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Tag: Charly boy

  • Charly Boy to defend homosexual daughter, others

    Controversial entertainer, Charles Oputa, aka Charly Boy has vowed to defend the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) right in Nigeria, his daughter Dewy being one.

    With Dewy revealing she is in a lesbian relationship recently, Charly Boy who sometime ago sparked rumour of similar identity, going by a suggestive photoshoot of himself and television show-host, Denrele Edun, announced his readiness to defend the LGBT via an Instagram post on Sunday.

    Same-sex sexual activity or marriage attracts 14 years imprisonment in Nigeria, but Charly Boy who, from indications is not himself a homosexual says he is ready to wear his activism garment again in defence of the LGBT in Nigeria.

    He recounted how he had fought for the rights of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada riders, as well as musicians during his times as president of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).

    “All that I have done for over 50 years of my life is to root for the underdogs… Now I reactivate my fight in defence of the LGBT community,” he said.

    Dewy who, alongside her girlfriend has opened an Instagram page dedicated to their relationship and supporting the LGBT, had confessed it took a while for her parents to come to terms with her sexual identity.

  • Cancel Nigeria-Congo DR friendly, Charly Boy tells Buhari

    Charles Oputa, AKA Charly Boy wants President Muhammadu Buhari to cancel the international friendly between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and their DR Congo counterparts scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on May 28 as a result of the Ebola outbreak in the central African country.

    Buhari

    Charly Boy, who took to Social Media, wants President Buhari to prevail over Minister of Sport, Solomon Dalung, and NFF President, Amaju Pinnick to cancel the May 28 fixture to save Nigerians from a fresh Ebola threat.

    The popular Nigerian entertainer turned activist and our Mumu don do convener argued that the planned Ebola screening for the DR Congo squad on arrival on May 25 is not 100% safe.

    At least 15 people have been killed in the recent outbreak of Ebola in the giant Central African nation.

    His words: “If you know Amaju Pinnick , NFF President make una warn am. Why we wan carry Congo players come inside our country play friendly match where Ebola don kill many of dem people. If Ebola enter we country under Buhari, we don die finish 0!!!! Our Mumu suppose do. “

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Sport, Solomon Dalung has said the planned friendly will go on as planned.
    He said arrangements have been concluded to screen the team on arrival.

    “Nigeria is going to play the friendly with DRC, I have discussed with the Federal Ministry of Health with the World Health Organization in participation and we have reviewed the situation and received adequate information about it,” Dalung told journalists in Abuja on Monday.

    “Agreements have been reached that the Congolese players and officials be screened before leaving their country and we have also agreed that we would conduct our own screening when they arrive in Nigeria,” he explained.

  • Photos: Charley Boy apologises to Saraki over posts

    Popular entertainment star turned activist, Charley Boy has apologized to President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki over an unverified post to spite the lawmaker.

    Charley had taken to his tweeter handle @Areafada1 to cast aspersion on the President of the Senate over a picture where Saraki was seen cleaning mud from his trousers.

    Apparently misled by social media posts, Charley Boy had written: “E never start. Saraki after he escaped the mob attack by people of lafiagi in his own state. May all those who have conspired to render us hopeless, penniless and frustrated, may nemesis catch up with them.

    However, hours later and upon realizing that the photograph was taken when Saraki led a delegation on an oversight visit to assess the level of oil spillage in Ogoniland in 2012.

    The entertainment star therefore tendered an unreserved apology to the President of the Senate saying: “APOLOGY TO SENATE PRESIDENT SARAKI My earlier post on Senate president Bukola Saraki was incorrect. I admit I was in a hurry to post before verifying the veracity of the story. I apologize for this avoidable error.

    Some Nigerians who reacted to the apology commended Charley Boy for the bold step and urged the President of the Senate to accept the apology.
    See thread below:

  • Charly Boy leads protest to NNPC

    Charly Boy leads protest to NNPC

    Notable entertainer, Charles Oputa, a.k.a Charly Boy, on Wednesday led the ‘Ourmumudondo’ group, on a peaceful protest to the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over lingering fuel scarcity across the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group said the protest was necessary for the NNPC and other stakeholders in the petroleum sector to know that Nigerians were tired of the fuel predicament.

    He said:  ”For over three months, Nigerians have endured agonizing fuel scarcity crisis, which has caused a hike in the prices of commodities, cost of transportation and wastage of man-hours spent on queues daily at petrol stations.

    “The lingering fuel scarcity has now brought untold hardship on the ordinary Nigerian people who may not be able to hold those in charge responsible.

    “We at the OurMumuDonDo Movement have decided to ensure that the President, the NNPC and other stakeholders in the oil sector are compelled to find a lasting solution to this current crisis.

    “Let them do something urgently to abate the sufferings of Nigerians, not just in Abuja alone, but across the country,” he said.

    NAN reports that leaders of some other Civil Society Groups also joined the Ourmumudondo peaceful protest to the NNPC headquarters.

    Mr. Ariyo Dare-Atoye of the Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy, said Nigerians across different states were buying fuel at exorbitant prices, far above the official pump price of N145 per litre.

    “It is unacceptable that government and its agents would to `normalise’ the scarcity, while Nigerians are buying fuel at cut-throat prices in different states.

    “It is the duty of leaders to take responsibility and serve the interest of the people, no matter what it takes, and that is what we are demanding from the NNPC and leaders at all levels,” he said.

    Also, Mr Deji Adeyanju of the Concerned Nigerians urged the NNPC to apply inclusive approach in addressing the fuel challenge.

    “The Federal Republic of Nigeria is not limited to Abuja, as millions of citizens are still struggling to get fuel at exorbitant prices in different parts of the country.

    “If the situation appeared insurmountable, then the NNPC should convene stakeholders meeting for ideas on how to collectively stop this lingering challenge facing Nigerians, “he said.

    The group therefore handed a letter containing t its grievances and demands, addressed to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Maikanti Baru.

    Mr Ndu Ughamadu, Head of Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, who received the letter on behalf of the GMD, commended the group for its genuine concern towards the welfare of Nigerians.

    He therefore assured the group that their demands would be looked into accordingly, and added that the Corporation was doing everything possible within its reach to ensure that fuel was always available for Nigerians.

  • Charly Boy gives out daughter in marriage

    Charly Boy gives out daughter in marriage

    Media personality Charles Oputa popularly known as Charly Boy, has given out his daughter, Adaeze, in marriage in a ceremony which held in Abuja.

    The 66-year old who is already a grandfather took to Facebook to share the news as well as photos of the couple.

    ‘Life isn’t fair,’ wrote Charly Boy who is known for his unconventional ways.

    ‘Kai, see my beautiful Princes wey I heavily invest on. Na him wey one fine boy no pimple come carry, just like dat, even for free. It’s not fair. Mr and Mrs Anu. The latest couple in <ØóÝ<ØìÝ’

    The traditional wedding between Adaeze and Steve Metu Anu who hails from Ezumoha autonomous community of Isiala Mbano, Imo State, held on Saturday at Charly Boy’s residence in Gwarinpa Estate followed by a reception at Evelyn Marquee, an event center in the estate.

    Amongst guests are the event were the former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwezili, former Minister of Youth and Sport, Idi Hong,  former chairman Governing Board of National Examination Council (NECO), Paddy Njoku as well as Nollywood actors like Francis Duru and Nkem Owoh who acted as the masters of ceremony.

    Also in attendance was the 99 years old mother of Charly Boy, Mrs, Margaret Oputa.

  • Charly-Boy demands N500m damages from police for alleged rights violation

    Charly-Boy demands N500m damages from police for alleged rights violation

    Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly-Boy or Area-Fada, on Wednesday filed a suit at the FCT High Court, Maitama, against the Commissioner of Police in FCT for alleged violation of his rights.

    Oputa is demanding the enforcement of  his fundamental rights pursuant to Sections 34, 39, and 40 and 46 (1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    He is asking the court to declare that the use of teargas, canisters, water cannon and wild police dogs to harass and disperse his group was contrary to the provisions of the constitution.

    Oputa through his counsel, Mr Inibehe Effiong, is also seeking the order of the court compelling the respondent (Nigeria Police Force) to pay him N100 million as general damages.

    He is also asking for an order directing, the respondent to pay him N 400 million as exemplary damages.

    Oputa said that he and his group, known as Our Mumu Don Do Movement, staged a peaceful demonstration on Aug. 8 at Unity Fountain, Maitama Abuja, when they were attacked by the police.

    The group had demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari return from his medical leave in London to resume work or resign.

    The suit has yet to be assigned. (NAN)

  • IPOB, Army: Charly Boy, Adeyanju urge FG to be more solution-focused

    IPOB, Army: Charly Boy, Adeyanju urge FG to be more solution-focused

    Popular Nigerian songwriter and entertainer, Charles Oputa, known as Charly Boy and the convener of Concerned Nigerians group, Deji Adeyanju, on Thursday called on the Federal Government to more circumspect and solution-focused in handling sensitive matters as secessionist agitations within the country.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Maverick singer and the former New Media Director for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), in which the duo noted that the move by the government is an aberration that must be strongly condemned.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the recent detachment of soldiers from the Nigerian Army to the Afaraukwu country home of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and the invasion of Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on Aba Road, Umuahia, which led to the destruction of laptops and other valuables thereby causing unnecessary panic within the state and the entire region.

    “We consider this move an aberration that must be strongly condemned in a democratic environment like ours.

    “The good people of Abia State deserve better than the undue panic under which they have been placed since the invasion which has completely restricted them from going about their daily activities freely like they used to.

    “In as much as we are aware that the Federal Government is concerned about curbing divisive messages and inordinate agitations within the country, we believe it should be more concerned about safeguarding the lives and properties of all Nigerians in any part of the country.

    “It is also important to note that though recanted, the October 1 ultimatum issued by some misguided northern youths to the Igbos in the north remains weighty in the minds of many and the atmosphere is hypersensitive to any mishap that could foment such interethnic melee.

    “We urge the Federal Government; therefore, that, rather than steaming up the flames of enmity and discord within the country by using force on harmless citizens, it should be more committed to dousing tensions and promoting peace and unity.

    “Finally, we appeal to the Federal Government to be more circumspect and solution-focused in handling sensitive matters as secessionist agitations within the country. God bless Nigeria.”

  • Okorocha: Charly Boy recruited to fight me, APC

    Okorocha: Charly Boy recruited to fight me, APC

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday said entertainer and rights activist, Mr Charles Oputa (aka Charly Boy), was recruited in 2014 by his political opponents to fight his administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The governor, who was reacting to a recent meeting convened by Charly Boy and the State Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Lawrence Nwaekaeti, to review suspected cases of rights abuses in the state, said the activist continued to act the script handed to him by his paymasters since 2014.

    He said Charly Boy first attacked him that year during the burial of his father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

    Okorocha said the controversial activist had deceived respectable and renowned activists, like Prof Chidi Odinkalu and others, to come to Imo State over the relocation of the Owerri Market while he continued with his “unwarranted attacks” against his administration.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor said: “Our attention has been drawn to the meeting presided over by Charles Oputa (aka Charly Boy) and the Chairman of Owerri branch of the Nigeria Bar Association NBA, Mr. Lawrence Nwakaeti, on September 9 at the Bar Centre, High Court oremises in Owerri and the publications on the outcome of the meeting.

    “We want to respond by first alluding that Charles Oputa (aka Charly Boy) was recruited since 2014 by opponents of the Rescue Mission Government in the state against Governor Okorocha and the APC. He used his father’s burial service at Oguta to launch his war against the governor after he had collected money from the government for the same father’s burial. And he has continued the unprovoked and unwarranted war.”

    The statement added: “The governor did the road to Oputa’s house, built a court complex named after the late jurist, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa… But before the burial, they told him that someone had directed that he should not allow Governor Okorocha to talk at the burial service, not minding that protocol demanded that the governor should talk.

    “Acting on the script given to him, Charly Boy snatched the microphone from a sitting governor, who came to honour his late father and who also gave money for the burial. He did that to satisfy Governor Okorocha’s opponents and see whether (or not) that could help them in the 2015 election. Up till now, Charly Boy has not cared to apologise to the governor, in spite of the general outcry his action attracted then.

    “But he has continued the war with his coming to Owerri at the weekend to insult Governor Okorocha as part of the script. He deceived some notable rights activists, like Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, into coming to Owerri on the relocation of Ekeukwu Market without such innocent figures knowing he was recruited since 2014 against Governor Okorocha. He looks for every opportunity to malign the governor.

    “He was also recruited this year against President Mohammadu Buhari. To carry out the assignment, he came up with the so-called: OurMumuDonDo. He was calling for the resignation of President Buhari because he was sick as if President Buhari was the first President to be sick in the country.

    “It is also important to ask Charly Boy where he was for the 16 years the previous administrations mismanaged the fortunes of this country. And they have so greatly empowered him that today, he moves in a lengthy convoy with no fewer than 15 assorted Jeeps with an avalanche of security aides who look overfed.”

  • EFCC, Diezani and Charly Boy

    EFCC, Diezani and Charly Boy

    IN a statement she released last January, former Petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, insisted that allegations of corruption against her were grossly exaggerated. She did not steal the country’s money and yet she was being subjected to media trial, she said. Below is an excerpt from the January statement:

    “One of the basic tenets of the human trait is that we all have shortcomings and we all make our fair share of mistakes, whether we are in positions of leadership, or not. However, one error that cannot be ascribed to me is stealing from Nigeria and defrauding my country! It is therefore sad and distressing that in spite of all that I tried to do in the best interest of our nation, I continue to be faced with constant demonisation, unproven accusations and deeply personal insults. In response I have chosen not to insult, accuse or demonise anyone, any person or persons. In spite of all the allegations that have been made against me, not one has been factually proven.

    “I remain very proud of the fact that all the policies, tenets and plans that I initiated in the Oil & Gas sector are still underpinning the entire structure. This is because they were put in place with the good of the entire nation and its people in mind. They were not factional, or tribal, neither were they based on religious bias. I can therefore, no longer sit back and allow the fabricated accusations against my person designed by unscrupulous persons with a vengeful agenda go unchallenged. As a Christian, it is my sincerely held belief that in the coming months, history will be the judge of exactly who lied and who told the truth. By the Grace of God, I shall be here to see the day when truth prevails. The fight against corruption in Nigeria will be far better served if the EFCC focuses on incontrovertible facts, as opposed to media sensationalism and completely distorted stories, in their bid to demonize and destroy a few specially chosen Nigerians.”

    Nobody believes her. For since she made the statement, and despite the one-sided reports about her activities as Petroleum minister, at least two courts have given forfeiture judgements against her. The judgements have been in respect of extraordinarily huge sums and incredibly posh properties she allegedly owned through proxies and shell companies. She is yet to respond to these latest forfeitures, if by chance she can find a soul to believe her.

    Meanwhile, it speaks volumes of the methods used by government and its agencies that they seem so eager to open their gates and doors to demonstrations organised in their support, such as the one put together by Charles ‘Charly Boy’ Oputa to encourage the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to move more forcefully against Mrs Alison-Madueke. After his recent nasty experience in the hands of security agents and President Buhari’s diehard supporters, Charly Boy will be relieved to experience a welcoming embrace from the implacable EFCC. Apart from the lecture on patience and the rule of law which the EFCC gave him after receiving him at their gates, Charly Boy will probably henceforth carefully select his causes to avoid brutalisation that could prove very costly for him, his health, and perhaps his life.

  • The symptomatic Charly Boy protests

    The symptomatic Charly Boy protests

    FOR over a week, Charles ‘Charly Boy’ Oputa, a notable musician and activist, organised protests in Abuja to force the return or resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari. The president had been in London since May 7 for medical attention, the second time this year, for an undisclosed ailment. For leaving his return date open-ended until yesterday when he returned to Abuja, and perhaps too for failing to disclose what ailed him, the Charly Boy protesters took to the streets of Abuja to force a cessation to what they described as national stupidity over the matter and politics of the ailing president’s medical trip.

    The protests unfortunately attracted strong-arm tactics from the police aimed at discouraging Charly Boy and his handful of protesters. Why a handful of protesters should agitate the police into taking such brazen unconstitutional measures against the ‘resume or resign’ group has not been fully explained. However, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had, in response to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) protests in February and the BringBackOurGirls protests in April, tried to settle the confusion by drawing attention to constitutional provisions that guarantee the right to protest, as long as it is done peacefully. The police have a hard time imbibing that culture. But a day after the Abuja protests began, however, the police cleaned up their acts, permitted the protests and even tried to stand as a buffer between the sparse and peaceful Charly Boy group and other more muscular and intemperate pro-Buhari protesters who mobilised August 9 to register their displeasure and point of view, not with the public, but strangely and provocatively with the anti-Buhari protesters.

    For unknown reasons, but probably to garner more support for the anti-Buhari cause and to mark the 100th day of the president’s medical trip, the Charly Boy group took their activism to the popular Wuse Market in Abuja where it turned out more people actually sympathised with the convalescing president. Unable to stomach the protesters’ derring-do, a crowd of pro-Buhari counter-protesters, allegedly mobilised by forces and persons outside the market, swooped on Charly Boy and his fellow protesters and assaulted them. The anti-Buhari group escaped serious injuries and possibly death by the skin of their teeth and have since halted all protests in Abuja, leaving the field to the pro-Buhari protesters who have been well received by the president’s aides and security services. Whether the pro-Buhari crowd is spontaneous or rented is hard to say.

    The Charly Boy protests and the reaction by both the police and pro-Buhari protesters are clearly but depressingly symptomatic of the terrible pass Nigeria has found itself. While it is true that in the past Charly Boy politically romanced the government of Goodluck Jonathan, it is incomprehensible that that should deter or preclude him from disputing the methods and measures of the Buhari presidency. He has the constitutional right to make up his mind one way or the other, now and again as he may be inspired to do, on any issue that thematically or chronologically agrees with his worldview. If he chooses to support Dr. Jonathan yesterday and President Buhari today, or selects certain attributes in them to lionise, he is at liberty to indicate his choice in a manner that does not undermine the constitution, regardless of any fickleness ascribed to him.

    The police first manhandled Charly Boy and his fellow protesters before hired or self-driven thugs beat them up. The police have not shown any indication a time would come soon when they would not resort to mindless assault on the rights and liberties of citizens. They would always be unreservedly pro-government, even if it means sometimes violating the constitution. And as for the rampaging crowd that assaulted the anti-Buhari protesters, they showed very disturbingly, without sensible arguments, that they were willing conspirators with many faceless others in the violation of the constitution, and that at all times, especially when their heroes are involved, there can only be one way of enforcing the law. They show how easy it is to foolishly promote and encourage authoritarian governments, brutalise nonconformists, and herd the country senselessly into one political or even religious cesspit.

    All the nonsense, however, began with the government. Those who rule Nigeria must make up their minds, if they are capable of any vision at all, what kind of country they envision: one where the constitution must remain unassailable; or one where the constitution can be bargained away on the altar of expediency. With the police assaulting Charly Boy and his fellow protesters, and presidential aides falling over one another to welcome the pro-Buhari groups, is it surprising that the culture of intolerance in the country is deep-seated and flourishing? After all, the presidency itself has a culture of pronouncing guilt on non-conformists even before they are tried. Ask Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his Shiite sect.