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The Lagos State Government is set to blacklist music star, Davido; Comedian and film producer, Ayo ‘AY’ Makun and other celebrities accused of tax evasion.

This is coming as the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice vows that the days of treating celebrities like sacred cows are over.

On January 14, it was reported that Davido and AY have been charged to court over tax evasion.

While Davido, the chief executive officer of HKN Music, was charged before a Lagos High Court in July 2017, AY’s case was instituted in 2016.

“Despite their huge earnings, neither of them has ever filed tax returns as required by law or paid any amount. Rather, they are claiming residency in their states of origin,” a source in the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit which was set up in March 2016 to aid the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) in its tax collection drive told Qed.ng, an online newspaper.

Dismissing the argument that Davido and AY pay their taxes in Osun and Ondo States as their respective states of origin, the source added that “the tax law states that individuals pay to their state of residence.

Davido’s father, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, pays his tax to the Lagos State Government.

The singer, who lives and claims to have made N500 million from his last show in Lagos, cannot be ignorant of that trite law.

“If his father who has a bigger connection to Osun pays his tax in Lagos, we wonder what must have informed Davido’s excuse of paying to a state where he was not born, and where he neither lives nor does any significant business.”

Beyond prosecuting celebrity tax defaulters, Qed.ng learned that the state government is planning to stop patronising them.

Davido was one of the stars contracted and paid to perform at the 2017 edition of the annual One Lagos Fiesta organised by the state government in December.

The state also supported the annual AY Live comedy show held at the Eko Convention Centre on April 16, 2017.

“Davido, AY and other artistes have benefitted from the huge investment the Lagos State Government is making in art, culture and tourism. Now, they risk being blacklisted for not fulfilling their civic responsibilities.

“The days of treating celebrities like sacred cows are over. Those who do not file their tax returns will lose juicy Lagos deals in addition to prosecution by the state government,” the source concluded.

QED.ng

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BREAKING: Legendary Music Producer Quincy Jones Dies At 91

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Quincy Jones, a renowned music producer and composer, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024, in California. He was 91 years old.

His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed the news without disclosing the cause of death.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” the Jones family said in the statement. “He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.” he said in a statement.

 

More to come…

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Femi Kuti Names Obasanjo, MKO Abiola Family’s Enemies

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Afrobeat star, Femi Kuti has pointed out that his own ethnic group, the Yoruba, has been the biggest adversary to his family.

Speaking at the 2024 Felaberation Festival in Lagos, Femi specifically mentioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late businessman MKO Abiola as significant enemies of the Kuti family.

He acknowledged his father and grandmother as prominent Pan-Africanists, further emphasizing that his family was raised without tribalistic tendencies, drawing inspiration from Pan-Africanism.

Addressing the crowd, Femi stated, “Brothers and sisters, something very important is going on in our lives; ethnic problems. You call it tribalism. Please, do not bring the Anikulapos in your stupidity.”

He continued by saying, “We grew up with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Patrice Lumumba, Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

“Pan-Africanism was the order of the day. So, I didn’t grow up being sentimental. I saw good people, bad people. I’ve got great European friends, I’ve got terrible European friends. I’ve got great African friends, I’ve got terrible African friends.

“One of our [the Kuti family’s] greatest enemies as you know are Yoruba people; Obasanjo or Abiola. We are not tribalistic in our family.”

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BON 2024: Madam Saje, Kanayo O Kanayo Set To Bag Lifetime Achievement Awards

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With the Kwara State government set to host the prestigious Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards on November 24, esteemed actors, Fausat Balogun, popular as Madam Saje, and Kanayo O Kanayo are poised to recieve the Best of Nollywood Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2024.

The announcement was made by Seun Oloketuyi, founder, BON Awards, earlier in the week.

With the announcement the duo are set to join other Nollywood greats in the league of Lifetime Achievement Award winners. On this list are people like Adebayo Salami, Toyin Adegbola, Madam Kofo, and others.

While speaking about the duo, Oloketuyi explained that there was a need to start celebrating film heroes in their lifetime, when they can enjoy the accolades.

He said , “Why must we wait till our film heroes are dead to give them awards? Posthumous awards are good, but its better the recipient is alive to recieve awards.”

Also weighing in, Feranmi Olaoye, the Executive Producer BON Awards revealed that the choice of Kanayo and Madam Saje were not made lightly.

“These two are people we grew up watching. They inspired the generation we watch now, and they still maintained their stand in the industry. They deserve to be celebrated, and that’s why we have chosen them as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

The 2024 edition of the BON Awards is billed to hold at the Sugar Factory Film Studios in Ilorin, the state’s latest hub for filmmakers.

Oloketuyi had earlier expressed excitement about Kwara’s role as host, promising a fulfilling experience for the expected 500 Nollywood stars attending.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had also highlighted the studio’s potential to elevate Nigerian cinematography and promote local talent. The event underscores Kwara’s commitment to becoming a leading destination in the creative industry, fostering growth and investment in the sector.

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