Junior Pope’s death, Bobrisky jailed, AY’s marital crisis… top stories of last week 

Last week was eventful in showbiz. TheCable Lifestyle looks at top entertainment stories that got people talking in the past seven days.

JUNIOR POPE DIES IN BOAT MISHAP 

Junior Pope Odonwodo, the Nollywood actor, died in a boat mishap that claimed the lives of four other people. 

Pope and some other crew members lost their lives on Wednesday after their boat capsised inside River Niger in Asaba, Delta state. 

They were on their way to a movie location.

Following his demise, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) suspended all movies involving riverine locations. 

The guild also set up a committee to improve the safety of its members.

Tributes have continued to pour in for the actor from colleagues and friends. 

BOBRISKY JAILED OVER NAIRA ABUSE

Idris Okuneye, the self-acclaimed crossdresser fondly called Bobrisky, was sentenced to six months in prison after she was found guilty of abusing the naira.

Abimbola Awogboro, a judge of the federal high court in Lagos, in her verdict, ruled that the sentence is without the option of a fine.

She also ruled that the jail term commences on March 24, the day of her arrest.

The judge said the verdict would serve as a deterrent to other persons fond of abusing and mutilating the Nigerian currency.

COURT FINES HALIMA ABUBAKAR N10M FOR DEFAMING APOSTLE SULEMAN 

Last week, a federal high court in Abuja ordered Halima Abubakar, the actress, to pay N10 million as damages for publishing derogatory remarks against Apostle Johnson Suleman, the general overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries International. 

In 2022, Halima called out Suleman on social media while claiming the pair once dated.

But Suleman threatened to sue her for “defamatory statements”.

But during the court sitting on Monday, Suleman accused Halima of publishing derogatory comments against him on her Instagram page.

In his verdict, Enobie Obanor, the presiding judge, directed Abubakar to publish a retraction of her defamatory statements on her Instagram page.

The judge also barred the actress from any further publication on Suleman.

AY, MABEL MAKUN SPLIT AFTER 16 YEARS  

Last week, Mabel Makun finally confirmed her separation from AY Makun, the comedian.

Mabel and AY tied the knot in 2008. Their union is blessed with two children.

Earlier in the year, they unfollowed each other on Instagram, spurring a crisis in their marriage. This was after Mabel alleged a threat to her life.

On April 7, AY Makun revealed that his 20-year-old friendship and marriage are “slipping off” his hands.

Mabel referred to AY as “my ex-husband”, saying “it’s unexpected for things to end this way”.

She revealed that “my dream of a lifelong marriage has taken a different direction now” but she will continue to move forward.

ACTOR JAMIU AZEEZ OPENS UP ON BATTLING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

Jamiu Azeez, the Yoruba actor, opened up on his battle with depression and suicidal thoughts.

The actor revealed that he has been “depressed” for two years but kept mum due to “the fear of being mocked”.

He said nothing has been working for him and he felt lost and unsure of who to confide in.

Azeez said he reached out to actress Toyin Abraham, and she gave him a listening ear.