Encomium
Ani Obinna Factual is an actor and a multi media practitioner. He became popular when his pictures went viral as popular actor, Nonso Diobu’s twin brother.
Several reports went viral that he was impersonating Nonso to scam his fans. In an exclusive chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Friday, June 27, 2014, during a courtesy visit , he opened up for the first time on the rumour alleging he was also a victim of the scammer.
Can you tell us about yourself?
I am Ani Obinna Factual. I am from Enugu State from a family of seven. I am an actor and into multimedia.
People believe that you are Nonso Diobu’s look-alike?
Yes, that’s what people say. When I look deeply into the mirror I know we have our differences. It all began in 2009. Someone approached me and said I resembled him. I went online, got his pictures and as a graphic person, I compared and contrasted and it seemed we were alike.
People hardly differentiate the two of us. The pictures went viral online and became the talk of the town. Bloggers called us twins and some gossiped I was his missing brother.
There was an allegation online that you have been using his pictures to scam his fans?
It’s but what’s false about it is that I was also a victim of the impersonator. Let me brief you on how the issue began. When my pictures went viral, a lot of people became my fans on social media. Since I am into movie production, I decided to shoot a movie that would feature Nonso and I as look alike.
I made some contacts but my effort to reach him was unfruitful. I decided to locate him on facebook but failed.
However, a blogger wrote a story on Nonso having an issue with Tonto Dikeh. Someone responded with Nonso’s twitter account and I believed he was the real one. I followed him and he responded. He said my missing brother. The person called me and I was happy and we became friends as we chatted and spoke on phone. I told him about the movie and he decided to help out.
The impersonator said I should help him out with phone configuration and customised SMS. I created an account for him. All these while we never met. Later, I told him how much he would collect for the movie. He said he will encourage me and just give him anything. I said I have N100,000. I just said it because I knew it sounded ridiculous for a professional like him. He said he will accept that.
I was shocked but elated. I asked how would I get the script across to him. He said I should come to Anambra State. I was on my way to Abakaliki to shoot a movie. Thus, I decided to branch at his place so we could seal the movie deal. On getting to Anambra, I called but no response. I was about giving up when he called back that he was engaged and that I should come over to Awka. I went there but sadly, his phone became incommunicado. I was forced to lodge at a hotel.
That was when I started suspecting foul play. The next day, he called and apologized that there was an emergency. Later, he called that he was stranded and couldn’t get a call card. I sent him N1,500 card. What nailed him was when he said I should lodge the N100,000 into his account and that he needed N100,000 because he was stranded.
That was when I knew he was a scammer. I just asked how he was able to hack into Nonso’s account and he switched off the phone. Then he blocked me from all his social media. It was then a friend of mine sent me a link where it was reported that I have been using my pictures to scam Nonso’s fans. I saw the link and it was my picture. Only few would know it wasn’t Nonso. I was confused because the news was everywhere.
It was then it dawned on me that the impersonator had been using my pictures too to defraud people. What happened was that during our relationship, he would ask me to send my pictures and he would use them on his twitter. In less than 10 minutes people commented thinking it was Nonso.
I never knew he used those pictures to scam them. I was also a victim.
Have you ever seen or met Nonso Diobu?
No. I have not. It was my quest to meet him that has landed me into this mess.
Have you complained to the police?
I have not but after due consultation, I decided to clear my name and that’s why I am opening up for the first time. But we have concluded plans to inform the Police PPRO, Ngozi Braide about the issue.
– FEMI OYEWALE
