Actress Funke Akindele has responded to allegations that she abandoned her former cast member, Jumoke Aderounmu. Late Jumoke died on April 6 at the age of 40 and was popular for her role in Jenifa’s diary series produced and directed by Funke.
As the news of her death broke on social media on Friday, fans and colleagues in the industry took to social media to mourn her. Funke also mourned her, expressing her shock at the demise of the young actress.
Hours later, Late Jumoke’s brother took to social media to throw subliminal shots at Funke, insinuating she abandoned his sister in her time of need but was quick to come online to mourn her.
His post elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some argued that he should not feel entitled to Funke’s money and help, others attacked the actress and even wished death on her loved ones.
Reacting to the backlash she has received, Funke in a live IG session this afternoon denied having any knowledge that Jumoke was going through a hard time. She mentioned that she contacted another actor, Jide Awobona, who was close to late Jumoke and asked after her from him and that the said Jide later got back to her saying Jumoke said she needed people to call her for jobs which she, Funke, promised to do whenever there was an opening.
“Someone made a comment on my page just now that I will bury my children. What have I done wrong? The late Jumoke Aderounmu, I met her years ago as an actress, gave her sole roles. She featured in Jenifa’s diary and Industreet and that was it. She acted her role, got paid and left.
From the blues I just messaged Jide Awobona because himself and Jumoke were close and I asked of her and he said she is okay. I then told him to call her and ask after her and he got back to me saying all she wanted is for people to be calling her for jobs. I said fine we will call her for jobs”
The mum of two said she was alerted by one Pascal of the post late Jumoke’s brother did claiming his late sister was abandoned
‘’I know he is grieving, It is not easy to lose someone. I have lost my mum. Nobody knows what I went through. I went through a lot. I was depressed losing my mum. I reached out to the guy. I said ‘I am so sorry you lost your sister I feel your pain Nobody told me that your sister was sick. Pascaline did not tell me anything. I don’t turn deaf ears to people that are in need.”
She said she likes to help but do not like to publicize it.
‘’I had to do this as it has to do with somebody’s life. Personally, you do not know what I am going through. I work hard round the clock. I don’t beef any film maker. Do not forget I have got my trying moments too. During Covid, remember. My mum passed on, went into politics I was backlashed, Marriage. Somebody now said you will lose your children. I think that is too much.
I had to do this live video because it has to do with Jumoke. May her soul rest in perfect peace, I tried, Jide can testify”
