Nollywood Nigerian actor’s children detained over his medical bills

Popular Nollywood Nigerian actor John Okafor’s two children were detained after it was claimed they stole money meant to cover his medical expenses the previous year.

A crowd-funding campaign helped John Okafor, the 62-year-old, also known as Mr. Ibu, have his leg amputated in November.

Daniel Okafor, his son, and Jasmine Chioma, his adopted daughter, are charged with breaking into his phone and stealing $60,700 (£47,800).

Since being taken into custody in Lagos, the two have not commented.

Following the siblings’ appearance at a bailing hearing on Thursday, the police released a statement regarding their arrest and the status of their investigation into the purported scam.

A judge ordered that the two might be released if a $17,000 bond was paid. They are still being held.

The police’s criminal investigation team claimed to have found evidence of them installing an app on their father’s phone after the fund-raising started,

They said this made it possible for them to withdraw funds from his account.

The duo are anticipated to appear in court on March 11 for their upcoming hearing.

When the family uploaded a video of the Nollywood actor partying in the hospital to social media in October of last year, the public first learned about Mr. Ibu’s health problems. He solicited a massive response from his admirers when he requested aid with medical bills in the video.

The Nigerian comedy Mr. Ibu, which gave rise to the actor’s moniker, helped make him famous 20 years ago. It is still recognized as one of the greatest comedic roles ever played by Nigerian actor John Okafor.

In a career spanning more than two decades, he went on to act in several additional noteworthy Nollywood films, as Nigeria’s multibillion-dollar film industry is known.

A few years ago, the celebrity revealed to a local newspaper that he was the father of 13 children, some of whom were adopted.