Shade Okoya, wife of billionaire industrialist, Razaq Okoya, has denied reports that some persons who attended the birthday of Nigeria’s High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Justice George Oguntade, had died of coronavirus.
Mrs Okoya, her husband, relatives and friends were part of guests who attended the 80th birthday celebration of the retired Supreme Court justice in London on March 10.
In a statement she posted on Instagram on Thursday, she said she could confirm that her family have been well 16 days after the event.
She also said she did not know anybody who attended the event and was showing symptoms of the virus.
“My husband, myself and family members plus all our close friends were all in attendance and I can confirm that we are all well and fine after 16 days of attending,” she wrote.
“To the best of my knowledge and findings none of the guests in attendance have shown any signs or symptoms of the deadly Coronavirus as I text this today, the misinformation being circulated on social media lacks all credibility and its aim is for blackmail purpose only.
“This is simply fake news and I am using this platform to debunk it.”
Okoya urged “bloggers and social media influencers” to avoid false news that would cause panic.
“I am overwhelmed by the love and concern shown by all who have called and messaged me and I pray and hope all will be back to normal soon,” she said.
Celebrity publisher, Dele Momodu, had earlier said he had gone through the mandatory 14-day waiting period and has shown no symptoms after attending the event.
Others who attended the birthday include Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, Kessington Adebutu, Olu Okeowo, Maj Gen Ike Nwachukwu, Abiola Dosunmu, Bola Shagaya, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Hakeem Muri Okunola, Wale Babalakin and Evangelist Ebenezer Obey.
