Outrage as Fake Agent Allegedly Collects ₦500K on Behalf of Esther Igbekele
Outrage as Fake Agent Allegedly Collects ₦500K on Behalf of Esther Igbekele
A fresh controversy has emerged in Nigeria’s entertainment scene as popular gospel singer Esther Igbekele publicly accused an unidentified middleman of collecting ₦500,000 on her behalf for an event she never attended.
According to Igbekele, she was scheduled to perform at an event held on Thursday, April 16, in Atan. However, she was never informed about the payment or proper booking arrangements.
Shockingly, the singer revealed that she only became aware of the situation when she received a call around midnight from organizers asking about her whereabouts. Confused by the call, she questioned why anyone would be waiting for her when no official communication had been made directly to her.
The gospel artist alleged that a “notable yeye man” had collected ₦500,000 from the event organizers under the guise of securing her appearance. She condemned the growing trend of unauthorized intermediaries who insert themselves between artists and event planners, often exploiting both parties for personal gain.
This incident highlights a persistent issue in Nigeria’s entertainment sector, where middlemen often act as gatekeepers, making it difficult for event organizers to reach artists directly. Many of these intermediaries inflate booking fees, divert payments, and create communication breakdowns that ultimately damage trust.
As a result, artists are wrongly blamed for failing to show up, while unsuspecting organizers suffer financial losses and disappointment after investing heavily in their events.
Clearly angered by the situation, Esther Igbekele warned those involved to desist, stressing that such actions tarnish reputations and undermine the integrity of the industry.
The incident serves as a wake-up call for both artists and event organizers to adopt more transparent booking processes. Artists are encouraged to establish verified communication channels, while organizers must ensure they deal directly with official representatives to avoid falling victim to similar scams.
The alleged ₦500K scam involving Esther Igbekele reflects a broader systemic problem in the entertainment booking process, where lack of transparency continues to create opportunities for fraud and misrepresentation.
