A family member of filmmaker Femi Adebayo has responded to social media criticism over the eviction of his estranged wife, Omotayo Sanusi, popularly known as Iyan Aladuke.
Mrs Taiwo Abdulmalik, who is related to Femi, said the eviction from a Lagos property was the result of a bank foreclosure and not an act of abandonment.
She explained that Femi bought the property with a bank loan and when repayment issues arose, the bank began recovery proceedings. According to her, Sanusi was aware of the loan arrangement and knew the bank was coming for recovery, noting that “she knew Femi bought those properties with a loan and that the bank was coming for recovery. Those properties belong to him alone, and he is still paying heavy principal with interest.”
Abdulmalik said that once the bank moved in, the filmmaker ensured that Sanusi, her family members living with her and her staff were relocated to a short let apartment, adding that “immediately the bank moved in, he made sure she, her family members living with her and her staff were moved to a short let apartment, and he paid for everything.”
She added that Femi encouraged Sanusi to find another rented home and offered to cover the cost, saying “he told her to go and look for a house to rent and promised that he would pay, no matter how expensive it was.”
Abdulmalik also said that in 2022, Femi bought a parcel of land near Sanusi’s business on Muritala Muhammed Way and registered it in her name as a financial backup, but was later surprised when she sold the land and spent the money.
Addressing claims that the actor had neglected his family, Abdulmalik said the Jagun Jagun actor has continued to support their son and disclosed that he spent about $50,000 last year on a medical procedure for the child in India. She insisted that “he has never stopped taking care of his son. He loves his children dearly and is very involved in their lives.”
Sanusi, however, has disputed parts of the family’s account in messages shared on social media. She alleged that men with firearms came to her business premises as part of the eviction and claimed her aged mother was also forced out. She said she did not want to take the matter online but felt compelled to respond because of what she described as “false information” circulating about her.
