Monalisa: You are a wife beater, Uncle tells ex-husband

The last hasn't been heard of the recent crash of actress Monalisa Chinda's marriage with former boss of Questionmark Records, Segun Dejo-Richards, as Monalisa's uncle and her ex-husband have continued to trade counter-accusations in respect of what was responsible for the break down of the five-year old marriage.

Disturbed Segun who never believed that it was all over between him and Monalisa, reportedly accused Lisa's uncle, Mr. Alex Kool Ibeh, as being the brain behind his irretrievably broken down marriage with Monalisa. But a recent statement issued on behalf of Monalisa by her lawyer, Festus Keyamo, debunked this accusation as Monalisa herself has cited incompatibility and irreconcilable differences as part of the reasons their five year-old marriage crashed like a pack of cards.

Quoting the beautiful actress who is one of the 13 Glo Ambassadors recently selected by the telecommunication giant, she said, “Like millions of other marriages, my marriage had its own strains and stress. I loved and adored my husband but there were many areas of incompatibility between us.

These instances of incompatibility led us to disagree strongly on many occasions. At the end, it appeared we could not manage the situation, which led to the marriage breaking down irretrievably.”

However, despite this defence, while Monalisa has gone underground to protect her ego since the crack in her marriage became public issue, her disillusioned husband has allegedly chosen to heap the blame on his erstwhile in-law.

Segun, according to Ibeh, accused him of arresting, assaulting and detaining him at the police station, and also ill-advising his ex-wife, Monalisa, in terms of considering the option of quitting her troubled marriage.

In a massage e-mailed to HVP en titled, “Mr. Kool's story: My connection with Monalisa Chinda's mairrage”, Ibeh denied having anything to do with Segun's failed marriage. In fact, Ibeh, in the message dated September 11, 2009(12.00pm) accused the former boss of Questionmark of running a four year- marriage of manipulation, ceaseless battery and physical abuse of his wife.

“Mr Dejo_Richards made sure that Monalisa ex_communicated her siblings, family and friends so as to achieve his evil manipulation and wife beating without detection. She was loyal and submissive (or should I say colonised and subdued). So, if anyone ever had the chance to advise her, it would be at those times she helplessly cried out for help, when the beating was unbearable,”Ibeh fumed.

Washing off his hands from the crashed marriage, Lisa's uncle said Segun's many sins resolved around his inability to manage his home front and be realistic to his priceless wife. He admitted having two grouses with Segun: one, “to stop being rude to my elder sister (Monalisa's mum), and secondly that “Monalisa, his wife, you can manipulate her all you want but stop beating her.”

The many sins and lies of Mr. Segun Dejo-Richards: I am in possession of sms and media publications with false and malicious allegations made by Mr Segun Dejo_Richards against me to the media; accusing me of master_minding his marriage break down.

All intended to drag my name (Mr Kool) into his crisis with my niece (Monalisa Chinda).

What I will say in this statement will be read by my family, friends, fans, colleagues, Monalisa's mother, Monalisa herself, and even Segun Dejo_Richards; so it will be the truth and it will be consistent.

First, please let me state clearly that – I am not speaking for Monalisa but to clear my name (Mr. Kool) of all the blatant lies Mr. Segun has told the media and the world. When and if my niece (Monalisa) decides to speak, she will tell her inside story.

This would be the first time in my career that I am forced to exchange words with anyone through the media, (whether artiste, marketer, management, promoter or anyone else). Also, on Saturday, 5th Sept 2009, I sent an sms to Mr Dejo Richards, advising him to stop lying to the press.

I also forwarded it to his lawyer. Before I go on, let me thank Mr Segun Dejo_Richards for NOT accusing my niece (Monalisa) of infidelity. Am also glad that in all his interviews, he described her as a _ “a faithful, loyal and loving wife”.

He also stated that he has been a “a caring and loving husband”. My question now is 'Why would a 'faithful, loyal and loving wife' run away from a 'sweet and loving husband?'

More of Segun's many Lies

Dejo-Richards alleged that I arrested, assaulted and detained him. At what police station? No such incident ever happened. He also claimed that I came with policemen to take his property – on what date? What property did we take?
And if we didn't take anything…what stopped us? I am not illiterate.

Festus Keyamo chambers is competent, and already on top of the matter. Why would I throw myself in? I have not been to Segun's house in over a year (since June, 2008) during one of his violent emergencies.

He alleged Monalisa has been in my house after leaving their home. While he knew where she was staying with a friend, he also knew I had not seen or spoken to Monalisa in five months (since Easter Sunday _until last Saturday, 29th August 2009).

He alleged that I introduced Monalisa to Festus Keyamo? Never.

Festus Keyamo had already issued a press release before Monalisa came to my house on the last Saturday of August (after environmental sanitation).

He claims that his 'beloved wife' was being ill advised by her family and other Nollywood ladies, when he knows she ran away from fours years of manipulation, ceaseless battery and physical abuse. Mr Dejo_Richards made sure that Monalisa ex_communicaed her sibblings, family and friends so as to achieve his evil manipulation and wife beating without detection. She was loyal and submissive (or should I say colonised and subdued).

So, if anyone ever had the chance to advise her, it would be at those times she helplessly cried out for help, when the beating was unbearable.

He said I didn't approve of his marriage to my niece. It's not true. In 2005, he brought two bottles of Remy Martin cognac to my house, requesting my approval. I accepted the drinks and then encouraged our family to go on with the process.

But I just didnt approve of his evil ways and I told him point blank. Segun called me an adviser/instigator_ bloody ingrate. Even his own friends will bear me witness that contrary to his lies, I have on many occasions last year, sought for peace and reconciliation between him an his wife. I went to his house on three occasions to dialogue, talked from 8pm_1am but Segun would not listen.

I later invited Segun to my house for peace talk. His friends came but Segun never showed up for one day. His wife and three_month_old daughter were in my house for five weeks (May _July 2008.) Monalisa was using my car to take her baby to the hospital for inoculations. Because at that time also, Segun seized her car.

I even spoke to his pastor, to no avail. His friends and pastor may be reading this now and they know the truth. Even though as a loyal wife, Monalisa covered up for her husband when the media started buzzing and went back to him.

His only truth: Yes, I've called him names like_ manipulator, schemer , user, wife beater and now an incurable liar ( but I never did it in public or in front of his wife.

I always asked Monalisa to leave us when spoke with Segun man to ma. I never tried to bring him disrespect). I knew his game from the first time I saw him in London. I told him straight up that I didn't trust him. But the truth is that Segun has not fallen short of these names I called him.

I have two grouses against Segun Dejo Richards: firstly, to stop being rude to my elder sister (Monalisa's mum), and secondly, to see Monalisa as his wife. Manipulate her as you want but stop beating her. But before I continue, I would like Segun Dejo_Richards to tell the media and perhaps, the entire world the following secrets: Why would Monalisa, whom he referred to as a 'faithful, loyal and loving wife' abandon a 'sweet and loving husband?'

Why would Monalisa leave her home for over a month without taking any personal item as a woman? Or did she run for safety and her clothes didn't matter then?

Why would Monalisa even need police to go to her matrimonial home to pick up her personal stuff as a lady? Could it be that she's afraid of more violence from Segun?

Segun claimed that Monalisa came with her uncle and policemen to take her car (after five weeks). Why did she not take the car when she was leaving? Why would she deliberately trek or hitch a cab when there are two posh cars at home?

Why would Mr Dejo_Richards who loved his wife quickly go on to change the papers (ownership) of her said car to himself? Maybe his agenda was driving him reckless.

Why would Segun allow his 'loving Celebrity wife and beloved one year old daughter suffer under the sun and rain to catch cabs or hitch a ride while he kept two good cars at home?

If Monalisa was acting on bad advice, why didn't she discreetly plan and wait till her husband went out and she so take all her things and leave?……Again, maybe it all happened too quickly and all she could take was her life?

As a loving husband whose loving wife ran away for seven weeks without reason, who did Mr Dejo_ Richards alert? The police, his mother in_law or myself_ her usual refuge? Nobody, because Segun knew his cup was full. All this media hoopla is just blackmail and cover up.

How come after six weeks, none of Segun's family members has asked about the whereabouts of their dear wife_ Lisa?

The crisis making headlines… Have they not heard?….But they are not to blame, maybe, as a renegade, Segun is not answerable to anyone, and would not heed any advice. Why is it that at the tick of a second, Segun will not fail to tell the press or anyone else how he 'created the Monalisa brand and her Nollywood career?'….

Could it be he ensured that Monalisa stopped being her own person, the Theatre Arts graduate, a beautiful, well brought up young woman, the first daughter of a highly civilised royal family, to become a craftily designed money making venture owned by Segun Dejo_Richards.

Why would my darling niece who always ran to me for refuge, ex_communicate me for five months, and didn't even tell anyone in the family (not even her mother),that she had left her marriage for over a month?

Why would Monalisa travel to Port Harcourt and have her mum call me just last week to ask me what was going on, while we both live here in Lagos? Maybe, because she felt embarrassed to face me, cos I have tried my best and tired of Segun's arrogance. But in her own words, “I didn't tell anyone because I did not want any pity or advice. It's my personal decision.”

Why does Segun refer to Monalisa Chinda as his 'beloved wife' yet he constantly feeds the media with lies about her? My answer to this one is simple– Mr Segun Dejo Richards is like An evil rat, wey go dey bite you, dey blow you breeze. Just For the records: Monalisa Chinda is my niece. Her mother is my eldest sister (also the first born). Since I was a child, we've been a close family. With all humility, I'd say that we come from a decent civilised background; and we imbibe love, patience, tolerance, respect and value for integrity.

We do not interfere in each other's relationships but can be protective if need be. And when I settled in Lagos, Monalisa lived with me in the same Festac home from day one of her acting career in Nollywood; and later went to England to do a course in Cosmetology.

She had the best childhood you can imagine- love, care and good upbringing. She has never been a money_hungry person. If money was on her mind, Segun will not be an option for marriage. And if money was the disagreement, she will give it all to Segun (maybe she did).

Therefore, I will humbly appeal to the media to discard any rumours that the GLO endorsement (Glo money) has affected her negatively. I am sure she will remain a responsible Glo Ambassador. Let's not forget that before the endorsement, she has also been a successful Nollywood actress and gets paid like others.

I'm really sorry. I had to speak to clear my name. You know I didn't want to get involved in the media thing. Segun left me no choice. I rest my case.