President of the United States of America, Joe Biden has granted pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing this month for federal tax and gun convictions as he prepares to leave office.
In a statement issued by the White House on Sunday, December 1, Biden said that his son had been “singled out” and “selectively, and unfairly” prosecuted due to his family name.
This official grant of clemency cannot be rescinded by President-elect Donald Trump.
Hunter Biden was scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12 for his conviction on federal gun charges. He also was set to be sentenced on Dec. 16 in a separate criminal case in which he pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges in September.
“I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice — and once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further. I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision,” Biden said in his statement.
The president issued a “full and unconditional pardon” for any offenses Hunter Biden has “committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024,” according to the White House statement.
The president also spoke about his son’s struggles with addiction in his statement Sunday night, saying that his political opponents were trying to “break” him by going after Hunter.
“No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son — and that is wrong,” Biden said in his statement. “There has been an effort to break Hunter — who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me — and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough.”
In a separate statement, Hunter Biden said he had “admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction — mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport.”
Despite all of this, I have maintained my sobriety for more than five years because of my deep faith and the unwavering love and support of my family and friends,” he added. “In the throes of addiction, I squandered many opportunities and advantages. In recovery we can be given the opportunity to make amends where possible and rebuild our lives if we never take for granted the mercy that we have been afforded. I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”
Steven Cheung, a spokesman for President-elect Donald Trump, said, “The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democrat-controlled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system. That system of justice must be fixed and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people.”
A lady has accused popular content creator, Egungun of Lagos of asking her to meet him at a hotel in exchange for an introduction to singer Zlatan.
The lady who was pursuing a music career at the time made the allegations amid rumors surrounding his leaked bedroom video.
It would be recalled that Egungun’s wife had taken to social media to cry out as she revealed that someone was blackmailing her husband with his leaked tape.
The alleged videos had their way to the internet, sparking a cheating scandal.
She claimed that the incident had occurred in 2020, when they were in University of Lagos.
@theboujeegirlie wrote …
“Egungun of Lagos wey tell me make I come hotel for Surulere say he wan introduce me to Zlatan??? God will punish that boy sehh 😂😂😂😂
For context: We were in Unilag together and this happened 2020 after Zlatan had just promoted him in his masquerade costume. He came to my hostel on my birthday and we even had a viral video together lmaoo.
I was actively pursuing a music career then and we had become acquaintances after the viral video, so he wanted to “introduce me to Zlatan” at a hotel in Surulere lmaoo 💀💀.”
@Kelvdunski commented: “At a hotel, not a hotel room. I don’t know how ow how you guys Thinks things oo”
The lady clarified that he had given her a room number, not just in the open space of the hotel area.
@theboujeegirlie stated: “Person wey give me room number????
Lmaooooo let’s just let bygones be bygones. 2020 is a long time ago 💀💀.”
Nigerian singer/songwriter, Tiwa Savage has spoken about the importance of artists connecting and building relationships with their fans.
Speaking in a recent episode of the ‘Shopping The Sneakers’ podcast, Savage explained that when artists build relationships with their fans, the fans can connect to other aspects of their lives aside from music.
She mentioned that her colleagues, Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy, are trending because of their relationships with fans.
“It’s not just about the music; it’s your fanbase and your brand. You’ve to think of your fashion. You’ve to be relatable. A lot of times, artists are just putting out music; they are not really connecting with the fans.
“I think it’s really important to connect with the fans. If you look at Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy, they have established relationships with their fanbases.
They love their lifestyles. Whether they are dropping a song or not, they are in the conversation. So it’s really important to build a fanbase. You are only good as strong as your team,” she said.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed his gratitude to General Yakubu Gowon for his support and intervention during Obasanjo’s imprisonment under General Sani Abacha’s regime.
We had reported on Friday that Gowon disclosed how he wrote to Abacha, pleading for Obasanjo’s life to be spared, a fact that Obasanjo was unaware of until Gowon revealed it at an interdenominational Christmas Carol organised by the Plateau State government.
Gowon had revealed that he wrote a letter to Abacha and sent it through his wife, Victoria, pleading for Obasanjo’s life to be spared.
However, on Saturday, Obasanjo expressed his gratitude to Gowon, acknowledging that he had been thanking those who had appealed for his release, but he was not aware of Gowon’s personal efforts.
While also commending Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State for organising the event, which brought people together in joyful worship, the former President emphasised the importance of faith and community in overcoming challenges.
He said, “I want to acknowledge my boss, General Yakubu Gowon. Yesterday, he gave us here a revelation, and I have to thank you especially for that. Because when I came out of prison, I had the opportunity, both while I was in prison and after my release, of hearing about friends inside and outside who contributed to appeals and prayed for my release.
“And I went around the world, thanking those who had been pointed out to me as having appealed and prayed for my release from prison. I did not know that you wrote a personal letter for my release until you said it yesterday. I thank you for that.”
A public outcry has erupted after the wife of a well-known media personality, famously called the “Egungun of Lagos,” revealed an ongoing blackmail attempt.
In a series of detailed posts, she narrated how an unnamed blackmailer is threatening to release a private video of her husband unless financial demands are met.
In her statement, she clarified that the video, intended as a personal message between her husband and herself, was leaked without their consent.
Defending her husband’s character, she emphasized his faithfulness throughout their relationship, stating: “My husband has never cheated on me before (vice versa). This relationship is built on trust, understanding, loyalty, and commitment.”
She also revealed her significant role in managing her husband’s career, expressing unwavering trust in him despite the malicious attempt to tarnish their reputation.
She further urged the public not to be swayed by the blackmailer’s motives: “This will not break my marriage because we are built on a foundation stronger than scandals.”
Screenshots of the blackmailer’s messages accompanied her posts, showcasing threats to escalate the situation by leaking the content to media outlets.
The blackmailer reportedly warned, “You can choose to ignore, but once he starts trending, you will be ashamed of yourself.”
Despite the distressing nature of the incident, she ended her message with gratitude and optimism, wishing her followers a Merry Christmas and promising updates on upcoming family projects.
A young Nigerian woman has sounded the alarm, alleging that six girls have disappeared after attending a house party in Lekki.
The claim was shared in a video that has gone viral on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
In the video, it was stated that there were originally seven girls invited, but the seventh girl was left behind when she stepped out of the car to retrieve a forgotten wig.
By the time she returned, the car had already driven off, and the other six girls were gone.
The woman issued a stern warning to girls, urging them to be cautious about meeting new people and to avoid engaging with strangers.
She warned that such encounters could lead to them being exploited for ritual sacrifices.
Her statement: “6 girls in Lekki has gone missing. They were invited for a private house party. and they carried all of them and nobody has heard from them. their lines are no longer going through. Their friends can not reach them.”
“Just one person that survived because she missed her hair so she came down from the car to go and get her hair and go back but when she came back, they were all gone”
“They were supposed to be 7 for the house party but they took 6. The 6 girls have gone missing.”
“Beware of people, stop meeting new people in the island or people in Lekki. They’ll use you for ritual, A lot of them are traveling back to Nigeria to perform ritual and they’ll use you for rituals, be very careful.”
Media personality, Toke Makinwa discloses that her skin is the most expensive asset on her body, stating how she spent $700 on a face mask.
In a candid revelation, she shared the significant amount of money she spends on skincare, highlighting her commitment to achieving and maintaining flawless skin.
Speaking in a recent video, she said, “See my skin, eey God. The most expensive thing on me is my skin. The amount of money I spend on my skin, whew! You know, it used to change—jewelry, shoes, bags, etc.—but now it’s my skin.”
Toke further surprised fans by revealing that she once purchased a face mask for $700, emphasizing her dedication to quality skincare. “I am always thinking about my skin,” she added.
The revelation has sparked discussions online, with fans praising her glowing complexion while others expressed amazement at the high cost of her skincare regimen.
A social media user @keneofficial reacted, “A lot of the skincare products we use are the cause of some of the health challenges we have.”
Another user @emerald.g.onyi added, “Spending so much on skin care and still using filters is wild.”
Davido’s close friend and socialite, Cubana Chief Priest, has shut down claims of competing with anyone in the music industry.
Speaking during an appearance in France alongside members of the 30BG crew, Cubana Chief Priest emphasized their focus on positivity and success without engaging in rivalries.
He emphasized the singer’s success and crew, clarifying misconceptions about competing with any Afrobeats counterparts for money.
In his remarks, he stated, “We make music, no toxicity. We are just living it; we no follow una drag anything o. We don’t need money, bro, we’ve got a lot.”
Fans and commentators have praised the sentiment, with many interpreting it as a subtle message amid the industry’s frequent comparisons and feuds.
Cubana Chief Priest’s declaration aligns with Davido’s long-standing approach of uplifting others and promoting unity within his circle, reinforcing the group’s reputation for loyalty and good vibes.
It is worth noting that Afrobeat star, Wizkid has since been on a rampage on X (formerly Twitter), ranting about his opposition. In a series of now-deleted posts, Wizkid had wished for his opposition to die.
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