Following the controversies surrounding the alleged fraudulent fund raising campaign for an Ovarian cancer patient, Mayowa Ahmed, popular Yoruba movie actress, Toyin Aimakhu, who played a major role in soliciting funds for the treatment, has told her own side of the story.
There are allegations that the patient’s family, including all those involved in the campaign #SaveMayowa, used her bad state of health to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
Aimakhu, in view of this, said it is imperative that she comes clean by stating her side of the story and by that, set the record straight.
She had accused the family of cutting everyone off after the money was raised, even as the family accused Aimakhu of demanding for part of the money and requesting they foot her bills to fly abroad with Mayowa, and said their refusal was what allegedly enraged her.
Recall that on July 28, the actress had recorded a video pleading with Nigerians to donate money for the patient to be flown abroad for urgent treatment.The money needed was 100,000 dollars. After her videos went viral, the money was raised in two days but on Thursday, Toyin raised an alarm that it was all a scam as Mayowa’s case was beyond treatment.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, the actress said, “In view of the recent happenings around Mayowa Ahmed’s ill health and the many allegations of fraud surrounding the funds raised, it has become imperative that I come clean by stating my side of the story and by implications, set the record straight.
“When I got wind of Mayowa’s sickness, I was moved to tears and immediately sought to know how I could help, hence my on-the-spot video which went viral as my genuine intervention.
“Indeed, I was overwhelmed by the quick response of well-meaning Nigerians to whom I will forever owe a debt of gratitude. But all this changed yesterday, Thursday 28th, July, when I went to the hospital in the morning to check as well as follow up on Mayowa. Her brother had told everyone to leave them alone because they wanted privacy. Although I was shocked at the sudden change in attitude, especially the tone of communication, I still did not suspect anything was amiss.
“However, on my way out, I received a call from one Aramide Kasumu of Life Stake Foundation, who would later claim the whole Mayowa Ahmed fund raiser was a scam. Importantly, she wanted to know the extent of my involvement and in her words, “so that when they are giving their reports, I would not be roped into it”. She went further to state that the family deceived everyone in the first place by raising funds for Mayowa despite the fact that her case was helpless and the hopes of her survival was near impossible. She seemed to know so much, I reckoned.
“Upon hearing this, I was appalled and in a bid to clear my name, I went back to the hospital in palpable anger and demanded explanations from all concerned. Perhaps, I overreacted when I went into a rage of anger over the matter with the CSO. I then alerted the Police PRO, who invited the parties involved to the police command.
“I want to state for the record that I have never been a fraud and will never partake in one, not even at this stage of my career (which I hold to heart). All my efforts were strictly on humanitarian grounds without recourse to any pecuniary consideration or the resort to cheap fame.
“That said, whatever discomfort my reactions may have cost anyone from any quarters is highly regretted and I take responsibility.
“Whilst I wish Mayowa a quick recovery and divine intervention, I want to urge us as a people to continue to exhibit that enviable Nigerian spirit of compassion and generosity and not because of this isolated case cease to be our sister/brother’s keeper. I love you all and thank you.”
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