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‘Shanty Town’, ‘Herdsmen’, ‘Underbelly’ Dominate BON Nomination List

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Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards has officially released nominations lists and categories for the 2023 Nollywood award ceremony. Stylised as BON Awards, the annual film event honors outstanding achievements in the Nigerian movie industry.

In the just-released nominee list, Shanty Town, Herdsmen, and Underbelly dominate the line-up of various categories.

Shanty Town, a 2023 Nigerian crime thriller created by Xavier Ighorodje, Chichi Nworah and produced by Chinenye Nworah, bagged 15 of the total 29 categories of the BON Awards.

The six-part series released to Netflix on 20 January 2023 featured series stars Chidi Mokeme,

Ini Edo, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Sola Sobowale, Nancy Isime, Shaffy Bello, Ali

Nuhu and a host of other actors brought their A-game to make the series one of the most wattheir and talked-about in the year under review.

Also leading with 11 nominations is Herdsmen produced by Chloe Coko and directed by Toka Mcbaror. The movie which was shot in Kaduna is based on mix fiction and first-hand experience, takes a look at the herdsmen-farmer crisis in Nigeria.

The movie which boast of stars like Efe Irele, Ali Nuhu, Nura M.C Khan, Colins Baror, Chuks Chyke, Broda Shaggy, Perry, Ime Bishop Umoh and others as it talks about the the misconception about herders and how evil people have used the good name “Herdsmen” to perpetrate crimes.

Nonetheless, Underbelly also takes the stage with 11 nominations. The movie is produced by Tunde Aina. The movie is a thrilling and suspenseful epic that explores the themes of love, betrayal, and survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment.

Underbelly is the story of two friends who travel from the western part of Nigeria to the north in a pursuit of greener pastures. Things Fall apart when one of them falls in love with the wrong woman.

BON Awards which was first held in December 2009, in Ikeja, Lagos State has continued to be a creative strata for the Nigerian movie industry. Every edition of the award ceremony is usually hosted by different states in Nigeria including Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kano, Ekiti, Delta, Abia amnig others. The host state for the 2023 edition will be unveiled soon.

This year’s edition of the annual award ceremony will hold on December 22. A full compilation of the award ceremony is listed below.

BEST CHILD ACTOR (FEMALE)

Nominees

1. Princess Kosi (The Other one)

2. Angel (Here Love Lies)

3. Fisayomi Amodemaja (Keji)

4. Darasimi Nadi (Obara’m)

2. BEST SOCIAL MESSAGE Nominees

1. Black Harvest

2. Asa

3. Sister

4. Herdsmen

5. SHANTY Town

3. BEST SHORT FILM

Nominees

1. Za

2. Agogo

3. A Playboy’s nightmare

4. She was not at war, I was

5. Tales of the browbeaten

4. DOCUMENTARY

Genius in Disguise

5. SPECIAL EFFECT

Nominees

1. Underbelly

2. Herdsmen

3. Shanty Town

4. Ite

5. Inadvertence

6. SOUND TRACK

Nominees

1. Obara’m

2. The other one

3. Underbelly

4. Herdsmen

5. Inadvertence

7. SOUND

Nominees

1. Shanty Town

2. Here Love Lies

3. House of Secrets

4. Herdsmen

5. Obara’m

8. BEST USE OF COSTUME

Nominees

1. Dice

2. Herdsmen

3. Underbelly

4. Ite

5. Shanty Town

9. SCREENPLAY

Nominees

1. Afamefuna

2. Asa

3. 50/50

4. Here love lies

5. The other one

10. USE OF FOOD

Nominees

1. Ifedichie

2. Time Travel

3. Inadvertence

4. Here Love Lies

5. 50/50

11. BEST KISS

Nominees

1. Kiki Bakare/Mimisola Daniels (Egun)

2. Efe Irele/Shawn Faqua (House of Secrets)

3. Olu Adebamowo/Kiitan Bukola (Square One

12. BEST USE OF MAKE UP

Nominees

1. SOJ

2. Shanty Town

3. Underbelly

4. Herdsmen

13. EDITING

Nominees

1. House of Secrets

2. Shanty Town

3. Black Harvest

4. The other one

5. Keji

14. PRODUCTION DESIGN

Nominees

1. Underbelly

2. Herdsmen

3. Black Harvest

4. House of Secrets

5. Shanty Town

15. CINEMATOGRAPHY

Nominees

1. House of Secrets

2. Shanty Town

3. Ite

4. Herdsmen

5. Underbelly

16. MOST PROMISING ACTOR

Nominees

1. Smart Conrad (Underbelly)

Nura Mc Khan (Herdsmen)

3. Olu Adebamowo (Square one)

4. Olaiya Temitope (Inadvertence)

17. MOST PROMISING ACTRESS

Nominees

1. Tierny Olalere (Inadvertence)

2. Chinelo Enemchukwu (Ifedichie)

3. 50/50 (Funke Tanimola)

4. Olusola Adeola (Time Travel)

18. BEST INDIGENOUS

Nominees

1. Afamefuna

2. Obara’m

3. Ifedichie

4. Underbelly

5. Herdsmen

19. IGBO FILM

1. IFEDICHIE

20.BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (YORUBA)

Nominees

1. Ibrahim Yekini (SOJ)

2. Jide Awobona (Square one)

3. Funsho Adeolu (Asa)

4. Olaitan Jewola (Alebu Ara)

5. Muyiwa Ademola (Time Travel)

21. BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (YORUBA)

Nominees

1. Kiitan Bukola (Egun)

2. Habiba Jinad (Alebu Ara)

3. Damipe Adekola (Ite)

4. Jumoke Odetola (Square One)

5. Regina Chukwu (Adaba)

22.BEST ACTOR IN A YORUBA MOVIE.

Nominees

1. Rotimi Salami (Adaba)

2. Ibrahim Yekini (Igboro)

Kiki Bakare (Egun)

4. Niyi Johnson (Time Travel)

5. Mustipha Solagbade (50/50)

23. BEST ACTRESS IN A YORUBA MOVIE

Nominees

1. Mercy Aigbe (Romola Alakara)

2. Damilola Oni (Ite)

3. Anike Ami (Igboro)

4. Mimisola Daniels (Egun)

5. Debbie Sokoya (Keji)

24. BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE ENGLISH

Nominees

1. Stan Nze (Underbelly)

2. Ali Nuhu (Herdsmen)

3. Zubby Michael (SHANTY Town)

4. Kalu Ikeagu (The Other one)

5. Femi Jacob (House of Secrets)

25.BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE ENGLISH

Nominees

1. Princess Nwokoye (Strained)

2. Omowunmi Dada (Here Love Lies)

3. Jasmine Naza Onyia (Ifedichie)

4. Nse Npe Etim (SHANTY Town)

5. Lillian Amah (The Other One)

26. BEST ACTRESS IN AN ENGLISH MOVIE

Nominees

1. Tracy George (Strained)

2. Lucy Ameh (The Other One)

3. Ini Edo (SHANTY Town)

4. Najite Dede (House of Secrets)

5. Chinelo Enemchukwu (Ifedichie)

27. BEST ACTOR IN AN ENGLISH MOVIE

Nominees

1. Chidi Mokeme (SHANTY Town)

2. Kelechi Udegbe (The Other One)

3. Tim Shelburne (Here Love Lies)

Shawn Faqua (House of Secrets)

5. Smart Conrad (Underbelly)

28. DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Nominees

1. Biodun Stephen (Sista)

2. Dimeji Ajibola (Shanty Town)

3. Tope Oshin (Here Love lies)

4. Toka Mcbaror (Herdsmen)

5. Kayode Kasum (Obara’m)

29. MOVIE OF THE YEAR

Nominees

1. Shanty Town

2. Underbelly

3. Here Love lies

4. Herdsmen

5. Black Harvest

 

BIG STORY

Buhari Never Honoured Anyone The Way Tinubu Did To Him — Shehu Sani

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Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, stated that while he was alive, late President Muhammadu Buhari never paid tribute to anyone in the same way President Bola Tinubu did for him.

He mentioned that Tinubu declared a public holiday on the day of Buhari’s funeral, personally attended the burial, and also renamed a federal institution in Buhari’s honour, among other gestures.

Sani referred to these actions as extraordinary and worthy of recognition.

He took to X to outline the several ways Tinubu showed respect to his predecessor.

These actions included declaring a public holiday, being physically present at Buhari’s burial, visiting his family, holding a Federal Executive Council meeting in his memory, and renaming a university to commemorate him.

The President physically attended the burial of Buhari, met with his family, declared a public holiday, held a FEC meeting in his honor and renamed a university to immortalise him.

Something even the late President never did to others. And yet they said he is ‘exploiting the death of Buhari’.

What would they have said if he had done none of the above? Politics is something else, the senator tweeted.

The post continued to draw reactions, with over 1,000 likes recorded at the time this report was made.

Sani’s statement came amid increasing political discourse regarding Tinubu’s actions following Buhari’s death, especially from opposition groups.

His remarks appeared to be a direct response to criticisms from parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which accused Tinubu’s administration of leveraging Buhari’s death for image-boosting.

Presidential media aide, Sunday Dare, dismissed ADC’s claims, describing them as nothing but an opportunistic exercise in manufactured outrage.

He pointed out the irony of the same party accusing Tinubu of politicising Buhari’s passing while also trying to gain attention by speaking ill of the late president.

Their latest press release alleging that President Tinubu’s government is ‘exploiting’ the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari for political gain is not only dishonest.

It is an insult to millions of Nigerians who genuinely mourned the loss of a statesman, and who watched the State Burial accorded Buhari with solemn respect and dignity, he said.

He added that the funeral was held with full honours appropriate for a former leader, and witnessed by dignitaries worldwide, with millions following on various media platforms.

According to him, Tinubu is not chasing superficial popularity but rather letting his growing accomplishments speak louder than the distractions posed by groups like the ADC.

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BIG STORY

Court Jails Gospel Singer Moses Otitoju, Eight Others For Cybercrime

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The Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has sentenced Moses Otitoju, a self-proclaimed gospel singer, and eight others to prison for crimes linked to cybercrime, conspiracy, and misuse of funds.

Otitoju was sentenced along with Ayodele Joseph, Adeoye Joseph, and Abubakar Abdulmalik, all charged with similar offences by the anti-corruption agency.

The charges were filed by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to a statement issued Friday by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, the 31-year-old gospel singer from Iyamoye in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State was sentenced to six months in prison by Justice Abimbola Awogboro without the option to pay a fine.

Otitoju was convicted for keeping over N8.4 million in his bank account, which was traced to illegal activities.

One of the charges read, “That you, Otitoju Moses Sesan, sometime between October 2024 and December 2025, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did retain control of the gross sum of N8,404,339 in your account, being proceeds of criminal conduct, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(a) and (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004.”

Ayodele, who had N243,750 in his account, received an eight-month jail sentence without an option of fine.

His Tecno 19 phone was confiscated by order of the court and handed over to the Federal Government.

Adeoye, a native of Okene LGA in Kogi State, was also sentenced to eight months without the option of a fine.

He forfeited $220, an iPhone 13, and a Tecno Pop 9 phone to the Federal Government.

Abubakar was handed a six-month prison term. His iPhone 16 and Samsung S10 were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.

EFCC prosecutors Aliyu Adebayo, Sesan Ola, Rashidat Alao, and Mustapha Kaigama led the cases, presenting statements, exhibits, and recovered funds as evidence, all of which were admitted in court.

In another case, Justices Haleema Saleeman and Sulaiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court found Emeka Achi, Isaac Oluwafemi, Afolabi Olatoye, Zubeiru Zubeiru Junior, and Abdulkadir Taofeek guilty of cybercrime and diversion of funds.

Justice Akanbi sentenced Abdulkadir to three years in prison with an option to pay a N500,000 fine, and ordered that N800,000, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Justice Saleeman sentenced Emeka, Isaac, and Afolabi to six months in jail each, with the option to pay N100,000 as a fine.

In addition, Emeka was ordered to repay N3.35 million within three months and report to the EFCC every two weeks alongside his parents until full payment is made.

Tunde Oyekola

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BIG STORY

Kogi University Lecturer Dies During Sex Romp In Hotel Room With 200-Level Student

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A senior lecturer at Kogi State University, Anyigba, named Dr. Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, reportedly died in a hotel room following a sexual encounter with a 22-year-old student in her second year.

It was reported that the event happened on Tuesday, July 15, and the police at Anyigba were alerted shortly after. The student involved was taken into custody for questioning.

The lecturer, known across the university for his strict approach, was allegedly infamous for taking advantage of female students in return for academic favours.

Sources claim Dr. Ibikunle, who was married with children, had booked a room in a hotel alongside the student, who is studying Social Studies Education.

According to those familiar with the situation, the lecturer consumed several energy drinks prior to the incident, presumably in anticipation of vigorous activity.

Unfortunately, the lecturer collapsed and passed away during the act.

The Kogi State Police Command verified the incident to SaharaReporters on Friday, labeling it as unfortunate.

In a statement to SaharaReporters, the Command’s spokesperson, SP William Ovye Aya, stated that the student had been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for deeper inquiry and potential charges.

Aya explained: “The report was received on July 16, but the unfortunate incident happened on July 15, 2025. It was the manager of the hotel (name not disclosed), who came to the police station at Anyigba and reported about his guest, the lecturer who had lodged in their facility with a 22-year-old 200-level student, 22 years old, named Gloria Samuel.

“According to the manager, the girl on that fateful day rushed to the reception and complained that the lecturer took her to the hotel, and after they had sex, the man slumped.

“So the manager rushed and informed the DPO, and the DPO rushed to the scene, and they moved the man to the hospital. On arrival, a doctor on duty confirmed the lecturer’s death.

“So the girl in question has been transferred from Anyigba Police Division to the State CID for further investigation and prosecution. An autopsy has been conducted, but right now I don’t know whether the result of the autopsy is out because I haven’t spoken with the SCID.”

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