Why I sold my late husband’s properties – Mr Ibu’s widow

Stella Okafor, widow of late comic actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has broken her silence over allegations that she sold her husband’s properties after his death.

Stella, who has been under public scrutiny following her recent appeal for financial assistance, insisted that the sale of the late actor’s Enugu land and house was not her personal decision.

Speaking in an interview with content creator King Mitchy, she said the properties were sold by the family to raise money for Mr Ibu’s burial.

According to her, she acted alongside two of the actor’s sons, Valentine and Daniel Okafor, in selling the Enugu land for N17 million.

“That land that was sold in Enugu, three of us sold that land because of the burial. It was N17 million. Go and ask the children,” she said.

Stella also denied claims that she single-handedly sold Mr Ibu’s house.

“We sold the house. I am not the one who sold the house. We sold the house,” she said.

Her explanation comes amid heavy backlash after she publicly appealed for help, claiming that she and her children had been without electricity for two months and that the children had been sent home from school over unpaid fees.

The appeal reportedly attracted over N7 million in donations.

However, Somtochukwu Okafor, Mr Ibu’s third son, dismissed Stella’s claims of hardship, alleging that she had sold several properties after the actor’s death.

Actor Tenkobo also criticised her, accusing her of using the late actor’s name to solicit public sympathy and donations.

The controversy became more heated after a woman who claimed to be Mr Ibu’s first wife accused Stella of financial mismanagement and alleged that she sold some of the late actor’s properties without properly consulting the wider family.

She also accused Stella of playing a role in the arrest of two relatives during Mr Ibu’s illness.

Reacting to the family dispute, Stella claimed that Mr Ibu never told her he had been previously married or had children from an earlier relationship before she married him.

“My husband never told me that he was married before. Even the first son, I keep seeing him in the house. My husband never for one day told me that he was his son,” she said.

She further alleged that Mr Ibu had children with another woman during their marriage.

The late comic actor died in March 2024 after a prolonged battle with illness, leaving behind a legacy as one of Nollywood’s most beloved comic figures.