The year 2022 has been a roller coaster year for many Nigerian celebrity marriages. As some tied the knots with their lovers, others loosened theirs despite being married for quite a number of years.
Lovely pictures and social media posts between couples could sometimes be deceptive as behind the scenes these celebrities might have had just enough in their relationships.
Below are 12 shocking celebrity marriages that crashed in 2022 as examined by Punch
1. Funke Akindele and Abdulrasheed Bello (JJC)
Many Nigerians did not see this coming. Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz called it quits after six years of marriage. JJC announced via his official Instagram handle that he had separated from Akindele, stating that his marriage with Akindele has had issues for the last two years.
He also said he had to move out of their home three months prior to the announcement after Akindele insisted he did. The news about their split came just before Akindele was announced as the deputy governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State.
2. Julius Agwu and Ibiere
Popular comedian Julius Agwu confirmed earlier in December to Sunday PUNCH that his marriage to his wife, Ibiere had crashed despite reports earlier in the year that their marriage had hit the rocks. Although there were allegations of cheating on the part of Agwu, in the interview, he said his wife told him she was tired of the marriage.
3. Paul Okoye and Anita
Paul and Anita Okoye’s marriage was one of the messy ones. The duo had been married for eight years before a court in Abuja dissolved their marriage just four days ago. In July however, Anita laid heavy allegations against husband Paul, while filing for a divorce. Some of which included infidelity, fraud, being an absent parent, among others.
Paul has also been seen recently with a new girlfriend
4. Basketmouth and Elsie
Veteran comedian, Bright Okpocha, just yesterday (Thursday) announced a breakup with his wife, Elsie Okpocha, after 12 years of marriage. Basketmouth via his verified social media accounts announced an end to their marriage. He wrote, “As much as it pains me to bring my personal life to the public space, this is an unavoidable situation. After much deliberations, my wife and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage.”
5. Korra Obidi and Justin Dean
Popular singer and dancer, Korra Obidi and ex-husband Justin Dean, had one of the messiest breakups this year. Dean revealed back in March that he had filed a divorce to end his marriage with the singer, saying it was the hardest decision of his life. He said he was leaving the marriage because of his mental health. He then promised to fight Obidi in court for full custody of their two girls.
Obidi who was quiet for a while then went on to say in a Facebook live that Dean stole her money and emptied her bank accounts adding that “he just wanted her and her girls to be homeless.” The tearful singer had lamented bringing her divorce matter to social media but said she could not be silent over the matter anymore.
In November the American-based Nigerian dancer, took to social media to celebrate as she finalised her divorce from her husband.
6. Oritsefemi and Nabila
In October, Nabila Fash announced that her marriage with singer Oritsefemi had packed up. She accused Oritsefemi of incessant cheating. She revealed at the time that they were currently going through a divorce process after discovering that the singer had welcomed a child with another woman while they were still married.
Oritsefemi had two daughters from two different women before they met, and Nabila had said she took the girls as her own daughters. She however said the singer had gotten another lady pregnant while they were dating, and while they got married, he welcomed another daughter with the same woman.
The PR guru added she has had to deal with his constant cheating as several women reached out to her to inform her of his cheating habits. Nabila said that Oritsefemi was expecting a son with the fourth woman during the period he came online to ask the public to help beg her, narrating how she had to move out of their home because he was physically abusive towards her. Although, the singer came out to say he was never abusive to his wife. The duo tied the knot in 2020.
Nigerian celebrity dancer, Kafayat Shafau, popularly known as Kaffy, opened up on her separation from her husband, Joseph Ameh in January. The mother-of-two disclosed the breakup in a video on her Instagram page saying their destinies did not align adding that it was best for them to go their separate ways in order to focus on their careers.
Kaffy also noted that divorce or separation was not supposed to be toxic or bitter.
8. Gideon okeke and Chidera
Nollywood actor and former Big Brother Naija housemate, Gideon Okeke, announced in October that he had separated from his wife Chidera, after four years of marriage. Okeke made the announcement on his Instagram page via his Insta stories, although troubles in their marriage had surfaced earlier in August, 2022. Okeke said it was a hard pill to swallow and urged fans to respect their privacy at the time.
9. Saint Obi and Lydia
Veteran actor Saint Obi and his wife, Linda Amobi, also had a messy breakup this year. They also battled over the custody of their three children after a divorce suit. The actor even alleged an attempt on his life by his estranged wife.
The 56-year-old actor further alleged that his estranged wife allegedly “imprisoned” their three children with the help of men of the Nigerian Police Force. The couple married in 2006 and have three children together, two boys and a girl together.
10. Do2dtun and Omotayo
In one of the latest divorce dramas, Omotayo, the wife of on-air-personality Kayode Oladotun popularly known as Do2dtun, filed for divorce over alleged forced abortion, domestic violence and emotional abuse. The duo married in 2013 and have two children together.
The court also granted them divided custody of the children which Omotayo did not oppose to, pending the final determination of the suit in court. She also thereafter petitioned the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja through her lawyer for unlawful entry, malicious damage, criminal trespass and unlawful use of policemen by Do2dtun.
But reacting to the allegations via Instagram the radio host accused his wife’s family and lawyers of spreading lies about him. He also promised to expose the family’s “wicked” and “deceitful” ways.
11. Skales and Precious
In a then unreleased track in November, Nigerian rapper and singer John Njenga-Njeng better known as Skales, said he ‘‘didn’t know he was married to the devil.”
The 31-year-old rapper, who married Precious Hassanity, a chef, in September 2021, shared snippets of the unreleased track, which sounded more like a diss track targeted at his wife, calling her all sort of unprintable names for the third time in two weeks.
12. Sina Rambo and Korth
In another December crash, the marriage between the son of the Osun State Governor, Adesina Adeleke popularly known as Sina Rambo, and his wife Korth hit the rocks as the latter accused her estranged husband of violence.
Korth took to her Instagram stories to accuse Sina Rambo and his sister of violence, as she shared videos, chats, and pictures to prove her claims. She added that the marriage was over as she refused to succumb to abuse. She further accused the governor’s son of debt and she asked him to pay back the money he owed her. (The Punch)