Nollywood comic actor Fred Ebere, popularly known as Tenkobo, has publicly criticised Stella Maris Okafor, widow of the late actor John Okafor better known as Mr Ibu for appealing to the public for financial help, insisting the family has questions to answer about the late star’s investments.
The controversy was sparked after an influencer, King Mitchy, shared a video on Wednesday in which Stella appealed to the public for support, saying she could not afford her rent or her children’s school fees.
Tenkobo, who described himself as a close colleague and family friend of the late Mr Ibu, fired back, questioning why Stella had not sought employment or a means of livelihood following her husband’s death.
“Does it mean that because you are the wife of a legend, you should not work, get handwork, or have something doing? What if Ibu is not an actor?” he said.
Beyond the appeal itself, Tenkobo alleged that members of the Okafor family had sold off the late actor’s landed properties and investments — and demanded they account for the proceeds.
He revealed that he had called Mr Ibu’s eldest son, Valentine Okafor, after seeing the viral video, adding that Valentine was visibly emotional during the call.
Tenkobo also disputed Stella’s claim that Chelsea is Mr Ibu’s only daughter, insisting the late actor fathered several children, including a first daughter in her late twenties who carried his photo frame at the burial.
He said Stella had made similar public appeals even while Mr Ibu was still alive, and maintained that the late actor had planned his life well and made significant investments during his Nollywood career.
“Ibu tried very well to invest. The question now is, who sold all his landed properties? He bought plenty of lands and houses. Did he sell them before he died?” Tenkobo asked, before directing a pointed question at Stella: “What did she do with the money from the last house she sold?”
While stopping short of urging the public not to assist the widow, Tenkobo warned that anyone moved to help should not do so under the impression that Mr Ibu left nothing behind.
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