Is Def Jam Africa Real and Is D'banj Its President?

Rumors have been milling around several Nigerian blogs about the creation of Def Jam Africa, an African counterpart to the hip-hop heavyweight label originated by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons to be run under the mammoth Island Def Jam Music Group umbrella. Bare-boned Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and "official" blogs have been created along with word of D'banj taking the helm as president. His alleged first act: sign Davido. Is it true? Pics/tweets that all the Naija blogs have been posting of D'banj and Davido hanging in ATL this week below.

LABATA."@iam_Davido: @iamdbanj lebete!"
— D'banj kokomaster(@iamdbanj) May 19, 2012

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Photo credit should read SEYLLOU/AFP via Getty Images

Senegal Denies Release of Former Chadian President Hissène Habré

The Senegalese judicial government has refused to release Chad's imprisoned ex-president Hissène Habré on the alleged basis of his health concerns.

The Senegalese judiciary has refused former Chad president Hissène Habré's request to be released from prison. Habré faces life imprisonment for crimes against humanity including rape, kidnapping, slavery and executions. The decision by the Senegalese judiciary comes after the 79-year-old former statesman's lawyers reportedly filed for his release on the basis of health concerns.

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