Entertainment
Drugs And Fraud: The Ugly Underbelly Of Nigeria’s Entertainment Industry(Part 1)
The Nigerian entertainment industry over the years have been riddled with tales of celebrities involved in all sorts of activities ranging from drug to fraud.
In this expose, Biztellers’ Funmilayo Olusanya would audit some of these rumors and allegations in a bid to unravel the dirty underbelly of the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Industry giants both in the music industry and Nollywood, from Sunny Ade to Wales Omidina popularly known as ‘Babasuwe’ have all had criminal activities allegations from drug pushing to fraud labeled against them.
Quite a few of them have had run-ins with the law, with respect to drug trafficking, distribution and intent to sale and fraud.
Nigeria has a serious issue of drug trafficking, as the country is said to be a major transit point for illegal drugs being smuggled into other parts of Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Drug trafficking is a serious crime that carries severe penalties in Nigeria. Those convicted can face long prison sentences and heavy fines.
Fraud on the other hand takes on many forms, including dubious business deals with advance fees, insurance scams, health care fraud, credit card fraud, bank fraud, and identity theft.
The most notorious of Nigerian scams is the advance-fee fraud scheme known as the “419” scheme, named after a statute in the Nigerian criminal code.
The Nigerian entertainers rumored to have been involved in the transportation of drugs across the country, are speculated to possibly be a part of a larger criminal organization.
A number of entertainers have been charged with drug trafficking, and fraud related issue while some are currently awaiting trials.
Here, Biztellers compiles a list of prominent Nigerian entertainers, spanning across generations, who have been linked to criminal activities such as fraud and drug-related offenses.
FELA
Starting with Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the legendary Nigerian musician and political activist.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti
Fela was well known for his controversial lifestyle, including his experimentation with drugs.
Throughout his career, Fela was open about his use of marijuana and other drugs. He claimed that drugs were a means of spiritual and political expression for him, and he often used his music as a platform to voice his views on drug use and other social and political issues.
He also established a community in Lagos, Nigeria called the Kalakuta Republic, where drug use was a common occurrence among residents.
However, Fela’s drug use had negative consequences on his personal life and health. He was arrested multiple times for drug possession and spent time in prison.
Fela was scheduled to embark on a US tour on 4th September, from Lagos to New York, but was arrested on charges of currency smuggling. The Afrika 70, Fela’s back up group in the 70’s, proceeded to board the flight, assuming that Fela would join them on a later flight. However, Fela was detained and held for trial.
The band performed a few gigs in the US but eventually returned to Nigeria without Fela. During the trial, Fela declared that he had declared the £1,600 found on him on a Customs Declaration form, but the police claimed that the form had been lost, which was met with disbelief.
Customs officials who could testify in support of Fela were detained and unable to appear in court. Fela was eventually sentenced to five years and was first held in Kiri-Kiri Prison in Lagos before being transferred to Maiduguiri, further away in the north.
Despite this, Fela and Egypt 80, his back up group in the 80’s, continued to perform at the Shrine.
In another incident, Fela was accused of possessing a joint by the Nigerian police, which he allegedly swallowed. The police then waited for him to produce the evidence in his excrement.
It is rumored that Fela used another inmate’s feces to escape the charge, while others believed that he and Baba Suwe invoked the same powerful juju. This event later inspired Fela’s iconic 1975 album, “Expensive Shit.”
Apart from Fela, two of his wives Najite Anikulapo-Kuti, 45, and Helen were arrested after being caught with drugs.
Najite was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) alongside two others for allegedly possessing 340 grammes of cannabis (also known as Indian hemp) and dried weeds in her residence located in Gbemisola Street, Ikeja, Lagos.
She claimed that her involvement in drug peddling was due to temptation, as she had been selling drinks in her Ikeja residence. She hails from Delta State and said that she resorted to selling drugs to sustain her family.
Najite was apprehended with 50 grammes of the substance while another lady, Helen Richard, 36, was found in possession of 170 grammes, and Mr. Mike Arinze, 26, with 120 grammes.
Helen Richard, who used to be a dancer with Fela, also said she was selling cannabis to sustain herself. She is a single mother.
The last suspect, Mike Arinze, said: “I was drinking beer at Mama’s place when the officers came and found the hemp in my pockets. I used to sell hemp in night clubs to survive”.
Orezi
Popular Nigerian musician – Allen Esegine – who is popular called Orezi, had a run-in with the authority for a drug-related offence in 2011. Rumours have it that the artiste was arrested in Dubai, UAE, for possession and intent to distribute narcotic products.
This rumour was vigorously denied by the musician and his team. According to the artiste’s former manager, the story is a fabrication and an underhand attempt to tarnish the image of the musician. While the rumour dissipated afterwards, many still remained unconvinced.
As the saying goes; “there is no smoke without fire”. And the singer has had to deal with banters from various quarters regarding his unverified history with narcotics distribution.
Fatoke Abiodun
Veteran guitarist, Fatoke Abiodun, who, in his heyday, was the lead guitarist of Juju maestro – King Sunny Ade – is one of the few notable entertainers with drug-related criminal history.
Fatoke Abiodun was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for drug trafficking.
The 62-year old veteran guitarist was arrested on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 with 1.575kg of cocaine while trying to board an Air France flight to Italy at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The drug was discovered in the false bottom of his luggage during the screening of passengers to Italy. Abiodun was reportedly sentenced to three years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful exportation of cocaine.
He played for King Sunny Ade for 30 years before he also lost his place as King Sunny Ade’s lead guitarist, he was ignobly dismissed from the Juju king’s band.
Zinoleesky & Mohbads
Also, Nigerian singers, Oniyide Azeez, better known as Zinoleesky, and Ilerioluwa Oladimeji, also known as Mohbads, were arrested in the early hours of the morning of the 24th of February 2022, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during a raid on their Lagos residence. The NDLEA confirmed the arrest and stated that they recovered illegal drugs, including cannabis and Molly, from the apartment and car of the two musicians.
Zinoleesky and Mohbads rose to fame after their collaborations with popular Nigerian musician, Naira Marley, in their songs and appearances in his music videos. The 26-year-old Zinoleesky is well known for his hit songs, including “Ma Pariwo” (2020), “Kilofeshe” (2020), and “Caro feat Naira Marley” (2020).
Videos of the arrest circulated online, showing the NDLEA officials in a scuffle with the two artists. The suspects themselves even streamed the moment they were rounded up on their respective Instagram pages.
The arrest of Zinoleesky and Mohbads sparked reactions from the Nigerian entertainment industry, with celebrities such as Charly Boy, Portable, and Naira Marley condemning the arrests.
Despite the controversy surrounding their arrests, the NDLEA has been firm in their stance and has stated that they will not tolerate drug-related crimes. The agency is committed to its mandate of combating drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.
NAIRA MARLEY
Naira Marley
Naira Marley is facing trial at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on charges of money laundering and internet fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an 11-count charge against the singer on May 20, 2019, and he has since pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.
The court admitted a compact disc (CD) in evidence, which contained expert analysis of the contents of an iPhone allegedly belonging to Naira Marley.
According to the EFCC, some of the credit cards found in Marley’s residence bore fictitious names, which were used for internet scams. Nigerians await to see the outcome of the trial.
In the final part, Biztellers looks at celebrities in Nollywood who, like their music industry counterparts, have been mired in drug and fraud scandals.
The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following reports that popular Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo has died at the age of 40 after an alleged battle with kidney cancer.
The heartbreaking news surfaced on Tuesday after fellow Nollywood actor Godwin Nnadiekwe shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, expressing shock and sadness over Ekubo’s reported passing.
SEE ALSO: Nollywood Actress Doris Ogala Comes Hard On Gov Alex Otti Over Abia Money
“I’m struggling to find the words. This news has truly broken me,” Nnadiekwe wrote.
“Nollywood has lost a rare soul, and I’m lost for words because this wasn’t the plan, Alex Ekubo.
“To think you already prepared your will — it’s a heartbreak I can’t quite describe. Rest well, my friend.”
According to a Nollywood source, Ekubo was rushed to the hospital on Monday after reportedly battling kidney cancer.
The source claimed the actor died on Tuesday afternoon after spending hours on life support.
The development comes months after concerns emerged over the actor’s health due to his prolonged absence from social media.
A check on his pages showed that his last post was made on December 30, 2024, raising questions among fans about his wellbeing.
Since the news broke, social media has been flooded with tributes from fans, celebrities, and colleagues mourning the actor’s reported death and celebrating his contributions to the movie industry.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Ekubo’s family nor his management team had issued an official statement regarding the reports.
Ekubo was widely known for his roles in several Nollywood blockbuster films and remained one of the most recognised actors in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2026 delivered glamour, emotional moments, and major surprises as Africa’s biggest stars gathered at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Saturday night for one of the continent’s most prestigious entertainment events.
The ceremony, which began at 7 p.m., celebrated excellence in African film, television, and digital storytelling, with several Nollywood productions dominating the night.
SEE ALSO: All The Winners From The 2025 AMVCA Awards [Full List]
One of the biggest highlights of the evening was the dominance of “My Father’s Shadow,” which emerged as the biggest winner after clinching Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing – Movie, and Best Sound/Sound Design.
Reality TV also had a strong showing as “Nigerian Idol” Season 10 won the Best Unscripted Series category.
The awards ceremony was broadcast live across Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, attracting millions of viewers across the continent.
Full List of Winners and Nominees at AMVCA 2026
Best Costume Design
Winner: “Colours of Fire” – Valerie Okeke
Nominees:
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Mary Chukuma
“The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)” – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade
“Something About The Briggs” – Yolanda Okereke
“To Kill a Monkey” – Ikechukwu Urum, John Joseph Angel
Best Makeup
Winner: “Warlord” – Hakeem Onilogbo
Nominees:
“Behind The Scenes” – Mojisola Imam
“Lisabi (A Legend Is Born)” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
“Gingerrr” – Diablaq Artistry
“Abanisete” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
“Suky” – Ruth Harcourt
“Labake Olododo” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Best Sound/Sound Design
Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Pius Fatoke, CJ Mirra
Nominees:
“Gingerrr” – Tolu Obanro
“Ben Made It” – Vaughan Phillips
“The Party” – Tolu Obanro
“Sebata (The Beast)” – Vaughan Phillips
“The Herd” – Fisayo Adefolaju
Best Writing – TV Series
Winner: “MTV Shuga Mashariki” – Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo
Nominees:
“The Wives” – Donald Tombia, Timendu Aghahowa, Chiemeka Osuagwu
“Our Husband” – Xavier Ighorodje
“Addis Fikir” – Besufekade Mulu
“Baba OH” – Temilola Balogun
“The Party” – Stephen Okonkwo
“Gizat” – Yednekachew Ayne
Best Art Direction
Winner: “Colours of Fire” – Ajamolaya Bunmi
Nominees:
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Zainab Oladupupo
“The Herd” – Omolade Abisola
“Aljana” – Olatunji Afolayan, Gideon Stephen
“Suky” – Victor Akpan
“Inimba” – Thabiso Senne
Best Writing – Movie
Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Wale Davies
Nominees:
“The Herd” – Lani Aisida
“Blackout” – Ikenna Okpara
“Cards on the Table” – Shirleen Wangari
“Gingerrr” – Xavier Ighorodje
“Suky” – Isaac Ayodeji
“3 Cold Dishes” – Tomi Adesina
Best Cinematography
Winner: “To Kill A Monkey” – Kabelo Thathe
Nominees:
“My Father’s Shadow” – Jermaine Edwards
“The Herd” – Emmanuel Igbekele
“Finding Nina” – Daanong Gyang
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Emmanuel Igbekele
“Stitches” – KC Obiajulu
“Gingerrr” – Emmanuel Igbekele
Best Digital Content Creator
Winner: “Leave To Live” – Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom
Nominees:
“Luxury Koko” – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)
“The Marriage List” – Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
“The Rate Race” – Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
“August Meeting Election” – Steve Chuks
“Did I Just Hear Muah” – Akwaman
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
Winner: “Lisabi (A Legend is Born)” – Lateef Adedimeji
Nominees:
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
“Labake Olododo” – Iyabo Ojo and team
“Aljana” – Grace Yachat Yakubu
“Olorisha” – Abiola Adeshina
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
Winner: “Inimba” – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu
Nominees:
“Kukoyi” – David Akande
“Undugu” – Hatibu Madudu
“Out N’ About (Harar)” – Bruk Yibrah
“Kamapala Creme” – Joel Ndugwa
“The Chocolate Empire” – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson
“Mgbuka” – Eze Izu
Best Unscripted Series
Winner: “Nigerian Idol (S10)” – Sulaiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder
Nominees:
“The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)” – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade
“Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa” – Graeme Swanepoel
“Off Air” – Gbemi and Toolz
“Out N’ About” – Bruk Yibrah
Best Scripted M-Net Original
Winner: “The Low Priest” – Femi D. Ogunsanwo
Nominees:
“Adam to Eve” – Lizz Njagah and Alexandros Konstantaras
“Mother of the Brides” – Rogba Arimoro and Bio Arimoro
“The Yard” – James Kalu Omokwe
“Bobo” – Maurice Muendo
Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Linda Ejiofor – “The Herd”
Nominees:
Olamide Kidbaby – “Oversabi Aunty”
Bisola Aiyeola – “Gingerrr”
Sola Sobowale – “The Covenant Series”
Nadia Dutch – “Aljana”
Amal Umar – “The Herd”
Juliebrenda Nyambura – “MTV Shuga Mashariki”
Funke Akindele – “Behind the Scenes”
Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Bucci Franklin – “To Kill a Monkey”
Nominees:
Simileoluwa Hassan – “The Yard”
Lateef Adedimeji – “Gingerrr”
Gabriel Afolayan – “Colours of Fire”
Femi Adebayo – “King of Thieves 2”
Lateef Adedimeji – “Red Circle”
Femi Branch – “Owambe Thieves”
Uzor Arukwe – “Behind the Scenes”
Best Lead Actress
Winner: Linda Ejiofor – “The Serpent’s Gift”
Nominees:
Bimbo Akintola – “To Kill A Monkey”
Ifeoma Fafunwa – “The Lost Days”
Ariyike Owolagba – “Something About The Briggs”
Sola Sobowale – “Her Excellency”
Scarlet Gomez – “Behind the Scenes”
Genoveva Umeh – “The Herd”
Gloria Anozie-Young – “Mother of the Brides”
Best Lead Actor
Winner: Uzor Arukwe – “Colours of Fire”
Nominees:
Mike Ezuruonye – “Oversabi Aunty”
Lateef Adedimeji – “Lisabi: A Legend Is Born”
William Benson – “To Kill A Monkey”
Kanayo O. Kanayo – “Grandpa Must Obey”
Khumbuza Meyiwa – “Bet I Love You”
Wale Ojo – “3 Cold Dishes”
Femi Branch – “Red Circle”
Trailblazer Award
Winner: Uche Montana
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winners: Sola Sobowale, Kanayo O. Kanayo
Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa)
Winner: “Mabanda” – Kang Quintus
Nominees:
“Safou (A Gift From Nature)” – Nyasha Makamba
“Golden Spoon” – Egbe Francis Ettabrown
Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa)
Winner: “Artal Alhanin: Our Memories” – Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma
Nominees:
“The Omnipresent” – Youssef Ben Khalifa
“The Delivery” – Abdalla Ezyan
“The Hidden Voice” – Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed
“This Is Portsaid” – Abdalla Ezyan
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Winner: “Addis Fikir” – Leul Shoaferaw
Nominees:
“Inside Job” – Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda and Barbara Njeri Maina
“Sayari” – Omar Hamza and June Wairegi
“My Son” – Isarito Mwakalindile
“Kimote” – Hassan Mageye
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Winner: “Tlhaho Ya Mosadi” – Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka and Modipadi Mokgohioa
Nominees:
“Bet I Love You” – Joseph Duke and Keamogetse Modise
“Sebata (The Beast)” – African Entertainers
“Ben Made It” – Thabang Mathuumetse and Thapelo Dikhutso
“Terra of Queens and Kuma 2” – Neo Leonardo Mokoena
Best Scripted Series
Winner: “Inimba” – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu
Nominees:
“To Kill a Monkey” – Kemi Adetiba
“The Yard” – James Kalu Omokwe
“The Chocolate Empire” – Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson
“Kash Money” – Grace Kahaki and Phillipe Benson
Best Director
Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Akinola Davies Jr
Nominees:
“Cordelia” – Tunde Kelani
“Osamede” – James Kalu Omokwe
“The Herd” – Daniel Etim Effiong
“Gingerrr” – Yemi Filmboy Morafa
“3 Cold Dishes” – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
Best Movie
Winner: “My Father’s Shadow” – Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel
Nominees:
“Gingerrr” – Ope Ajayi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola and Onyeka Nnama
“The Herd” – Daniel Etim Effiong, Efe Ejukoriem, Ulogo Chukwudi, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn and Ladun Awobokun
“3 Cold Dishes” – Martial Dansou, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi and Ly Oumar
“The Serpent’s Gift” – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
“Behind the Scenes” – Funke Akindele and Wendy Uwadie Imaseun
Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has addressed widespread online speculation claiming that he and his wife, fellow musician Simi recently welcomed twins, clarifying that the reports are false.
The award-winning artiste made the clarification during a recent interview with Great Day Houston, where he spoke about his family life and creative partnership with his wife.
SEE ALSO: Simi Urges Parents To Raise Independent, Self-Sufficient Daughters
Adekunle Gold described marriage to Simi as both inspiring and creatively fulfilling, noting that sharing a home with another songwriter allows them to exchange ideas and support each other musically.
He also expressed joy about their growing family, hinting at the excitement of raising children who may show interest in music.
However, addressing the viral rumours directly, the singer dismissed claims that the couple had welcomed twins.
“That is just the internet talking. We didn’t have twins, we have a son,” he clarified.
The clarification comes months after the couple announced the arrival of their second child in April, without initially revealing the baby’s gender or name—an omission that sparked widespread speculation online.
Adekunle Gold and Simi got married in January 2019 and welcomed their first child, Adejare, in 2020.
The couple remains one of Nigeria’s most admired celebrity music couples, known for balancing their public careers with private family life.
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