The Imo State Government and Police command have denied media reports that popular musician, Mr Duncan Mighty Okechukwu who goes by the stage name Duncan Mighty was kidnapped in Owerri where he has gone to perform. Both the Police and the Imo State Government in a separate statement denied the report, saying the musician was arrested for alleged N11million fraud.
The Imo State Government in a statement released on Saturday 14th December 2019 refuting the media claims barely 24hours after the rumour spread that Duncan Mighty was kidnapped in the state capital Owerri, said the Imo State Police has owned up to the arrest of Mr Duncan Mighty.
The State Government taking to the official Twitter handle said the news that He (Mr Duncan Mighty) was kidnapped by unknown gunmen is totally false.
They, therefore, urged Nigerians to “please disregard! Imo is safe for Artists, Investors and Tourists”.
The police on their part, confirmed the arrest of the Rivers State-born musician, in the early hours of Saturday 14th December 2019.
The police in their statement also debunked reports the musician was kidnapped.
They said he was arrested over an N11 million fraud allegation levelled against him by an “upcoming” artist in the state.
A friend of the musician and a manager of Popular Nightclub, known as ‘Cubana Chief Priest,’ had claimed in a post on his Instagram handle that unknown gunman abducted the musician.
But, the police in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ikeokwu Orlando, said the artiste was arrested following a case of fraud against him by ‘M2’.
The statement said M2 accused the musician of defrauding him of N11million.
The statement said Mr Duncan Mighty collected the money, “as a fee to manage the artiste and others from Imo State government under former Governor Rochas Okorocha.”
See the statement released by the Imo State Police Command:
“ARREST OF DUNCAN MIGHTY OVER A CASE OF FRAUD
TODAY 14/12/19 operatives of the command arrested popular music artist DUNCAN MIGHTY on an allegation of FRAUD.
This followed a petition written by an upcoming rap artist M2, who claimed that the IMO state Government led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha, through the office of the SA oN Entertainment, enter into a deal with DUNCAN MIGHTY to manage, promote, arrange
Collaboration with other top artist and sign M2 under YOUNG WEALTH record label owned by Duncan Mighty,as a result, an agreement was reached with a fee of ELEVEN MILLION NAIRA (N11,000,000) Was paid to him, However, since collecting the payment he refused to fulfil his own part of the deal.
Sequel to the petition, the artist was arrested, and he affirmed the having such agreement and collecting the fund, but said he can only refund the money if the contract is terminated, he was then released on bail on self recognizance.
Consequently, a letter was reviewed by the representative of the former Governor, terminating the contract to enable him to refund the money, and since then he absconded, and all efforts made to reach him proved abortive.
In view of the above, a warrant of arrest was issued, that led to his arrest at the early hours of this morning.
SP IKEOKWU GODSON ORLANDO
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR:THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND”
Also, recall that we reported here a few weeks ago that the singer had raised alarm where he alleged that there are people after his life, after he received money to record a song for former Imo State Governor, turned Senator, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
He posted a message on his Instagram begging Senator Rochas Okorocha that he would like to return the money he was paid to do the song.
The self-proclaimed Port Harcourt first son, took to his Instagram page to put out this message:
“Your Excellency Because you directly paid in public. While the job was going smoothly immediately after you paid. They said you sent them to bring back money to you # LONG THROAT DIFFERENT FROM A HUNGRY PERSON … even if na ordinary pepper I dey sell I must be good” he had said.
Hopefully, they settle the case, and he returns the money like he had promised and returned safely home to his family and loved ones.