Izuchukwu OkosiHere are 5 top celebrity fights of 2022, wherein Nigerian and other African fans had busy time talking about moments when entertainment stars stoked controversies with not only their craft but also with their marital fights.
In the outgoing year, the Nigerian entertainment/creative industry, no doubt, experienced some upsides in careers of many of the actors, music acts, fashion brands, among others.
However, some marriage or relationship breakups made big headlines in the year under review. Here, Prime Business Africa recalls the most talked-about celebrity fights of the year:
1. Yul Edochie vs May Edochie
Okay, there is no divorce just yet here but the marriage between award-winning actor Yul Edochie and his adorable wife, May is heading for the cliff.
The marriage that has produced four beautiful children (three boys and a girl) was threatened when Yul, son of legendary actor and former broadcaster, Pete Edochie, announced via his social media handles that he had a son with fellow actor turned producer, Judy Austin.
The son was named ‘Star Yul Edochie’ and that elicited widespread condemnation from many Nigerians who consider Yul’s wife, May, as underderserving of such ill treatments.
May insisted that she cannot be forced to accept polygamy by the Nteje, Anambra state – born thespian in a home that she literally built him.
Recently, there was a curious apology rendered by Yul Edochie to his wife on his Twitter handle, apologising for his indesretion but with a reminder of how loving as a husband and father that he had always been.
This was reportedly because a DNA test revealed that his supposedly new son, Star Edochie was in fact a child of another man.
2. Paul Okoye versus Anita
One of the Psquare brothers, Paul Okoye (rudeboy) was recently enmeshed in an ugly relationship tiff with his wife, Anita.
Anita had personal issues with her husband and elected to travel to the United States of America with their children which irked the music act who had no idea of her intention.
This was after the older brother of Paul and Peter (Psquare), Jude Okoye, tried to mediate in their squabble.
It was gathered that Anita had vehemently refused to perform her conjugal rights which led to Paul Okoye opting to get for himself a girlfriend.
The ‘lucky’ girl was 22-year-old Ivy Ifeoma who has since taken to her Instagram account to remind all that cared to know that she was a millionaire before meeting the music crooner.
Paul Okoye according to sources in the showbiz industry has paid a surprise visit to the wife and children in the States to celebrate Christmas with them.
3. Funke Akindele versus JJC Skillz
Celebrity Funke Akindele and her estranged husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, best known as JJC Skillz has been living apart after allegations of infidelity on both sides.
JJC Skillz put out a statement on his social media handles to announce the disengagement of a union that drew admiration from colleagues, friends and fans.
“Dear Friends and family, I need to let you know that Funke and I have separated. While it lasted, we shared many things and have created two beautiful children.
“The last two years have been tough for us. I have tried my best to fix things, but I believe it is beyond repair now.”
The couple have two children as stated by Funke’s husband; Zack and Zion. But another subplot conspired to wreck their marriage.
JJC Skillz has an ex-wife by name, Mella.
Mella accused the couple of mistreating her son especially his father, JJC Skillz, who physically assaulted him ostensibly due to his wife, Funke.
On a more positive side, Funke and JJC Skillz produced one of the most talked-about Nollywood movie in recent times, ‘Omo Ghetto’ which had rave reviews when it was premiered.
4. Julius Agwu versus Ibiere
Actor and celebrity stand-up comedian Julius Agwu was considered by many of his followers as one of the Nigerian entertainer that will never get involved in messy relationship situations.
Things however inexplicably went south in his union with his wife, Ibiere.
Julius Agwu in a recent interview disclosed that his wife affirmed that “she was tired” of the marriage.
“My wife said she isn’t marrying me again. She said she is tired of the marriage”.
The comedian however was grateful to God for keeping him alive afterwards after he underwent surgery.
“I was in Coma for three months. I thank God I am alive.”
“There are no rumors about my health. It is true. I had a tumour surgery in 2015, a brain surgery. When I traveled to London to do a show, just two days before the show, I was rushed to the hospital.
“That’s why I thank God I am alive. That’s why I said Satan works in-form mysterious ways but God works in miraculous ways.
The celebrity who is the producer of comedy shows like: Crack Ya Ribs, Laff 4 Christ’s Sake and Festival of Love has acted in movies like Rattlesnake (1994), After Count (2011), Torn (2013) and A Long Night (2014).
5. Saint Obi versus Lydia
Obinna Nwafor popularly known as ‘Saint Obi’ was a household name in Nigeria’s movie industry especially in the late 90s.
The stock of the graduate of Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt rose just after a movie or two he shone in.
His most popular movie job was arguably the blockbuster ‘Goodbye Tomorrow’ directed by Zeb Ejiro also starring Hilda Dokubo which was an amazing flick on the deadly Acquired Immune Defiency Syndrome (AIDS).
The once darling of Nigerian movies took a break from the screen to delve into Directing but of late has not even been involved in any movie.
Saint’s marital life has taken a deep lunge after he alleged an attempt to his life by his estranged wife, Lydia.
The couple wedded in a lavish ceremony in December 2006 but Lydia, an executive with one of the biggest Telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria in company of her brothers, Michael Amobi and Chukwumobi Amobi, attempted to kill Saint Obi.
Their three children (a boy and two girls) was also deprived by the embittered wife from seeing their father
The case was in an High court sitting in Ogun state with suit number HCT/128/2019 filed by Petitioner, Mr. Saint Obi but Lydia never showed up in any of the sittings and a bench warrant was issued for her arrest.
Prime Business Africa tried to reach out to Saint Obi when this story broke but he hung up when his phone number was called twice.
The actor was once married to the daughter of a Pastor but the union was also dissolved.
Footnote: There are also other celebrity divorce or disengagements that made headlines in the year 2022 which include: Gideon Okeke (former Big Brother Naija housemate) and wife, Chidera; Shina Rambo (relative to David Adeleke, aka Davido and his wife) and Orishefemi versus Nabila Flash, Skales and wife, precious, among others.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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