatope Saint. The comic star reportedly passed away on Tuesday after suffering complications during a recent hospital admission.

According to close associates, the actor slipped into a coma following medical treatment and was later pronounced dead. The heartbreaking announcement was made by fellow actor and colleague Jeff Owolewa, popularly known as Tony Montana, who shared the news in an emotional video message.

Reports indicate that the Nollywood star had been battling health challenges prior to his hospitalization. Sources within the entertainment community revealed that complications from medication contributed to his deteriorating condition. Jeff Owolewa disclosed that doctors confirmed Okemesi’s death at about 11:50 a.m., bringing an end to days of uncertainty surrounding his health.

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News of the Okemesi death has sparked widespread reactions across social media, with fans and colleagues expressing shock and sadness. Many described him as a talented comic actor whose unique delivery and humorous roles earned him a loyal following. The late actor was particularly known for his vibrant screen presence and contributions to indigenous Yoruba-language productions, where he carved a niche for himself as a comic personality.

Before his passing, Okemesi had reportedly appealed for financial assistance to manage ongoing medical challenges. His death has once again raised conversations about healthcare support and welfare structures for actors within the Nigerian film industry. As tributes continue to pour in, family members and colleagues are expected to announce funeral arrangements in the coming days.

The Nollywood actor’s death marks another significant loss for Nigeria’s entertainment sector, leaving fans remembering his legacy of laughter, resilience, and dedication to his craft.

Nollywood Actor Okemesi Confirmed Dead After Brief Illness

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DSS review stalls release of Apo Six movie in Nigerian cinemas

Published

2 days ago

August 28, 2026

Trends Admin

DSS review stalls release of Apo Six movie in Nigerian cinemas

The planned cinema release of The Night of June 7th, a film inspired by the controversial Apo Six killings in Abuja, has been suspended following a decision by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to refer the movie to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further review.

The film was scheduled to open in cinemas nationwide on Friday, August 28, 2026, but its release has now been put on hold pending the outcome of the regulatory and security review.

The Night of June 7th was written and produced by Linda Ikeji and directed by Toka McBaror. The movie seeks to dramatise the events surrounding the deaths of six young Nigerians in Abuja on June 7, 2005, in a case that became widely known as the Apo Six killings.

The distributor, Nile Entertainment, confirmed the suspension in a statement signed by its General Manager, Nowe Segun-Ojo, on August 26.

According to the distributor, the NFVCB reviewed the film before referring it to the DSS for additional review and advice.

Nile Entertainment said the producer and distributor would comply with the directive and suspend the film’s release, distribution and public exhibition until the review process is completed and the necessary approvals are secured.

The distributor added that a new release date would be announced once the regulatory process had been concluded.

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The suspension does not necessarily constitute a permanent ban on the movie. Instead, the film remains on hold while the relevant authorities assess the production.

The Apo Six case dates back to June 7, 2005, when six young Nigerians — Ifeanyi Ozor, Chinedu Meniru, Ekene Isaac Mgbe, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwokike and Augustina Arebu — were killed in Abuja following an encounter with police officers.

The incident generated widespread public outrage and raised concerns about police brutality, extrajudicial killings and accountability in Nigeria.

The victims were initially accused of being armed robbers, but the circumstances surrounding their deaths subsequently became the subject of investigations, public debate and lengthy legal proceedings.

Several police officers were prosecuted over the killings. In March 2017, an FCT High Court sentenced former police officers Ezekiel Acheneje and Emmanuel Baba to death over their roles in the incident, while former Deputy Commissioner of Police Danjuma Ibrahim and another defendant were discharged and acquitted. Another accused officer, Othman Abdulsalam, was reported to be at large.

The case has remained an important reference point in discussions about police accountability and human rights in Nigeria, more than two decades after the killings.

The decision to adapt the case into a feature film had attracted considerable attention because of the sensitivity of the subject and its place in Nigeria’s recent history.

The movie features a cast including Femi Branch, Ali Nuhu, Gideon Okeke and Charles Lenny, among others, and previously premiered at the NollywoodWeek Film Festival in 2025.

Its planned nationwide cinema release was expected to bring the events surrounding the Apo Six case to a wider audience and renew public discussion about the circumstances surrounding the killings.

However, audiences will now have to wait for the outcome of the DSS review before the movie can be released.

Nile Entertainment said it remains committed to working with the relevant regulatory authorities and expressed appreciation for the patience of audiences, exhibitors, partners and other stakeholders.

The distributor has not disclosed how long the review is expected to last or provided a specific date for the film’s rescheduled cinema release.

For now, The Night of June 7th remains unavailable for public exhibition in Nigerian cinemas until the regulatory process is completed and the necessary clearance is obtained.

DSS review stalls release of Apo Six movie in Nigerian cinemas

Entertainment

Poco Lee to face UK court September 15 over alleged rape and assault charges

Published

4 days ago

August 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian dancer and performer Iweh Pascal Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee

Poco Lee to face UK court September 15 over alleged rape and assault charges

Nigerian dancer and performer Iweh Pascal Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, is scheduled to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court in London on September 15, 2026, over allegations involving serious sexual offences.

The court has confirmed that the case is listed for plea and trial preparation on September 15. James Baker, an administrative team lead at the court, confirmed the listing in correspondence with TheCable Lifestyle.

“I can confirm that this case is currently listed at Snaresbrook Crown Court for plea and trial preparation on the 15th September 2026,” Baker said.

According to the court information reported by TheCable Lifestyle, Poco Lee faces five charges — attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.

The court has stressed that the allegations remain unproven. Poco Lee is presumed innocent and can only be found guilty if the allegations are established through the legal process.

The September 15 hearing is expected to focus on plea and trial preparation, marking a significant procedural stage in the case. Further details about the proceedings, including the eventual trial arrangements, will be determined by the court.

The case emerged publicly after reports circulated online that Poco Lee had been arrested in the United Kingdom over alleged sexual offences. The reports quickly attracted attention in Nigeria, particularly among members of the entertainment industry.

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Several of Poco Lee’s colleagues and associates have since reacted to the development. Filmmaker TG Omori expressed concern over the reports, describing the dancer as one of the “purest souls” he had encountered.

“It breaks my heart to hear Poco Lee in this sort of mess. That’s the purest soul I have ever met. The devil really works overtime,” Omori wrote in a social media post.

Dancer Rahman Jago also reacted to the development as discussions surrounding the case intensified online.

Poco Lee’s management has meanwhile urged the public to distinguish between the formal allegations before the court and claims circulating on social media.

The management specifically disputed reports that drink spiking was part of the case. In a statement signed by Adedoyin Faleye on behalf of the management, the team said the claim was not contained in the charges before the UK court.

The management also warned against the circulation of unverified narratives, stressing that the case should be allowed to proceed through the appropriate legal channels rather than being decided through public opinion.

The clarification comes amid widespread discussion online, where different accounts of the allegations have circulated without independent verification. Details concerning the complainant and the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences have not been fully disclosed publicly.

Poco Lee has not publicly commented on the specific allegations or the court’s confirmation of the September 15 hearing.

The entertainer has established himself as one of Nigeria’s prominent dancers and performers, gaining widespread recognition through dance performances, music collaborations and appearances within the Nigerian entertainment industry.

His legal case in the UK has now attracted significant public attention, but the court process remains at a preliminary stage.

The September 15 hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court is expected to provide the next major development in the case as the court considers the plea and preparations required ahead of any trial.

Until the case is determined, the allegations against Poco Lee remain unproven, and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair hearing.

Poco Lee to face UK court September 15 over alleged rape and assault charges

Entertainment

Ogogo’s First Wife Opens Up: Why He Asked Me to Quit Acting After Marriage

Published

5 days ago

August 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Late veteran Yoruba actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo and First Wife, Ajoke Taiwo

Ogogo’s First Wife Opens Up: Why He Asked Me to Quit Acting After Marriage

Ajoke Taiwo, the first wife of late Nollywood veteran Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has opened up about their 30-year marriage and revealed why the late actor asked her to leave the movie industry after they got married, sharing that she was already an actress before Ogogo joined their theatre group.

Ajoke Taiwo, the first wife of late veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has opened up about their marriage and revealed why she stopped acting after they got married . Ajoke, who spoke following the death of the veteran actor in a viral video, said she was already an actress before Ogogo joined their acting group . According to her, the late actor later asked her to leave acting after their marriage and focus on raising their children .

“We used to act together, in fact, I started before him, before he joined our group then. However, when we got married, he asked me to stop acting and focus on raising the kids,” Ajoke said .

Following her exit from the movie industry, Ajoke took up hairdressing, a profession she has continued to pursue ever since . She later became known within her community as “Iya Jesu,” a nickname reflecting her devout Christian faith . Notably, while Ogogo remained a devout Muslim throughout his life, Ajoke practised Christianity, with the couple maintaining their individual faiths within their household . Together, Ajoke and Ogogo raised two daughters, Halima Taiwo and Shakira Taiwo, whose names reflect the blended religious and cultural identity of their upbringing . Ogogo would later marry a second wife, a family structure common within certain Nigerian cultural and religious contexts, particularly among devout Muslim households of his generation .

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Speaking about Ogogo, Ajoke described him as a caring and loving husband, saying his death had left a huge void in her life . “My husband was a good person, a caring husband. He loved me so much. After him, it is God. His death is a big loss to me,” she said . Describing the depth of their bond, she added: “He was like a father and mother to me. He stood by me during the times of trial. He was my everything” .

Ajoke revealed that she was married to the veteran actor for more than 30 years . She also shared a touching detail about how her late husband reacted whenever she became extremely angry with him. According to her, Taiwo Hassan would become so emotionally affected that he would eventually require hospital care . “He never wanted me to get angry at him. Whenever I get extremely angry, he used to land at the hospital because he would be so hurt,” she recalled . Speaking about his death, she said the loss had left a deep wound that she believed would never completely heal . “What God took from me is so big and it really hurts me but I can’t question Him. This is a wound that can never heal,” she said .

Ogogo, who died after battling stage-four cancer, was buried according to Islamic rites in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, on August 24, 2026, at the age of 66 . His burial was attended by several Nollywood stars, including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Fausat Balogun, Toyosi Adesanya, and Femi Adebayo, along with family members and residents who gathered to bid farewell . Taiwo Hassan, who spent over four decades in Yoruba-language Nollywood, appeared in landmark films from Owo Blow in the 1990s through to Aníkúlápó in more recent years . He came from a family of twins, and his death came days after his daughters made emotional appeals for urgent medical assistance .