Over two years after the death of beloved Nollywood comedian John Ikechukwu Okafor, widely known as Mr Ibu, his widow and children have been found living in desperate circumstances, with no electricity, unpaid rent and children unable to attend school.
The family's plight came to public attention after content creator King Mitchy visited their home and shared footage of the conditions they were living in.
King Mitchy's video has since attracted extensive sympathy and uncomfortable questions across social media.
Stella Maris Okafor, Mr Ibu's widow, told King Mitchy that the family had been without electricity for two months, had not paid their house rent, and were fetching water from a neighbourhood well.
"I have not paid the house rent and they even cut my light for two months now. Every night we go to where there's light to charge our phones. It's not easy. Today, the school sent me a message for school fees," she said.
Her daughter, speaking directly to the camera, appealed to those who knew her father to come to their aid.
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"I want to thank God for my mum. She tries everything she can to feed us, pay our school fees, and make us happy. Nigerians, if you are in the industry with my dad, you are seeing us now. Come and help us," she said.
The video prompted an outpouring of sympathy from fans, with many calling on the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to intervene.
Others questioned the whereabouts of donations that had been publicly made during Mr Ibu's prolonged illness, as well as the role of his other relatives and children from outside the immediate family.
Mr Ibu passed away on March 2, 2024, at the age of 62, following a long and heavily publicised battle with diseased blood vessels and blood clotting complications that led to multiple surgeries and the eventual amputation of one of his legs.
The actor died of cardiac arrest at Evercare Hospital in Lagos and was laid to rest in his hometown of Amuri, Enugu State.
Mr Ibu had appeared in more than 200 Nollywood films across a career spanning decades, becoming a household name for his expressive facial contortions and his portrayal of lovable, clumsy underdogs.
He rose to international recognition following his role in the 2004 comedy classic Mr Ibu, alongside Osita Iheme, and went on to feature in titles including Mr Ibu in London, Police Recruit, and Bafana Bafana.
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