Fresh controversy has erupted within the family of the late Nollywood actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, following conflicting claims by his widow, StellaMaris Okafor, and some of the actor’s children over financial hardship, donated funds, and handling of properties left behind after his death.
The latest dispute has sparked widespread reactions on social media after StellaMaris publicly appealed for financial support, prompting accusations and counterclaims from individuals identifying themselves as the late actor’s children.
The controversy gained momentum after social media personality King Mitchy released an interview on June 24, 2026, featuring StellaMaris and three of her children.
During the interview, the widow disclosed that the family had been struggling financially since Mr Ibu’s passing, revealing that their electricity supply had been disconnected for two months because of unpaid bills and that they now relied on well water for their daily needs.
Her daughter, Chelsea, praised her mother for working tirelessly to provide food, pay school fees, and care for the family despite the challenges.
On the other hand, individuals claiming to be Mr Ibu’s family dispute the impression that the late comic actor left his family without assets. Some alleged that several of his properties had already been sold after his death, raising questions over the management of the proceeds and donations received during his prolonged illness.
Among those who reacted was comic actor Fred Ebere, popularly known as Tenkobo, who shared a video on Instagram featuring an audio recording allegedly sent by Valentine Okafor, identified as Mr Ibu’s first son. While expressing no objection to StellaMaris seeking public assistance, Tenkobo argued that portraying the actor as someone who left nothing behind was misleading.
According to him, Mr Ibu invested in landed properties during his lifetime, and questions should be asked about what became of those assets. He further alleged that longstanding family disagreements contributed to the controversies surrounding the late actor’s estate.
Another individual, Somtochukwu Okafor, who also claimed to be one of Mr Ibu’s sons, made more detailed allegations in a separate video. He accused StellaMaris of selling several of the late actor’s properties without sharing the proceeds with some of his children. He further claimed that despite the reported sales, she declined to provide him with financial assistance when he requested support to pay his WAEC examination fees.
According to Somtochukwu, a property in Lagos was allegedly sold for N60 million, another in Enugu for about N17 million and a property in Asaba for N11 million. He claimed he was neither informed nor given any share of the proceeds, adding that StellaMaris later transferred only N14,000 to him, describing it as a gift. He also alleged that about N60 million remained in one of Mr Ibu’s bank accounts alongside approximately N66 million reportedly donated by Nigerians during the actor’s illness, claiming the funds were never shared with other family members.
Amid the growing controversy, King Mitchy disclosed on Friday that compassionate Nigerians had raised N7.5 million for StellaMaris following the interview, adding that the funds had already been delivered to her.
Responding to the allegations, StellaMaris maintained that three individuals participated in the sale of her late husband’s properties. She explained that the Enugu property, reportedly sold for N17 million, was disposed of to help finance Mr Ibu’s burial expenses.
