Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke has finally broken his silence after he was caught on camera assaulting his colleague, Uche Maduagwu, for questioning his lifestyle and source of wealth.
KanyiDaily had published a video showing the moment Jim Iyke was seen confronting Uche Maduagwu to the point that he started assaulting the latter after he tracked him down to his studio.
Before the attack, Maduagwu had accused Jim Iyke of being a fraudster and ritualist, saying he was hoping for the day the EFCC would apprehend him and question his lifestyle and source of wealth.
During an interview with BBC Igbo, Jim Iyke has debunked claims that his attack on the fellow actor was a stunt aimed to promote his new film, Bad Comments.
Iyke said he was angry with the way Maduagwu was going about painting people black, adding that he had asked Uche to stop making a mockery of not only him but other celebrities on social media.
“I have spent almost two decades in this business for somebody to rubbish my efforts. I went there to talk to him more like a brother but unfortunately what happened, happened.”
The actor, who disclosed that he and Maduagwu have now settled their squabble, admitted that he didn’t behave like a mature and elderly colleague despite Madagwu’s libellous claims about him.
“Though many people blamed him for his actions but I also did not behave well as an older brother and a public figure.
“We have forgiven ourselves. I told him to use his talents positively. I decided to go on my own to register my displeasure about his actions towards me.”
Reacting to speculations that the incident was a public stunt for his new film, Jim Iyke said:
“It wasn’t a stunt for my forthcoming movie. Those people he is busy disparaging can turn around to assist him tomorrow.
“I am somebody’s father, husband, brother, uncle, and so on. I have so many people who are dependent on me. I have for companies with over 50 people working directly and indirectly it is not nice to bring down people for no reason,” he said.
Watch the video below:
https://youtu.be/m6ILFmV7-T4
Meanwhile, Paul Okoye of the defunct music group, Psquare, has hailed Jim Iyke for beating up Uche Maduagwu, who is known for constantly trolling celebrities on his social media page.