Nollywood Actor Sentenced For Child Sexual Assault

A Nigerian actor has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor between 2013 and 2014.

The trial of Olanrewaju Omiyinka at a special offences court in Lagos lasted a year.

The 49 year old is popularly known as Baba Ijesha in Nollywood – as Nigeria’s film industry is called.

The judge ruled that Omiyinka should be sentenced to 16 years in total for the four charges of which he was found guilty.

However, as he is to serve the sentences at the same time, he will spend a maximum of five years in prison.

Two counts of sexual assault were dropped because of a lack of sufficient evidence.

Last year, Omiyinka admitted in court to molesting the victim, but said it was in the context of a role he was playing in a film campaigning against child sexual abuse.

Women and child rights activists say the ruling will serve as an example to anyone intending to take advantage of a child.

His lawyers are planning to appeal against the judgment.

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Africa Facing Growing Animal-To-Human Disease Risk – WHO

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The World Health Organization is warning that Africa is facing a growing risk of outbreaks of diseases that spread from animals to people.

It says these zoonotic outbreaks have increased by more than 60% over the last decade with a large spike recorded since 2019.

Most of the cases have involved the Ebola virus, other viral haemorrhagic diseases, dengue fever, anthrax and monkeypox.

The WHO’s Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said there was a need to act now to stop Africa becoming a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases.

The WHO says among the reasons behind the spread of these diseases are rapid population growth, increased demand for food derived from animals and encroachment on wildlife habitats.

 

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Sri Lanka political dynasty ends as Rajapaksa quits

Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned as president of Sri Lanka after fleeing to Singapore in the face of mass protests at home over his rule.

He is believed to have wanted to leave Sri Lanka before stepping down in order to avoid the possibility of arrest under a new administration.

The cost of food, fuel and other basic supplies has soared for Sri Lankans.

In the capital Colombo, delighted demonstrators greeted news of the president’s departure with dancing.

“We are beyond happy but also beyond relieved so we can take a break and go back to our lives,” Viraga Perera told the BBC.

“At this stage we are so exhausted because of all the flip-flopping, that we consider this moment substantial enough as a victory.”

Mr Rajapaksa arrived in Singapore earlier on Thursday after first flying to the Maldives on Tuesday night. Reports say he is accompanied by his wife and two bodyguards.

Singapore’s foreign ministry said Mr Rajapaksa had not asked for asylum or been granted asylum. “Singapore generally does not grant requests for asylum,” it added.

The acting president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, does not formally become interim president until he is sworn in.

After that, Mr Wickremesinghe – who was appointed acting president by President Rajapaksa after the latter fled – has 30 days for parliament to endorse him. If they do not, MPs need to hold a vote for a new president.

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