Fresh drama as Mr Ibu’s wife, children trade allegations over financial help

The family of late Nollywood actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has become the subject of public debate after a video interview featuring his widow, StellaMaris Okafor, and three of her children went viral on social media.

The interview, conducted by social media personality, King Mitchy, and posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, showed StellaMaris appealing for support as she spoke about the family’s financial struggles following the actor’s death.

According to her, the family has been without electricity for two months after being disconnected over unpaid bills and now relies on well water for daily use.

Her daughter, Chelsea, also praised her mother’s efforts, saying, “I want to thank God for my mum. She tries everything she can to feed us, pay our school fees and make us happy.”

The interview has since generated mixed reactions online, including responses from individuals claiming to be members of Mr Ibu’s family.

Comic actor, Fred Ebere, popularly known as Tenkobo, shared a video on Instagram in which he played an audio recording allegedly sent by Valentine Okafor, who identified himself as Mr Ibu’s first son.

Reacting to StellaMaris’ appeal, Tenkobo said he was not opposed to seeking public assistance but questioned the impression that the late actor left no assets behind.

“I’m not angry that you came out to solicit help. But presenting it as if the man did not leave anything behind, did not plan his life well or did not invest is what I disagree with,” he said.

He further claimed that Mr Ibu had invested in landed properties during his lifetime and questioned what became of those assets. He also alleged that family disputes involving the late actor’s relatives had contributed to some of the challenges surrounding his estate.

Another video surfaced online from Somtochukwu Okafor, who also claimed to be one of the late actor’s sons.

In the video, Somtochukwu alleged that StellaMaris had sold several of Mr Ibu’s properties after his death without sharing the proceeds with some of his children. He further claimed that she ignored his requests for financial assistance, including support for his WAEC examination fees.

He also alleged that proceeds from the sale of properties in Lagos, Enugu and Asaba, as well as funds reportedly donated by Nigerians during Mr Ibu’s illness, were not shared with other members of the family.

He said, “My father’s property in Lagos was sold for N60m, and she did not reach out to any of his children. When I contacted her to ask for money for my WAEC, she said she didn’t have any. She didn’t reply some of my messages and did not pick my calls.

“The house in Enugu was also sold for about N17m. She later sent me only N14,000, saying she was just ‘dashing’ me the money. It was later I discovered that the property was sold for N17m. My father also had a property in Asaba, which she sold for N11m without giving me anything.

“There was also N60m in the bank, as well as about N66m donated by Nigerians during my father’s illness. All of it, I believe, was kept without being shared.”

In a subsequent post on Friday, Mitchy stated that the sum of N7.5m had been raised from compassionate Nigerians and had been sent to StellaMaris. Also responding to the claims made by Somtochukwu, StellaMaris alleged that three people were involved in the sales of her late husband’s properties, adding that the property in Enugu that was sold for N17m was used to augment the burial expenses of the deceased actor.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time StellaMaris has been involved in public controversy over finances.

In 2023, during Mr Ibu’s prolonged illness, a dispute arose over donations raised for his medical treatment. The controversy involved StellaMaris and the actor’s adopted daughter, Jasmine, after Mr Ibu publicly appealed for financial assistance for multiple surgeries.

While Jasmine alleged that StellaMaris attempted to divert donated funds for personal use, StellaMaris denied the claim, insisting that she had no access to the donation account.