The Denial Circle: Paul Okoye, Elshamah Igbanoi And A Helpless Child

Queen Charlotte and Chelsea Hospital is the scene where the story unfolds and in the center of the drama is the young mother, 19-year old Elshamah Igbanoi. A beauty queen, who dazzled from the middle-belt region of Plateau State, she once had a shot at the pinnacle of modeling with her showing at the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria contest held in 2012 where she turned up short, outshone by the more endearing qualities of Isabella Ayuk (whose reign was short-lived). She maintains that her virginity was lost to Paul while she was yet to taste legal adulthood at 17 years of age, and not having sexual knowledge of any man except the star. She is caught between two worlds, one lovely, new and exciting, and the other speculative, cold, combustible and public. The first world is one of adventure, with a child, emanating from her loins and sending irrepressible feelings of motherly affection (which are novel to her because it’s her first time in Motherdom), fostered by the natural bond between mother and child. That pristine love on which the world is founded on for balance and education of the young. Igbanoi’s presence in this world is one of necessity. The other world, is of guile, intrigue and slack-jawed amazement. One in which the future of her child and to a greater scope, the boy’s path on earth, depends upon. His Fatherhood.

The boy is rumoured to have had his conception by a clandestine romantic affair between his mother (of course!) and Paul Okoye. Yes! Paul Okoye, the dazzling second half of the musical superstar group, P-Square. In circumstances favourable, this would have opened up a pleasurable world of opportunities and abundant possibilities for all involved, but we live in a world twisted and tangled, where human relationship is lacking in clarity, often leading to a delusional labyrinth of intrigue, deceit and denial.

Paul Okoye, a public figure whose life is one of nonexistent privacy, is already a father. Celebrating some weeks ago with Anita, when she was delivered of another boy named Andre. But the developments in London has his name mentioned as a chief player, and answer he must, to the media and his beloved. His name not only rests on a child who he claims is not of his blood, but the mother, insistent as ever has christened the son Mishel Paul Okoye, a stamp of purported consanguinity with Paul. Reports have come in that Paul has released a denial, going further for a demand of scientific backing by way of DNA confirmation. A deeper stomach-stirring twist is the revelation that Igbanoi and Anita share the bond and loyalty of friendship.

The media, forever watchdogs have thrown in their expertise, churning sensational headlines and stories, presenting Paul’s denial as a classic case of “hit and deny”, with Igbanoi, depicted as a despairing young mother, devoid of assistance and love who is suffering from a dire need of funds for the hospital bills, receiving harassments due to her inability to turn up the cash.

‘The hospital has been harassing both Elshammah and her mother to pay hospital bills of over £5,000 that have been incurred,’ a source told Sahara Reporters.

Confirmation of this is rejected, because a call to the hospital came up with a strong reply. ‘I can’t answer any of these questions’, a hospital staff politely fended off our intervention.

And from another source, it was revealed that the Igbanoi's baby was actually born April 7th in the UK, four days before Paul Okoye and his girlfriend Anita welcomed their son, Andre, in Atlanta.

Enter the Family! It gets more twisted. Igbanoi’s family has weighed in with their own alarming two pence. Benson Igbanoi, the father of Igbanoi, and grandfather of Michelle Paul Okoye residing in Abuja stated that his daughter was faithful to the musician. Also He revealed that he had sent several emails to P-Square concerning his daughter’s pregnancy for him, but had received no response.

So for lack of official confirmation and acknowledgement by the Okoyes, the saga is set to continue, but not with twist from fate, as the friendship between Igbanoi, and Anita comes into question.

Events will unfold, perhaps attaining a climax of implications, or this will slowly sail away into memory, and then to history. But document it we will, for you, whatever happens.

Be the judge, be the audience, and share your thoughts on this mean circle of denial. It’s in your court.