Entertainment
2022: Nigerian celebrities lead as marriages continue to crash
1. Funke Akindele and Abdulrasheed Bello (JJC)
Many Nigerians did not see this coming. Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz called it quits after six years of marriage. JJC announced via his official Instagram handle that he had separated from Akindele, stating that his marriage with Akindele has had issues for the last two years.
He also said he had to move out of their home three months prior to the announcement after Akindele insisted he did. The news about their split came just before Akindele was announced as the deputy governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State.
2. Julius Agwu and Ibiere
Popular comedian Julius Agwu confirmed earlier in December to Sunday PUNCH that his marriage to his wife, Ibiere had crashed despite reports earlier in the year that their marriage had hit the rocks. Although there were allegations of cheating on the part of Agwu, in the interview, he said his wife told him she was tired of the marriage.
3. Paul Okoye and Anita
Paul and Anita Okoye’s marriage was one of the messy ones. The duo had been married for eight years before a court in Abuja dissolved their marriage just four days ago. In July however, Anita laid heavy allegations against husband Paul, while filing for a divorce. Some of which included infidelity, fraud, being an absent parent, among others.
Paul has also been seen recently with a new girlfriend
4. Basketmouth and Elsie
Veteran comedian, Bright Okpocha, just yesterday (Thursday) announced a breakup with his wife, Elsie Okpocha, after 12 years of marriage. Basketmouth via his verified social media accounts announced an end to their marriage. He wrote, “As much as it pains me to bring my personal life to the public space, this is an unavoidable situation. After much deliberations, my wife and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage.”
5. Korra Obidi and Justin Dean
Popular singer and dancer, Korra Obidi and ex-husband Justin Dean, had one of the messiest breakups this year. Dean revealed back in March that he had filed a divorce to end his marriage with the singer, saying it was the hardest decision of his life. He said he was leaving the marriage because of his mental health. He then promised to fight Obidi in court for full custody of their two girls.
Obidi who was quiet for a while then went on to say in a Facebook live that Dean stole her money and emptied her bank accounts adding that “he just wanted her and her girls to be homeless.” The tearful singer had lamented bringing her divorce matter to social media but said she could not be silent over the matter anymore.
In November the American-based Nigerian dancer, took to social media to celebrate as she finalised her divorce from her husband.
6. Oritsefemi and Nabila
In October, Nabila Fash announced that her marriage with singer Oritsefemi had packed up. She accused Oritsefemi of incessant cheating. She revealed at the time that they were currently going through a divorce process after discovering that the singer had welcomed a child with another woman while they were still married.
Oritsefemi had two daughters from two different women before they met, and Nabila had said she took the girls as her own daughters. She however said the singer had gotten another lady pregnant while they were dating, and while they got married, he welcomed another daughter with the same woman.
7. Kaffy and Joseph Ameh
Nigerian celebrity dancer, Kafayat Shafau, popularly known as Kaffy, opened up on her separation from her husband, Joseph Ameh in January. The mother-of-two disclosed the breakup in a video on her Instagram page saying their destinies did not align adding that it was best for them to go their separate ways in order to focus on their careers.
Kaffy also noted that divorce or separation was not supposed to be toxic or bitter.
8. Gideon okeke and Chidera
Nollywood actor and former Big Brother Naija housemate, Gideon Okeke, announced in October that he had separated from his wife Chidera, after four years of marriage. Okeke made the announcement on his Instagram page via his Insta stories, although troubles in their marriage had surfaced earlier in August, 2022. Okeke said it was a hard pill to swallow and urged fans to respect their privacy at the time.
9. Saint Obi and Lydia
Veteran actor Saint Obi and his wife, Linda Amobi, also had a messy breakup this year. They also battled over the custody of their three children after a divorce suit. The actor even alleged an attempt on his life by his estranged wife.
The 56-year-old actor further alleged that his estranged wife allegedly “imprisoned” their three children with the help of men of the Nigerian Police Force. The couple married in 2006 and have three children together, two boys and a girl together.
10. Do2dtun and Omotayo
In one of the latest divorce dramas, Omotayo, the wife of on-air-personality Kayode Oladotun popularly known as Do2dtun, filed for divorce over alleged forced abortion, domestic violence and emotional abuse. The duo married in 2013 and have two children together.
The court also granted them divided custody of the children which Omotayo did not oppose to, pending the final determination of the suit in court. She also thereafter petitioned the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja through her lawyer for unlawful entry, malicious damage, criminal trespass and unlawful use of policemen by Do2dtun.
But reacting to the allegations via Instagram the radio host accused his wife’s family and lawyers of spreading lies about him. He also promised to expose the family’s “wicked” and “deceitful” ways.
11. Skales and Precious
In a then unreleased track in November, Nigerian rapper and singer John Njenga-Njeng better known as Skales, said he ‘‘didn’t know he was married to the devil.”
The 31-year-old rapper, who married Precious Hassanity, a chef, in September 2021, shared snippets of the unreleased track, which sounded more like a diss track targeted at his wife, calling her all sort of unprintable names for the third time in two weeks.
12. Sina Rambo and Korth
In another December crash, the marriage between the son of the Osun State Governor, Adesina Adeleke popularly known as Sina Rambo, and his wife Korth hit the rocks as the latter accused her estranged husband of violence.
Korth took to her Instagram stories to accuse Sina Rambo and his sister of violence, as she shared videos, chats, and pictures to prove her claims. She added that the marriage was over as she refused to succumb to abuse. She further accused the governor’s son of debt and she asked him to pay back the money he owed her.
Speaking on News Central Television in a video shared on X on Thursday, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, House of Representatives aspirant described the incident as an abuse of power, adding that it raised concerns about citizens’ safety and data protection in the country.
Ike confirmed that he has initiated legal proceedings against Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
“It was shocking. It was so disturbing that I felt unsafe. I felt insecure. For the first time, I’m feeling like, is anybody safe in this country anymore? That kind of feeling, that’s what it was like to me.
He alleged that the incident reflected what he described as political recklessness and abuse of authority.
“It’s an abuse of power. It’s the extreme to radicalism, political radicalism. It’s basically telling Nigerians that we’re in charge, we know you all, (0:52) we’ll do what we want and we can get away with it. That’s very, very irritating and I feel very disturbed by this,” he added.
The actor said his legal team had already written to the parties involved, including Olayinka, INEC, his political party, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police, to formally document the complaint.
His death was confirmed on Tuesday by his colleagues, Funke Akindele, Bolanle Ninalowo, and Godwin Nnadiekwe, who claimed to be his ally.
Sharing on her Instagram story, Akindele wrote, “Hmmmmmm. Rest in peace, Alex. I tried to reach out to see you one more time, but I guess you knew best. May your kind soul rest in peace, Alex. ‘Ore mi like you fondly called me, I will always remember and cherish the good times we shared together. Rest in Peace, Alex.”
Meanwhile, Ninalowo, who is now in the United States, also mourned on his page, writing, “Rest on, Alex. May God heal your family and us all.”
Nnadiekwe, on the other hand, shared, “I’m struggling to find the words. This news has truly broken me. Nollywood has lost a rare soul, and I’m lost for words because this wasn’t the plan, Alex Ekubo. To think you already prepared your Will — It’s heartbroken, I can’t quite describe. Rest well, my friend.”
As of the time of filing this report, his family has not issued a statement on his death.
Recall that fans across social media recently expressed concerns for Ekubo following his first public appearance after months of social media silence.
The light-skinned movie star had been absent from Instagram since December 30, 2024, sparking speculation about his well-being.
However, a recent video that surfaced online brought him back into the spotlight, though it also raised further questions.
In the viral clip, Ekubo was seen interacting with a group of children, appearing noticeably slimmer and subdued.
The footage triggered a wave of emotional reactions from fans, many of whom noted a significant change in his appearance and questioned his wellbeing.
Before his demise, the actor dismissed marriage in favour of his quest to earn more money in the film industry.
In January 2023, his then-lover, Fancy Acholonu, in an interview, revealed that she dated the late actor for five years without them having any intimacy.
The US-based model also called off her wedding to Ekubo in December 2021, after apologising to the film star a year later for calling it off.
Acholonu affirmed her love for the actor, saying that “like our shirt says, Nothing makes sense when we’re apart @alexxekubo you still have my heart.
“I miss you, I love you, and I’m truly sorry for all the hurt & pain you and your family went through with our breakup.”
She noted that her actions were out of character, and she has realised she could have controlled her emotions and not been so overreactive.
However, in a post on his Instagram page, Ekubo implied that he was aware that some people were curious about why he has not yet been married.
The film star said he was more interested in making money. He urged people not to bother about his marital status.
The news of his passing was announced on Tuesday by a fellow actor, Tony Akposheri, in an Instagram post.
Akposheri expressed shock and sadness over the death of the actor, recalling their recent interactions.
He revealed that they had recently spent time together during the New Year, sharing memories and discussing future plans.
“Today, my heart is heavy. Davis Ofor, fondly known as Clarus from New Masquerade, is gone.
“We crossed into the New Year together, laughing, talking, sharing memories, and speaking hopefully about the days ahead,” he wrote.
“We spoke about life, about plans, about how far we had come. None of us knew that time was already counting differently for you.”
Describing the late actor as more than just a screen personality, Akposheri paid tribute to his character and impact.
“It is hard to believe that the voice I heard not long ago is now a memory. Hard to accept that someone so full of life can suddenly become a story we tell.”
He added, “Rest well, my friend. You came, you gave joy, you made your mark, and you will never be forgotten.”
Clarus gained prominence for his role in New Masquerade, one of Nigeria’s most popular television comedy shows, where his character became a household name.
Details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately available.
Ofor rose to prominence for his role as Clarus in New Masquerade, a widely acclaimed Nigerian television comedy that aired on the Nigerian Television Authority and became a household favourite in the 1980s.
His portrayal of the comic character earned him national recognition and endeared him to audiences across the country, making Clarus one of the most memorable figures in Nigerian television history.
According to the unaudited financial statements of Nigerian Breweries Plc, International Breweries Plc, and Champion Breweries Plc for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the companies collectively recorded strong top-line performance driven largely by beer sales.
Nigerian Breweries Plc, the largest brewer in the country, recorded net revenue of N1.05tn for the period, up from N710.87bn in the corresponding period of 2024. Cost of sales stood at N631.23bn, resulting in a gross profit of N415.15bn.
After accounting for selling and distribution expenses of N193.85bn, administrative expenses of N59.58bn, finance costs of N39.15bn, and other charges, the company posted a profit after tax of N85.51bn, compared with a loss of N149.50bn in 2024. Basic earnings per share rose to 275 kobo from a loss of 1,455 kobo in the previous year.
In March, Nigerian Breweries Plc announced a return to profitability in the first quarter of 2025, reporting a 186 per cent increase in net profit compared to the same period in 2024. The unaudited financial results released on the Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that revenue for the period ended March 31, 2025, rose to N383.6bn, representing a 68.9 per cent increase from N227.1bn recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
International Breweries Plc, which operates in Nigeria and other West African markets, generated revenue of N472.57bn for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up from N343.45bn in the same period of 2024.
The company reported a profit after tax of N57.83bn, reversing a loss of N112.81bn in 2024. Cost of sales increased to N311.64bn from N248.58bn, while administrative, marketing, and distribution expenses rose to N92.09bn from N72.68bn.
International Breweries Plc posted a profit of N11.9bn for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, marking a turnaround from a loss of N47.3bn in the same period last year. The company’s unaudited financial statements showed revenue increased to N167.4bn in Q2 2025 from N120bn in Q2 2024, while gross profit rose to N61.9bn from N33.8bn.
Overall, the combined revenue of the three companies amounted to N1.54tn, with Nigerian Breweries Plc accounting for the bulk of sales.
Analysts say the figures highlight the resilience of Nigeria’s beer market, which continues to benefit from strong brand loyalty and distribution networks despite rising production costs and broader macroeconomic pressures.
Commenting on consumer behaviour, the Head of Financial Institutions Ratings at Agusto & Co., Ayokunle Olubunmi, said the market is experiencing a gradual shift in spending patterns, with some consumers reducing beer consumption, a trend influencing how breweries adjust their strategies.
“Following AB InBev’s acquisition of International Breweries, the company invested in new breweries and production facilities to expand capacity. This indicates that firms are prioritising scaling operations and improving efficiency to meet rising demand and strengthen their market position,” Olubunmi said.
On the broader economic impact, the Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, Ayo Teriba, cautioned that strong sales figures do not necessarily translate into greater economic contribution.
“The point is that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Sales may be boosted by size, but if that size reflects purchases from other companies rather than actual value added, the contribution to the economy is limited. What really matters is net output, what value the company is actually creating. GDP, after all, is the sum of value created, not just total sales figures,” Teriba said.
Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been remanded in custody following his arraignment on Monday over multiple criminal charges.
The singer was arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on assault, theft, causing bodily harm, and resisting arrest.
Confirming the development, Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the charges stemmed from a complaint filed by Portable’s estranged partner, Ashabi Simple.
The arraignment followed a viral video on Sunday showing the singer in police custody.
According to the prosecution, Portable allegedly assaulted Ashabi Simple, several police officers, and other individuals at his bar located in Iyana Ilogbo on New Year’s Day.
Other alleged victims listed in the charge include Ileyemi Damilola, Akinyanju Oluwabusayomi, Olowu Olumide, Demilade Ogunniyi, and Ebuka Odah.
Portable is also accused of stealing a Mercedes-Benz E300 valued at N12 million, belonging to Ileyemi Damilola and reportedly purchased from Wally Dex Auto.
It was gathered that two siblings of Ashabi Simple testified as witnesses in court, although Ashabi herself was absent during the proceedings.
The police further alleged that Portable obstructed and assaulted a female police inspector, Ogungbe Olayemi, while she was carrying out her official duties.
The presiding judge denied the singer bail, citing the absence of the allegedly assaulted police officer in court. The judge ruled that the officer must be present before bail could be considered.
Portable was consequently remanded in custody, with the bail hearing adjourned to January 19, 2026.
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