Mercy Eke’s ‘trapped N100m’ in Heritage Bank, Paul Okoye vs Saida Boj… top entertainment stories of last week

Last week was eventful in showbiz. TheCable Lifestyle looks at the top entertainment stories that got tongues wagging in the past seven days.

TOYIN ABRAHAM UNDER FIRE OVER POLITICAL AFFILIATION

Last week, Toyin Abraham, the actress, was under heavy criticism over her political affiliation.  

The film star, who is a keen supporter of President Bola Tinubu, has always been on the receiving end of intense criticism over the current administration’s policies.

The backlash intensified recently following the economic hardship in the country, with several Nigerians berating some celebrities — including Abraham — for endorsing Tinubu during the 2023 presidential elections.

Last Tuesday, an X user inquired when the actress would share the president’s plans with the public. Several other users also hurled abuses at the actress; some of which she responded immediately.

Reacting to the backlash, Abraham said she will never go public with her political affiliations again. 

The filmmaker also broke down in tears while vowing to take action against trolls.

SPYRO OFFERS ‘CRUSH’ NENGI ALL-EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO HIS TOUR IN CANADA

Spyro offered to take Nengi Hampson, the former Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) housemate, on an all-expense paid trip to Canada.

Spyro has been open about his feelings towards Nengi in the past few weeks.

Last week, the singer shared a picture collage of himself with Nengi on Instagram, saying they coincidentally wore black outfits on the same day.

He also asked critics who described Nengi as “bad bi**h” if they knew whether she was the kind of lady he wanted.

The singer referred to the reality TV star as “beautiful, well-behaved, calm, and collected”.

Spyro also disclosed that he would like to take Nengi on an all-expense paid trip to Canada for his music tour  — starting on Friday. 

I’M STILL TECHNICALLY MARRIED TO BLOSSOM CHUKWUJEKWU, SAYS MAUREEN ESISI

Maureen Esisi, the Nigerian fashion designer, claimed she and actor Blossom Chukwujekwu are “technically” still married — despite their separation in 2019. 

Esisi and Chukwujekwu tied the knot in 2015. But their union hit the rocks four years later.

In 2022, Chukwujekwu got married to Winifred Akhuemokhan. Their traditional wedding was held in Benin city, Edo state.

But last week, Esisi argued that their divorce was never legally finalised, adding that she did not sign any “court documents”.

HANKS ANUKU: HOW THE VIDEO INSINUATING I WAS MENTALLY UNSTABLE RUINED MY CAREER

Last week, actor Hanks Anuku said the viral video insinuating he was mentally unstable “ruined” his career.

Anuku said he lost friends and money, adding that producers no longer contacted him for jobs.

The 64–year-old also said he was only trying to fit into the movie’s character which required him to be a mentally unstable man.

Anuku added that he went through pain and was “heartbroken” that “someone could do this to me”.

FALZ: WHY I STOPPED CRITICISING GOVERNMENT 

Falz, the Nigerian rapper, said he stopped being critical of the federal government because he does not want to be seen as the bearer of complaints.

“You will see that guy. But I do not want that guy to get to a point where he is seen as ‘you guys just dey complain’. I do not want to ever get to that point. That is why I am taking a pause from just complaining. I want to rearrange how I am doing it,” he said.

LAYI WASABI: I DON’T BELIEVE IN THE CONCEPT OF A GIRLFRIEND

Layi Wasabi, the Nigerian skit maker, said he does not believe in the “concept of having a girlfriend”.

Layi said he begins any relationship with “courtship”. He also said he prefers the term “partnership”, adding that he has to “see a wife” in the lady from the start of their relationship.

RUDEBOY VS SAIDA BOJ

Saida Boj slammed Paul Okoye, the singer better known as Rudeboy, for criticising her controversial remarks about dating and sex.

Saida’s remarks had triggered mixed reactions on social media. While some users heavily criticised the influencer for misleading young women, others defended her.

Last week, Okoye joined the fray, saying “more girls will continue to fall victims” for listening to influencers like Saida.

“As long as you continue to allow some of these idiots to influence your daughters to bill men and know their worth, more girls will continue to fall victims,” he wrote. 

Responding, Saida slammed the 42-year-old singer, claiming he “betrayed” his ex-wife.

The influencer alleged that Ivy Ifeoma, Okoye’s new partner, only married him for financial reasons.

MERCY EKE CRIES OUT OVER N100M ‘LOCKED’ IN HER BANK 

Mercy Eke, the ex-BBNaija housemate, last week raised the alarm that her “N100 million” was stuck in her Heritage Bank account. 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the banking licence of Heritage Bank Plc, raising curiosity about how depositors and shareholders would fare in terms of getting back their funds.

The CBN had explained that its decision on the licence revocation was made due to the bank’s inability to improve its financial performance.

Following the development, the NDIC said it would pay a maximum of N5 million insured deposits to each customer of Heritage Bank.

But in a post via X, Eke said she has over “N100 million in my Heritage Bank account” which was opened for her during season 4 of BBNaija — which she won. 

I do… and have above 100m with them .

— Mercy Eke (@real_mercyeke) June 6, 2024

“I really don’t no how to react about this … I have been hoping for the best .. thinking there’s a way out…. #heritagebank,” she wrote in one of the posts.