The family dispute escalated after Somtochukwu, Mr Ibu’s fourth child, released a video accusing Stellamaris of secretly selling his late father’s properties in Enugu, Asaba and Lagos. He alleged that she kept all the proceeds for herself and her biological children.
Somtochukwu’s video came in response to an earlier interview Stellamaris granted to content creator Mukoro “King Mitchy” Michelle. In the interview, the widow said she and her three children were facing severe financial hardship, struggling to pay rent and school fees, and were in urgent need of financial assistance.
Responding to the allegations in a follow-up interview with King Mitchy, Stellamaris dismissed Somtochukwu’s claims, insisting that the only property sold was a piece of land in their village. She said the decision was made with the knowledge and consent of Mr Ibu’s other children.
According to her, the entire N17 million realised from the sale was used to fund the late actor’s funeral.
“Before they sold the land, we were still in the village, and they (the children and family) were arguing with me over the money they gave me during the burial. They insisted that I must share the money with them. I told them the money was for my children.
“The money was N500,000. Regarding the land in Enugu State, three of us sold it to fund my husband’s burial. We sold the land for N17 million and used it for the burial. Go and ask the children,” she said.
Stellamaris also claimed that throughout their marriage, Mr Ibu never told her that he had previously been married or had children with other women.
“My husband never told me that he was married before. Even the first son, I kept seeing him in the house. My husband never for one day told me that he was his son. When I married my husband, he impregnated a lady who later gave birth to twins,” she said.
King Mitchy also disclosed that well-meaning Nigerians had donated a total of N7.5 million to support Stellamaris and her children.
Mr Ibu died on March 2, 2024, at a Lagos hospital after suffering cardiac arrest. He was 62 years old.
