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CLASSICS: Laide Bakare’s hubby flees to UK

…after he’s declared wanted by EFCC for fraud and theft

Laide Bakare and hubby, Tunde Orilowo
Laide Bakare and hubby, Tunde Orilowo

Following the recent declaration of Lagos socialite, Alhaji Tunde Muttairu Orilowo, wanted for offences relating to fraud by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ENCOMIUM Weekly’s investigations revealed that the 47 year-old businessman and husband of popular actress, Laide Bakare is no longer in Nigeria.

A source close to Tunde Orilowo informed us that few weeks before appearing on the EFCC’s Wanted List, as advertised in The Nation newspaper of Tuesday, March 25, 2014, he has jetted out of the country to the United Kingdom. His actress wife has reportedly joined him. The couple are now living in palpable fear in the UK as a result of the embarrassment and  public disgrace that the matter has caused them.

In a quick reaction, one of the actress’ aides, who didn’t want his name mentioned, disassociated the actress from the mess, stressing that, after all, she’s not the one being wanted by the anti-graft commission.

He said, “Leave Laide Bakare out of this mess! I see no reason you should involve her in this scandal. She’s not the one being wanted by EFCC, it’s just unfortunate that this is happening less than a year after their wedding. It’s unfair to involve Laide in this case.”

He, however, declined comment on the rumour that the couple had fled the country earlier before the EFCC declaration.

bakare
The banner declaring him wanted by EFCC

On Friday, April 4, 2014, our efforts to speak to Orilowo’s younger brother on the matter didn’t yield the desired result, as he was trying to avoid lending his voice into his brother’s messy situation.

He said, “My brother, I am in a hectic traffic, I can’t speak to you now on that issue. Please, call me back.”

When we called him back later on the same day, he gave the similar excuse, noting that we should rather call him on Saturday, April 5, 2014. We did, but he told us he’s at a social function.

We sent sms to him, which reads, “Greeting sir. My name is Rasheed Abubakar, a journalist with ENCOMIUM Weekly. It’s no longer news that your brother, Tunde Orilowo, has been declared wanted by EFCC. We learnt he has fled to the UK. We want to confirm if it’s true, and what’s your reaction? Thanks.” But he also declined comment, saying, “No comment for now. Thanks.”

The news has since generated mixed reactions from fans of the thespian. While some have been defending the actress, seeing the report as the handiwork of Laide’s enemies as the said advertorial is yet to be posted on EFCC website. Others disagreed, insisting that Tunde Orilowo is a fraudulent person as declared by EFCC.

One of the fans identified as Godwin, described Tunde Orilowo as a decent man. Another fan said, “I trust him with my life, EFCC has been bribed by haters, Laide Bakare you are great.”

While reacting, a fan said, “My brother, there is nothing like bribe. I saw the newspaper myself, he is wanted. Laide can you see your life, this is just the beginning. May God have mercy on you.”

Head of Media and Publicity to the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, while speaking with ENCOMIUM Weekly, cleared the air on the advertorial, saying that it wasn’t without their knowledge, despite not posted in their website. Probed if there is any development about the suspect’s whereabouts, he swiftly reacted, “Do you know his whereabouts? Please, if you have any information about his whereabouts, contact the commission in its Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port-Harcourt and Abuja offices.”

The quarter page advertorial published in the page 13 of The Nation newspaper, with the caption, “Wanted By EFCC”, read in part, “The public is hereby notified that Alhaji Muttairu Babatunde Babaegbe Orilowo, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Obtaining Money under False Pretences and Stealing. Dark complexioned Orilowo is 47 years old, 5.7 Feet tall and has brown eyes. He speaks English and Yoruba fluently. His last known address is No. 1 Otunba Adeniyi Street, Papa-Epe, Lagos.”

Early last year, the actress publicly and officially announced to the world that she has found a new love (Tunde Orilowo), whom she said she would spend the rest of her life with. A lot of people within and outside the industry condemned the decision, knowing full well that she was married to an America based Nigerian, Olumide Okunfulure, with a daughter, but Laide went ahead without minding whose ox was gored. Now that EFCC has declared the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with wanted, what will now become the fate of the famous actress? Only time will tell!

 -RASHEED ABUBAKAR 

This story was first posted on encomium.ng on Sunday, April 13, 2014

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CLASSICS: Why I am in hiding- Laide Bakare’s husband, Orilowo reveals

Today’s major headlines ( Sunday, November 30, 2014)