On Thursday, the Nigeria Police Force announced that it had detained the son and adopted daughter of Mr. John Okafor, also referred to as Mr. Ibu, on suspicion of stealing the ailing actor’s N50 million, which was obtained through donations intended to support the thespian’s failing health.
Onyeabuchi Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu are accused of plotting to commit the crime, according to the Force through its Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Alagbon, in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
The ailing thespian’s family disclosed in October 2023 that the star had undergone five surgeries and was in need of donations from his fans while he sought out additional treatment overseas.
But according to a statement released by the FCID on Thursday and signed by its public relations officer, Mayegun Amina, the arrest came in response to a petition that Diamond Waves Law filed on behalf of the actor Stella Okafor, claiming that two of Mr. Ibu’s sons had plotted with his adopted daughter, Jasmine, to defraud their father.
The Force revealed that its investigation revealed the suspects had hacked the thespian’s phone in order to commit the crime.
The text of the statement said, “On September 6, 2023, a petition was received from Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor, wherein one Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Valentine Okafor, both of whom are sons of Mr. John Ikechukwu Okafor (Alias Ibu) and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu, were alleged to have conspired to defraud Mr. Ibu while being on sick bed.
“Investigation into the case established that as part of efforts to fund his medical bills, Mr. Ibu launched a public fund-raising initiative and attracted donations from his fans, entertainment industry players, and other well-spirited members of the public into a bank account, which he publicized and dedicated for the purpose.
“Mr. Ibu’s wife, Mrs. Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor, was initially managing the funds to defray the medical bills of Mr. Ibu and sustain the family. However, along the line, the duo of Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu manipulated Mrs. Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor, took possession of Mr. Ibu’s phone, and hacked into the banking details therein.”
According to the police, the two allegedly reinstalled the banking app on the actor’s phone and transferred N55 million from the donations for the actor’s medical bill with the goal of using the money to take a vacation overseas.
But the Force also asserted that it had found N55 million that had supposedly been taken from the actor’s account.
