Entertainment
U.S court dismisses fraud case against Hushpuppi’s alleged accomplice
A United States court has dismissed a case against Olalekan Ponle, popularly known on social media as Woodbery, who was an alleged accomplice to Hushpuppi.
Woodberry was arrested alongside his fellow Nigerian friend, Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi) in the United Arab Emirate on June 10 for multiple fraud charges after a raid by operatives of the Dubai crime unit. The duo was extradited to the U.S. on July 2.
In a report by premiumtimesng.com the United States government on Monday filed a motion through its attorney, John R. Lausch, requesting that the case against Mr Ponle should be dismissed without prejudice.
“Counsel for the government has spoken with counsel for the defendant and defendant’s counsel has no objection to this motion. Respectfully submitted,” Mr Lausch stated. He said it is in pursuant with Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 48, which states that the government may, with leave of court, dismiss an indictment, information, or complaint.
Also, the government may not dismiss the prosecution during the trial without the defendant’s consent. A court order issued by Judge Robert W. Gettleman on Tuesday said the government’s motion to dismiss the complaint without prejudice was granted.
“Without objection, the complaint against defendant Ponle is dismissed without prejudice. Motion presentment hearing set for 7/23/2020 is stricken,” Mr Gettleman ruled. When a case is dismissed with prejudice, it is over and done with, once and for all, and can’t be brought back to court.
Entertainment
Kafui Danku upbeat about future of creative industry
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Film Authority (GFA) and celebrated actress, Kafui Danku, has expressed confidence in the future of Ghana’s creative industry after attending the 24-Hour Economy conference at the Bank of Ghana on Tuesday in Accra.
The event, designed to boost the creative arts and tourism sectors, brought together top leaders, policymakers, and industry players to discuss how Ghana’s economy could thrive beyond the usual working hours.
Key figures at the event included the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, the presidential advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, Goosie Tanoh, and respected legal expert, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu. Their presence showed the government’s commitment to making the creative industry more vibrant and financially rewarding.
The discussions centered on how film, music, and tourism could function around the clock, creating jobs and new opportunities for creatives.
Kafui Danku, a strong advocate for the film industry, shared her excitement about the initiative. In a social media post, she hinted at “exciting times ahead,” sparking discussions among creatives eager to see how this policy will benefit them.
Many believe this could be a turning point for Ghana’s entertainment sector, making nightlife, cinemas, music shows, and tourism activities more profitable and globally competitive.
The National Film Authority (NFA), which plays a key role in shaping the future of Ghana’s film industry, was also actively involved in the discussions.
A successful implementation of the 24-Hour Economy could mean more job opportunities, increased revenue, and a stronger international presence for Ghana’s creative sector.
As conversations continue, industry players remain optimistic about the possibilities ahead.
The hope is that with the right policies and government support, Ghana’s entertainment and tourism sectors will see massive growth, benefiting both industry professionals and the nation as a whole.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Entertainment
Voice of Pentecost holds listening party
The music ministry of the Church of Pentecost, known as Voice of Pentecost (VOP) has organised a music listening party.
The event held on Friday, March 14, in Accra brought together some influential radio, TV presenters and other industry players.
The event showcased carefully selected tracks from the Voice of Pentecost, offering these industry experts an opportunity to listen, share their insights, and provide valuable feedback.
This was made possible through a collaborative effort between Pent Media Centre and The Voice of Pentecost.
In all 17 songs were played for the key industry players to listen to, out of which they made suggestions on which ones to release ahead of the album.
Also, they made suggestions as to which ones should make the cut for the album.
Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, expressed his appreciation, adding that the church was blessed with songs for many years.
For this reason, they decided to put in place mechanisms to ensure their songs make waves throughout the country and beyond.
Against this backdrop, they brought together the industry people for their input to help carry the gospel through music.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
