Popular comedian Okey Bakassi, has strongly condemned stealing, declaring that economic hardship can never justify criminal acts. The outspoken entertainer made the remarks during a fresh interview with Sunday Scoop, drawing from his own recent experiences as a victim of theft.
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Bakassi did not mince words.
“Difficulties are real, but they do not justify stealing. We all have a responsibility to behave properly, regardless of circumstances.”
He pointed out that Nigeria has existing structures for citizens to seek help, urging people to use them instead of turning to crime.
“In Nigeria, there are structures in place. Everyone has representatives, from the House of Assembly to the House of Representatives and the Senate. If people are truly facing hardship, there are channels to seek help and make their voices heard.”
Bakassi questioned how many actually engage these systems:
“The real question is, how many people actually make the effort to engage these systems? How many go to their representatives to say, ‘We are suffering, we need support’? There is still a lot of work to be done in that regard. Resorting to crime should never be the response to hardship.”
The comedian shared that he and his friends were robbed during a friendly football match, and a similar incident happened more recently when someone stole about four phones at an event.
“From the information I have been getting, this is not an isolated case. Different individuals have been involved in similar incidents in other places.”
Known for his comedy and community leadership, Okey Bakassi continues to use his platform to speak on social issues affecting everyday Nigerians. His latest comments come amid widespread economic challenges in the country, where many cite hardship as a reason for rising crime rates. By drawing a clear line between difficulties and criminal choices, the veteran entertainer is sparking fresh debate on personal responsibility and civic engagement.