The family of late Nollywood legend John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has been thrown into fresh turmoil as his son publicly accuses widow Stella Marris of allegedly squandering properties and funds meant for all the children, shortly after she cried out for financial help online.
Stella Marris and her children recently lamented their current hardship in a video with influencer King Mitchy. She revealed they now fetch water from a well due to unpaid house rent, their electricity has been disconnected for two months, and they rely on others to charge their phones.
Read Mr Ibu Family Cries Out in Pain: “We Can’t Afford Rent”
The plea triggered strong reactions, especially from Mr Ibu’s son, Okafor Somotochukwu, who accused his stepmother of taking control of assets that should benefit all the late actor’s children.
“My name is Okafor Somotochukwu, the 3rd son of John Okafor Mr Ibu and 4th child of Mr Ibu. When my father passed away, he left behind properties and assets meant for all his children. However, my stepmother (Stella) took control of everything for herself and her own children.”
The son specifically alleged that Stella sold several properties without involving other heirs.
“She sold my father’s house in Lagos for ₦60 million… She also sold his house in Enugu for about ₦17 million… She also sold another property in Asaba for ₦11 million without giving me anything.”
He further claimed she mismanaged over ₦66 million contributed by Nigerians during Mr Ibu’s illness, while he struggled to pay his own school fees.
Movie producer Stanley Ontop also queried Stella’s cry for help, questioning what happened to the late actor’s assets two years after his death.
“How can you come out two years after your husband’s death and start asking Nigerians to contribute money for you? What exactly is the money for? Mr Ibu left ₦66 million in his account. Where is the money?”
He also referenced funds raised during the burial and properties allegedly sold in Asaba and Enugu.
Mr Ibu, who was married five times, passed away in March 2024 after a prolonged illness. Stella Marris was his fifth and last wife. The veteran comedian had many children from different marriages.
The latest family feud has sparked mixed reactions online, with many questioning the management of the late actor’s estate while others sympathise with Stella’s position as a widow raising children alone.