Family of the late actor Saint Obi has fired back at filmmaker Zik Zulu Okafor following his explosive article on the life and death of the movie star.
Zik made several allegations in his article including that Saint Obi was ostracised from the movie industry after he married Lynda. He also alleged that Lynda’s brothers gave Saint Obi a knife cut on his left eye and that she restricted him from having access to his three children.
Reacting to the allegations, the family said in a statement on Thursday signed by Saint Obi’s two elder sisters, US-based Ugoeze Obichuku and Jos-based Freda Nwachukwu, that their privacy should be respected at this time.
Their statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to the publication by one Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor concerning the death of our son, Mr. Obinna Nwafor, popularly known as Saint Obi, and the accompanying negative commentary in social and other media portraying his widow in an unfair and most defamatory manner. This is in no way, shape or form an accurate portrayal of the Lynda that we know and relate with.
“The Nwafor family also views the said article by Mr. Okafor as sad and most unfortunate. It was neither written in consultation with any member of the family nor authored with our consent or authority. We totally disassociate ourselves from it.
“The views and allegations contained therein are entirely the opinion of the writer. They are false, malicious and insensitive to the wife, children and entire family he left behind.
“This is a mourning period for the family, and while we appreciate the condolences of friends, fans, and well-wishers, we ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”
They added that funeral rites would be communicated to the public in due course.
Saint Obi died on May 7 after battling an undisclosed ailment.
