Nigerian comedian and actor Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, known as Okey Bakassi, has dismissed claims that he and his wife, Ezinne, have separated. He insists their marriage is still strong after 25 years together.
The comedian said these false reports, which included photos of him and his wife, upset their family. It also made friends, relatives, and fans reach out to them for clarification.
In a video addressing the rumor, Mr Bakassi mentioned that he was filming when the news started spreading online.
"While I was on a set today filming a new project, someone was busy on social media disrespecting my family and me," he said.
"Someone went on social media and created an article with my name, my picture, and that of my wife on it, alleging that we have gone our separate ways."
This denial came after rumors circulated online claiming that the couple had split. A report from Prompt News claimed that Mr Bakassi had revealed a crisis in his marriage.
The report alleged that Ezinne, his wife, asked for a divorce after moving to the United States. She was pursuing a nursing career and took their children with her, which he said put a strain on him financially.
Mr Bakassi said the publication led to calls from people around the world. Some even reached out to his wife about the rumor.
He assured his supporters that they are still together and called his wife and children the core of his life.
"Please let me say to my friends, family, and fans that my wife and I are still together. God forbid that anything happens to us," he said.
"If you know me very well, you will know that the most important thing to me is my wife and my family; my children that God has blessed me with."
In response to the rumors, the comedian criticized those who spread the report without checking with him or his family first.
He also denied claims that his wife lived in the United States and worked as a nurse, stating those details were false.
"But you know that opportunities like this allow us to know those who truly care about us. Some people saw that fake news and went ahead and spread it instead of reaching out to me or any member of my family to confirm if it is true," he said.
He urged anyone who saw the publication to report the page that posted it. He said the claims caused unnecessary pain to his family.
"So please, if you saw that article, go back to the originator of the fake news and report that page for the disrespect and the pain they are trying to cause my family," he said.
The comedian added that this incident showed him who really cared about his family. He expressed his displeasure over what he called an attempt to create division.
Mr Bakassi married Ezinne, whom he affectionately calls Zizi, on 1 September 2001 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on 1 September 2026, marking a relationship that began in 1988 when they first met in Port Harcourt.
In a social media post celebrating their anniversary, the comedian remembered how they became friends through love letters before higher education temporarily kept them apart. They reunited and got married in the same city where their love story started.
Their marriage is blessed with three children: two daughters, Dera and Fechi, and a son, Cheta. The actor described them as young adults and thanked God for the family they have built.
Mr Bakassi also credited his wife for supporting him through his career and personal challenges. He described her as a reliable partner.
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