Entertainment
Jacky Wright and Marcus Rashford in Top 10 most powerful black Britons

Jacky Wright and Marcus Rashford in Top 10 most powerful black Britons
Jacky Wright, the businesswoman named as the UK’s most influential black person, has called for “monumental shifts” to ensure Britain is a more equal place to live.
Wright, the London-born corporate vice-president and chief digital officer at Microsoft US, was given this year’s top spot on 14 October by the Powerlist 2022, the annual list of the UK’s most powerful people of African, African-Caribbean and African American heritage.
Marcus Rashford, the footballer and campaigner, came in second place while Anne Mensah, vice-president of Content UK at Netflix, was third. The Oscar-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya is a new entrant to the list, in fourth.
Steven Bartlett, 29, founder and former CEO of Social Chain and the newly named youngest ever panellist on the BBC show Dragons’ Den, is another new entrant. He is joined by the model and social activist Munroe Bergdorf, and Rob Pierre, CEO of the digital marketing consultancy Jellyfish.
Wright welcomed the accolade but said the UK had a long way to go before it could call itself an equal society. “I am proud to be in the company of these great leaders of African and African-Caribbean heritage, but I am reminded that we still have a very long way to go,” she said. “Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that we not only showcase role models, so future generations can envision who and what they can be but, more importantly, we need to make monumental shifts to create a more equitable society.”
Wright was selected by a panel of judges led by the retired high court judge Dame Linda Dobbs, who said Wright took the top spot for the “sheer scale of the work she is doing”.
Wright was born in London but has spent much of her career in the US. She previously held roles at BP and General Electric. In 2017 she became chief digital information officer at HM Revenue and Customs, before returning to Microsoft US in 2019.
As one of the most senior black leaders in the civil service, and HMRC’s disability champion, Wright campaigned for diversity in government, including race and disability.
The Powerlist was launched in 2007 to showcase black role models across industries including business, science, technology and the arts. Entrants are judged on their “ability to change lives and alter events, as demonstrated over a protracted period of time and in a positive manner”.
Michael Eboda, CEO of Powerful Media, said: “Jacky Wright is a true professional who is totally well deserved of being recognised as the UK’s most powerful black Briton on the Powerlist 2022.”
The Powerlist 2022 Top 10:
1 Jacky Wright Chief digital officer and corporate vice-president of Microsoft US
2 Marcus Rashford English and Manchester United footballer, and campaigner against child poverty and racism.
3 Anne Mensah Vice-president of Content UK at Netflix. She previously worked at Sky UK and the BBC.
4 Daniel Kaluuya (new) Oscar and Golden Globe winning actor for portrayal of the Chicago Black Panther leader Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah.
5 Prof Kevin Fenton London regional director at Public Health England, who has played a key role highlighting Covid and inequality.
6 Steven Bartlett (new) Founder and former CEO of Social Chain; Dragon on Dragons’ Den. He founded his social media company at 21 and built it into a global business with $220m (£161m) annual revenue by the age of 27.
7 Michaela Coel Actor, writer and director who made history as the first black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special for her show I May Destroy You.
8 Lord Simon Woolley Co-founder and director of Operation Black Vote and principal of Homerton College at Cambridge University.
9 Richard Iferenta Partner at KPMG, where he is the head of financial services indirect tax practise.
10 Jacqueline McKenzie Human rights lawyer specialising in migration, asylum and refugee law. Currently a partner at Leigh Day Solicitors.
Entertainment
Konga calls out Burna Boy for allegedly using his lines, demands recognition

Veteran Nigerian singer Konga has publicly accused Grammy-winning artiste Burna Boy of using his lines and rhythm in some of his songs without proper credit.
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In a video message shared on his TikTok page, Konga pointed out that Burna Boy name-dropped him in the remix of Asake’s “Sungba” and also allegedly borrowed from his style in the song “Update.”
Expressing his concerns, Konga called for fair recognition and proposed a collaboration as a form of compensation. He specifically requested Burna Boy and Tiwa Savage to feature on the remix of his song “Kabakaba.”
“I’m calling Burna Boy out. Burna Boy, this video is for you because you name-dropped me in your song with Asake [Sungba Remix]. And in your new release, I noticed that you also used some of my lines and even my rhythm.
It’s obvious that you like my vibe and you’ve been playing with a whole lot of my flow, and I appreciate that. I love the fact that you’re using my craft, and I appreciate it, but I want you and Tiwa Savage on Kabakaba Remix. I will be expecting your feedback. I call you out in peace.”
Entertainment
Mohbad’s father asks court to quash advice freeing Naira Marley, Sam Larry, others

Aloba Joseph, the father of late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has filed an application before the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja seeking a judicial review of the legal advice issued by the office of the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
The application, which was filed on March 12, is brought ex-parte pursuant to Order 44 Rule 3 of the High Court of Lagos (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
Through his lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Wahab Shittu, Mohbad’s father is seeking the quashing of the DPP’s legal advice in respect of the murder of his son.
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Mr. Aloba, who is suing for himself and on behalf of the Aloba family, joined the Attorney General of Lagos and the DPP as respondents in the suit.
The applicant wants the court to quash the DPP’s advice as a result of a lack of fair hearing, pre-emption of the Coroner’s inquest—which is yet to conclude sitting—and because the vital suspects mentioned and implicated in the Coroner’s proceedings have been freed by the DPP’s legal advice.
In documents put before the court in support of the application, Mohbad’s father states that, by virtue of his position, he is well seized of the facts in the case.
He states, “That the death of late ILERIOLUWA OLADIMEJI ALOBA aka MOHBAD on the 11th of September 2025 was viewed as unnatural and suspicious, which led to him petitioning and demanding an inquest into the cause of death.”
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“That pursuant to the applicant’s request to determine the circumstances leading to death, the inquest was referred to the Coroner’s Court, which commenced sitting on September 23, 2023, and which is yet to conclude sitting.”
“That while the proceeding is yet to be concluded by the Coroner’s Court, Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje, sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court on the 26th of February 2025 and acting on the legal advice of the respondents, discharged and acquitted the 4 prime suspects—Abdul Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley, Samson Balogun Eletu aka Sam Larry, Owodunni Ibrahim aka Prime Boy, and Opere Babatunde—in the controversial death of late Mohbad.”
“That the applicants became aware of the legal advice at the Magistrate Court when the suspects were being discharged and acquitted by the court.”
“That those discharged and acquitted suspects by the respondents pursuant to their legal advice have been mentioned and implicated in the coroner’s proceedings and have been summoned and are yet to appear and give evidence as to their role in the death of late Mohbad.”
“That the Police, through one ASP Mohammed Yusuf attached to the Homicide Section, State CID Panti, and the respondents through their Senior Counsel, Mr. George, participated in the Coroner’s proceedings. The State CID Panti forwarded the case containing their investigation to the respondents without informing the Coroner’s Court, and while both offices, particularly the respondents, were aware of the Coroner’s inquest, they proceeded to issue legal advice, which prompted the Magistrate Court to discharge and acquit the prime suspects in the controversial death of late Mohbad.”
“That I know as a fact that the act or omission of the respondents is without due regard to the Coroner’s Court, which constitutes an obstruction of the Coroner in the exercise of its statutory duties.”
“That I know as a fact that the respondents’ failure to allow the Coroner to conclude its proceeding and proceeding to issue the legal advice is pre-empting the outcome of the decision of the Coroner and is done without jurisdiction and is null and void.”
“That I know as a fact that the act or omission of the respondents issuing legal advice in respect of the matter upon which an inquest is being conducted amounts to obstructing and interfering with the Coroner’s investigation and potentially influencing the outcome.”
“That I know as a fact that the act or omission of the respondents’ legal advice, which constitutes an affront to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Coroner, is an overreach into the Coroner’s power to conduct inquests into suspicious and unnatural deaths, which are expected to run their course without external interference.”
“That I know as a fact that the act or omission of the respondents, apart from being pre-emptive of the Coroner’s proceedings, undermines the integrity of the inquest and potentially compromises the outcome of the Coroner’s investigation.”
“That I know as a fact that the act or omissions of the respondents while aware that the Coroner’s inquest is still pending, is to overreach the outcome of the inquest, which is improper.”
“That the applicant needs the intervention of this Honourable Court to get justice for the death of his son. Otherwise, allowing the legal advice from the respondents to stand may automatically put an end to the seriousness of the Coroner’s Court and its proceedings.”
“That the grant of this application will not be prejudicial to the respondents.”
No judge has been assigned to hear the application, and no date has been fixed for its hearing.
Entertainment
Asake reconciles with father, promises better life

Music sensation Asake has made amends with his father, Fatai Odunsi, following a public fallout.
Odunsi had accused Asake of abandoning him after his health declined due to a stroke in 2022.
However, in a recent video, Odunsi revealed that Asake has reached out and promised to support him.
“His mother ought to ask him when last he saw me. That was what got me angry, but we have sorted all the problems. We are no longer fighting,” he said.
According to him, Asake has committed to purchasing a new house for him and covering his medical expenses.
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“Asake said he will do everything that I want. We have settled, no more problems. They are now looking for a new house that he will buy for me. He has settled everything,” he stated.
Asake has also agreed to take full responsibility for his 11-year-old daughter, Zeenat.
“He has never denied his child, but he has now promised to take full responsibility for the child,” he added.
Odunsi confirmed that Asake has sent him the necessary funds for his treatment and he will be visiting the hospital soon.
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