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IPOB Sit-at-Home Counter Order: We have no intention of usurping IPOB’s powers, Kanu’s family apologises

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File image of Nnamdi Kanu when he was first brought to court on after his abduction and forceful extradition to Nigeria from Kenya.

The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has apologised to all those who felt offended by its decision to suspend IPOB’s August 9 sit-at-home order to press home its demand for unconditional Kanu’s release.

According to the family, the decision became imperative so as not to undermine the academic interest of Biafran children sitting for the ongoing National Examination Council, NECO.

The family, in a release by Prince Emmanuel Kanu, explained that the action, contrary to misconceptions in some quarters, was not taken to usurp the powers of IPOB or challenge the authorities of its hierarchy.

The statement said that the IPOB’s highest leadership was privy to the decision, adding that the Head of Directorate of State, Mazi Chika Edoziem, was also communicated before it was made public.

The family further dissociated itself from any monetary inducement from the government, saying that counter-order did not mean compromising the Biafra struggle.

It further sued for unity among Biafrans, while urging supporters of the struggle never to allow the issue to cause division among them.

The family also denied having been contacted by any South-East governor since their son was ‘abuducted’.

The statement read in part: “We the family of the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, have noted with concern mixed reactions that have trailed the counter order by the family against the Monday, August 9 planned sit-at-home order initially directed by IPOB.

“It must be understood that the action of the family was informed by the compelling need not to jeopardise the academic future of thousands of Biafran children sitting for the ongoing National Examination Council, NECO.

“Contrary to misconceptions in some quarters, the action of the family to counter the sit-at-home was not as a result of compromise or monetary inducement by the Government.

“It was also not to usurp the powers of IPOB or for any ulterior motive contrary to speculations.

“It’s unthinkable that the Kanu family, which has sacrificed almost everything including our parents, in the cause of this struggle would ever contemplate sabotaging the same struggle for which our first son is now being illegally detained.

“We understand the pains of IPOB members and millions of Biafrans who were already planning to observe the sit-at-home in solidarity with our detained son and IPOB leader.

“But we felt it was necessary to safeguard the future of millions of Biafran children first, hence the counter order which was only a temporary suspension and not outright cancellation of the plan.

“We considered the decision very imperative in the overall interest of Biafra at that critical moment.

“We equally want to place it on record that the highest leadership of IPOB was privy to the decision of the family and the Directorate of State, DOS, was duly communicated by the Lead Counsel, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

“It’s not the intention of the family to join issues with IPOB or other concerned Biafrans that have firmly stood behind our son in this struggle, but the Head of DOS, Chika Edoziem knows very well that he was communicated by the Lead Counsel before our decision was made public.

“It’s not in the interest of the struggle for us to allow our enemies to take advantage of this to polarise us or pitch the family against IPOB.

“We understand that every Biafran is concerned about the fate of our son and wants him released just as the family is also concerned.

“It, therefore, makes no sense for us to begin to misunderstand ourselves or give our enemies the loophole to infiltrate us and ridicule our efforts.

“If our action, which we considered was in the best interest of all Biafrans, was misconstrued or has offended any person, we hereby tender our unreserved apologies, and urge all Biafrans to remain united behind IPOB in this struggle.

“We are still brethren. We still have our respect for IPOB and do not in any way intend to usurp its powers or disparage its hierarchy.

“We equally wish to put it on record that till date no South-East governor has contacted the family since our son was abducted and detained.

“It is possible the governors are still planning but none of them has reached us or even spoken with us let alone inducing us contrary to insinuations in some quarters.

“It is unfair for anyone to blackmail the family for a selfless decision it took.

“We appreciate very profoundly all Biafrans, particularly the IPOB family members for their solidarity and unwavering support to our son.

“It’s our prayer that Biafran shall be fully restored in the shortest possible time.”

Culled from the Vanguard News Nigeria

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Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.

In the suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Emilio Garcia said that after a night out in 2022 in Ibiza, Spain, he was in an SUV with the hip-hop star when she began having sex with another woman right next to him. He was unable to get out of the moving car, and would have been in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country even if he was able. Garcia was “embarrassed, mortified and offended throughout the whole ordeal,” according to the lawsuit.

Alex Spiro, Megan’s lawyer, said she would fight the lawsuit in court.

“This is an employment claim for money — with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her,” Spiro said.

The next day Megan told Garcia never to discuss what he saw and berated and fat-shamed him, the lawsuit said. The complaint also said Garcia, who had already considered quitting because he was overworked and underpaid in a hostile work environment aggravated by Megan’s possessiveness and abusiveness, was misclassified as an independent contractor but treated as an exclusive employee.

Garcia raised those issues in the conversation with Megan, and was fired the following day after four years of working for her, the suit said. He has since filed a job discrimination complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.

The lawsuit, first reported by NBC News, names as defendants Megan, whose legal name is Megan Pete; her companies Megan Thee Stallion Entertainment and Hot Girl Touring; and her label, Roc Nation. A defense response has yet to be filed. There was no immediate response to an email seeking comment from a representative of Roc Nation.

Garcia is seeking financial damages to be determined at trial, alleging he has suffered severely both emotionally and physically because of his treatment on the job, the firing and having to witness the scene in the SUV.

Megan, 29, was previously involved in major legal drama — and underwent a torrent of online abuse — as the victim of a shooting by rapper Tory Lanez, who a jury found fired at her feet on a street in the Hollywood Hills in 2020. She testified at the trial where jurors convicted Lanez of three felonies and a judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Already a major rising artist at the time of the shooting, Megan has since become one of hip-hop’s biggest stars. She won a Grammy for best new artist in 2021, and she had No. 1 singles with “Savage,” featuring Beyoncé, and as a guest on Cardi B’s “WAP.”

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Body of O.J. Simpson to be cremated this week; brain will not be studied for CTE

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April 15 (UPI) — The body of O.J. Simpson, who died last week at the age of 76, is to be cremated, a lawyer representing the ex-football superstar’s estate said, adding his brain will not be donated for research.

Malcolm LaVergne, Simpson’s longtime attorney and executor, told the New York Post that his client’s body is to be cremated Tuesday in Las Vegas.

He said Simpson’s family also gave a “hard no” to scientists seeking to examine the former running back’s brain for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is better known as CTE.

CTE is a rare and little understood brain disorder that is likely caused by repeated blows to the head. According to the Mayo Clinic, CTE results in the death of nerve cells in the brain and the only way to definitively diagnose it is with an autopsy of the organ after death.

Memory and thinking problems, confusion, personality changes and erratic behavior, including aggression, depression and suicidal ideation, are among CTE’s symptoms, the Alzheimer’s Association said.

The disease has been found in those who play contact sports, including football and hockey.

LaVergne confirmed to NBC News on Sunday that at least one person has called seeking Simpson’s brain.

“His entire body, including his brain, will be cremated,” he said.

Simpson died Wednesday following a battle with cancer.

Known by the nickname “The Juice,” Simpson was a NFL superstar during the 1970s, which made him a household name that propelled him into film and television during the next decade.

But his stardom would come crashing down in the mid-1990s when he was accused of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

His high-profile trial lasted months, but ended with his acquittal.

In 2008, he was found guilty on a dozen charges, including kidnapping and armed robbery, and was paroled in 2017 after serving nine years of his 33-year sentence.

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Houston’s Urban South Brewery Celebrates Fourth Anniversary

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Urban South Brewery Houston will host its upcoming Anniversary Party from Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7, in the HTX Taproom, starting at 11 AM, celebrating four years of crafting exceptional brews and fostering community culture. This milestone event will be an exciting day featuring live music, food, activities, and a vendor market.

Beer enthusiasts are also in for a treat with the release of four exclusive anniversary specialty beers. Highlights include “Press Start,” a crafted Czech Pale Lager brewed in collaboration with Parleaux Beer Lab. Additionally, beer fans can indulge in “Level Up,” an Old-Fashioned Cocktail Sour Ale infused with orange peel, Luxardo cherry syrup, and subtle bourbon barrel notes. The offerings continue with “High Score,” a robust Double IPA bursting with flavors of Mosaic, Citra, and Chinook hops, and “Game Over,” a decadent Neapolitan Ice Cream Stout layered with strawberry fruit, Tahitian vanilla bean, and milk chocolate.

To make the celebration even more memorable, fans can pre-order an Exclusive 8-Bit Beer Box featuring the four-anniversary specialty beers (Press Start, Level Up, High Score, Game Over), a 16oz can-shaped Silipint with discounted refills, and 2 tokens redeemable for draft beer.

The Anniversary Party is open to the public, welcoming families and furry friends. Urban South Brewery invites everyone to join in the festivities and toast to four years of brewing excellence.

For more information on Urban South’s Anniversary Celebration, follow the Houston taproom on Instagram and Facebook.

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