Rapper, Ruggedman, has released an open letter acknowledging 9ice’s apology to him six years after he was wrongly accused of an adulterous relationship with the singer’s ex-wife, Toni Payne.
The aggrieved rapper conceded that the rumour was fuelled by journalists and bloggers who did not care to know the truth.
“In 2010 9ice released a song that made a lot of people wrongfully drag me into a terrible situation. People who misconstrued the song and it created a rumour. A terrible false rumour, that was fuelled by journalists and bloggers who were only after hits on their sites. Bloggers and journalists who did not care to investigate and confirm a rumour, but chose to print and post it anyways not caring who got hurt in the process.
“I remember pleading my innocence and that of Toni Payne’s but social media people being who and how they are, chose not to listen,” he said.
Ruggedybaba also revealed that he requested that 9ice speak publicly about what was obviously false, but he refused to clarify the matter to the world.
”I remember calling 9ice on the phone CIA style to talk to him about it and he was clearly heard admitting the song was not about myself or Toni Payne, but social media people being who and how they are, chose not to listen.
“I remember asking 9ice to publicly clear the air on the terrible rumour, but was shocked when my friend said he would not because he was busy and didn’t have time for such. Again nobody wondered why.”
He further expressed that he was shocked to hear that 9ice finally came out to debunk rumour after six years.
“Fast forward 2016. Six years later and I was surprised when I heard that 9ice has finally come out to say I never slept with his wife and the song was not about me and even apologised on top. That he has finally come out to say the truth about the issue that cast a negative shadow over my head and that of his ex-wife for six years.
“All I can do is smile because I know me better than anybody out there who insulted me over the matter. I said it then and I say it now, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens will never sleep with his friends’ wife.
“Families and husbands you can now relax. Your daughters and wives are safe around me hahahahaha!!” he joked.
He however told 9ice that although he has accepted his apology, it came a bit too late.
“To 9ice, bro you left it a bit too late. You had your chance to clear this matter up 6 years ago when it really mattered but you did not take it. I do not know why and exactly what it was that made you keep quiet all that while. I did my best to clear my name without you and have moved on since. Anyways I accept your apology and thank God we are all alive.”
The 39-year-old went on to caution bloggers to find out the truth before publication.
“To bloggers and journalists: You will be who and how you are, but the best and most successful ones amongst you will be the ones who actually get professional about with their work and try to investigate stories before putting it out there. I really hope you all realise it’s not all about the hits. Do not lose your humanity all because you want to be the first to break news.”
9ice recently released a statement saying that his ex-wife never cheated on him with Ruggedman, who happened to have introduced the two in the first place.
He also apologised to Toni and the rapper for all the hurts the allegations must have caused.
