The controversy surrounding the death of popular Nigerian comedian and broadcaster, Gbenga Adeboye, has resurfaced 23 years after his demise. In a recent interview on the Kasnaty Show, his widow, Omolara, spoke about her experiences following her husband's death, alleging that members of his family abandoned her and that some of his relatives interfered with his property. She also dismissed rumours that she had remarried after his death, insisting that she remained unmarried.
Omolara alleged that her late husband's brother, Femi Adeboye, took documents relating to a house Gbenga built. She claimed that Femi initially promised to return the documents but later told her he had handed them over to the head of the family. Omolara also recounted being told that Femi travelled to Ibadan to consult a herbalist and obtain charms against her. The widow presented several letters allegedly written by her late husband and his siblings during the interview.
However, her comments reignited longstanding disagreements between her and her late husband's relatives. Two of Adeboye's sisters, Seun and Sayo, challenged her claims, insisting that some of the issues she raised did not reflect what happened. They presented their accounts of the disputes before and after their brother's death. Seun described her brother as a caring person, recalling how he once looked after her when she was ill.
Seun also dismissed allegations that Gbenga was involved in fetish practices or belonged to the Ogboni fraternity, insisting that he was a prayerful man. Sayo made further allegations, accusing Omolara of mistreating Gbenga during his final days. She claimed that Omolara brought an Islamic cleric from Ibadan, who allegedly performed a ritual involving a hen, a heated knife and a black substance.
Sayo also questioned the authenticity of the letters Omolara presented during the interview, arguing that they looked unusually new despite supposedly being several years old. She further accused Omolara of disregarding medical advice while Gbenga was hospitalised. According to her, family members had been cautioned against eating in front of him because of a surgery he had undergone.
One of the most contentious allegations raised by Sayo concerned the paternity of Omolara's three children. She claimed that Gbenga told their elder brother, Femi, while on his sickbed, that Igwe was his only biological son. The sisters said they had not planned to discuss the family disagreements publicly but decided to respond to what they described as false claims about their brother and the family.
Responding to the allegations, Omolara said she was not informed when her husband was transferred from one hospital to another. Her son, Igwe Adeboye, also spoke about the emotional toll of his father's death on the family, particularly his mother. Gbenga Adeboye, popularly known as Funwontan, was a comedian, broadcaster, musician, songwriter and master of ceremonies whose distinctive Yoruba humour and storytelling made him a household name.
Key points
- The controversy surrounding Gbenga Adeboye's death has resurfaced 23 years after his demise.
- Omolara alleges that her late husband's family members abandoned her and interfered with his property.
- The widow's comments have reignited longstanding disagreements between her and her late husband's relatives.
