How Police Recovered N50 Million Stolen from Ailing Nollywood Actor Mr Ibu; Charge Son, Lover for Conspiracy, Stealing

In a recent development at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbion, Ikoyi, Lagos, detectives have successfully recovered N50 million, which was illicitly withdrawn from the bank account of the ailing Nollywood actor, Mr John Okafor, famously known as Mr Ibu. The recovery follows the arrest and subsequent court charges of Mr Ibu’s son, Onyebuchi Okafor, and his lover, Jasmine Okekeagwu, on counts of conspiracy and stealing.

The arrest was prompted by a petition submitted by Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Mr Ibu’s wife, Stella Maris Okafor, dated September 6, 2023. The petition alleged that Mr Ibu’s sons, Daniel and Valentine Okafor, along with Jasmine Okekeagwu, conspired to defraud the actor.

According to ASP Mayegun Aminat, the spokesperson for the FCID, investigations revealed that, in an effort to fund Mr Ibu’s medical bills, he initiated a public fundraising campaign, attracting donations from fans, entertainment industry players, and the public. Initially, Mrs Stella Maris Okafor managed the funds for medical expenses.

However, a twist occurred when Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu manipulated Mrs Stella Maris Okafor, gaining access to Mr Ibu’s phone and hacking into his banking details. They subsequently transferred funds from Mr Ibu’s public fundraising account to Onyeabuchi Okafor’s personal bank account, totaling N55 million before their arrest.

Forensic analysis of their financial dealings revealed that N5 million was spent on questionable transactions, while the remaining N50 million was successfully recovered. The investigation also exposed text messages via WhatsApp detailing the conspiratorial plans between Jasmine Chioma and Daniel Okafor.

Further revelations indicate that the suspects planned to escape to the United Kingdom, having engaged in a sham marriage at the Ikoyi Marriage Registry. They had even applied for a UK Visa to facilitate their escape with the proceeds of their criminal activities.

Onyeabuchi Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu have been charged to Chief Magistrates Court 1, Yaba, in Charge No. A/06/2024 for conspiracy and stealing. They were granted bail in the sum of N15 million with two sureties in like sum. The case has been adjourned to March 11, 2024, and the case file has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.