Veteran Nollywood actor Bob Manuel Udokwu has spoken about the late John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, expressing sadness over the actor’s final days and the criticism colleagues faced while seeking financial support for his medical treatment.
Speaking in a recent interview, Bob Manuel also revealed that he was unaware the late comic actor had married more than one wife, as he reflected on the realities and financial pressures within Nigeria’s movie industry.
The veteran actor explained that while many people assume Nollywood does not pay well, the real challenge lies in the heavy financial responsibilities borne by male actors. According to him, the demands of providing for their families and meeting numerous personal obligations often place enormous pressure on them, making life more difficult despite earning income from their careers.
Reflecting on Mr Ibu’s illness, Bob Manuel said it was painful watching his colleague battle health challenges before his death, particularly as actors who tried to raise money for his treatment came under attack on social media.
He noted that many online critics failed to understand the realities of the profession and the difficulties actors sometimes face behind the scenes.
His comments come amid renewed public attention on the late actor’s family following conflicting claims over his estate and finances after his death.
Actress Rita Edochie had earlier criticised polygamy while reacting to the controversies surrounding Mr Ibu’s family, saying the practice had disrupted peace, unity and harmony in many homes. She described the public disagreements over the actor’s property and other family matters as heartbreaking to witness.
The family dispute resurfaced recently after Mr Ibu’s widow, Stella, and her children spoke about their current living conditions during an interview with influencer King Mitchy.
Stella disclosed that the family now depends on water fetched from a well because they have been unable to pay their house rent. She also revealed that electricity had been disconnected for two months, forcing them to rely on other people to charge their mobile phones.
However, one of Mr Ibu’s sons from a previous relationship disputed Stella’s account, alleging that the late actor left several properties for all of his children but that she took control of them for herself and her own children. He further claimed that more than N66 million contributed by members of the public during Mr Ibu’s illness had been squandered.
Supporting the allegation, a woman identified as Mr Ibu’s alleged first wife claimed that Stella sold one of the late actor’s properties in Enugu for about N18 million after his death. She also alleged that following Mr Ibu’s burial, Stella and those around her shared and spent money that should have been properly accounted for.
Responding to the accusations, Stella denied any wrongdoing during a follow-up interview with King Mitchy. She maintained that before selling the village property, she consulted the late actor’s other children and said the proceeds were used to finance his funeral. Stella also stated that throughout her marriage to Mr Ibu, he never informed her that he had previously been married or that he had fathered children with other women.
