Mr Ibu, Nollywood veteran, has died. The actor, whose real name is John Okarfor, was 62.
According to multiple reports from sources close to him, the veteran comedian passed away at Evercare Hospital. Many fans have shared condolences on X (formerly Twitter), reminiscing on movies the late actor has featured in.
Confirming his death, the President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Emeka Rollas, posted a message on his Facebook page.
According to Rollas, “Sad day for Actors Guild of Nigeria.
“Kate Henshaw lost her mother earlier today and Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest according to his manager for 24 years, Mr Don Single Nwuzor.
“I announce with (a) deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu didn’t make it.”
Details surrounding his death are still expected. Also, Mr Ibu’s family and representatives have yet to comment publicly.
The actor had been battling health issues since October 2023 and had undergone multiple surgeries that led to the amputation of his leg.
However, updates from his family in November indicated he was recovering.
The news of his death comes less than 24 hours after the demise of Quadri Oyebamiji popularly known as Sisi Quadri, another Veteran Nollywood Actor.
In 2019, Mr Ibu alleged that his kinsmen paid some of his domestic workers to poison him because of his successful career.
Also, in May 2022, the comic actor again alleged that he was poisoned for the third time.
In an interview with Vanguard, Okafor disclosed that he was already “seeing people on the other side” but God brought him back to life.
He said: “My illness was perpetrated by people that hate me. They did what they did to me. Later, I was taken to the hospital.
“The doctors are prophets. So, they went into my system and told me what was wrong and what they were going to do.
“I said ‘Whatever you are going to do, please, do it, let me live because if I die the enemies will laugh’. And then the doctors said ‘Okay, there’s no problem’.
Meanwhile, several notable Nollywood figures have posted lighted candles, mourning the actor.
