Francis Van-Lare, the father-in-law of Ikenna Erinne, the late US-based Nigerian cardiologist, has addressed some claims surrounding the doctor’s death.
On Friday, a Nigerian-American man identified as Clayton Udoh, in a video shared on Facebook, claimed that the cardiologist committed suicide after losing a child support case and being ordered to pay $15,000 per month.
He also alleged that Erinne’s visitation rights were restricted and that he had lost his license amid the legal battle with Suzzette Chibuogu, his ex-wife.
Udoh’s claims sparked a range of mixed emotions on social media, with many users calling for the identity of Erinne’s ex-wife to be exposed.
However, in a series of Facebook posts, Van-Lare denied the claims, arguing that his daughter, Erinne’s ex-wife, was not responsible for the cardiologist’s death.
He alleged that the child support was set at $1,900 per month, not $15,000 and that Erinne had a history of violent behavior, including holding his ex-wife and children at gunpoint for three hours.
Van-Lare claimed Erinne shot himself when the police arrived, rather than face charges of kidnapping with a deadly weapon.

Van-Lare also claimed that Erinne shot himself at the arrival of the police because he did not want to face the charges of “three counts of kidnapping with a deadly weapon”.
“Amanda Chisom posted this on her page. While there was a custody battle my daughter is involved in, and I only became aware last Monday morning at about 3 am Nigerian time that the deceased held her and her children at gunpoint for three hours after losing a custody battle, the nanny managed to escape and called the police, and on the arrival of the police, he shot himself dead,” he wrote.
“I guess he decided to kill himself instead of facing three counts of kidnapping with a deadly weapon, 25 years to life each. While I sympathise with his family for his death, my daughter is not responsible for him taking his own life, and I thank God it did not degenerate to where he shoots my daughter, grandchildren and himself. May his soul rest in peace. Everyone is the loser here, and it is traumatising for all, including me.”
In another post, Van-Lare argued that his daughter was not to blame for Erinne’s death and that she would continue to raise their children without him.
“To set records straight. Dr Ikenna Erinne’s licence was never revoked. He has active licenses in Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Maryland, so one state cannot cancel all licenses simultaneously, though none was revoked,” he said.
“The child support was set that much because he has a physically challenged son needing special care from different medical facilities, plus attending a special needs school that costs money, and courts consider the income of both parents before making decisions.
“He is not a victim but failed his son and daughter now without their father. I just thank God he did not shoot my daughter and grandchildren in his madness. Which sane person takes his own life over money he is supposed to use to support his children?
“He was asked to pay child support, not alimony or spousal support, as my daughter is self-sufficient. May his soul rest in peace regardless. My family will raise the children without him regardless.”
In another post, Van-Lare shared screenshots of custody payments made by Erinne and a restraining order filed against him, contradicting claims that he was a “quiet and peaceful guy”.
He also warned people against spreading false information about his family, stating that he would “bull doze any lying blogger” and share more revelations if necessary.
“Liars everywhere. He killed himself to avoid paying $1,900.00 monthly which he pays partially sometimes. He was not asked to pay $15,000 a month as alleged. Dead beat dad!” he wrote.
“Go to the state of Maryland Court circuit and check numerous restraining orders. Quiet and peaceful guy my foot. Any more rubbish talk about my family, I will share more revelations.
“I am a bull dozer and will bull doze any lying blogger. Nobody should blame my daughter for the embarrassment he caused everyone.”
Copyright 2025 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle