A Lagos-based businessman, Amarah Kennedy, who went into hiding after circulating the nude photos of two single mothers whom he previously had relationships with, has said he will meet the police after a popular newspaper in Nigeria, The Punch, stops reporting the matter.
The 44-year-old also noted that he was ready to make peace with his victims but needed assurance that the police would also stay out of the case.
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Kennedy, who hails from the Umunze community in Anambra State, stated these in WhatsApp chats with our correspondent on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, had asked the suspect to come forward to prove his innocence at the command headquarters.
The newspaper had been following the activities of Kennedy, a former bank worker turned businessman, who was accused of circulating the nude photos of at least two single mothers he previously dated.
The women, identified simply as Kester and Temi, met him on social media platforms at different times and fell in love with him after he promised them marriage and showered their kids with gifts.
However, after disagreements, he shared their nude photos with them and demanded money with threats to make the images go viral.
Despite collecting N140,000 from Kester, a widow, and N15,000 from Temi, he posted the images on Facebook and WhatsApp.
After the paper published a special report on the matter on Sunday, he became livid and swore to damage the women’s reputation further.
He subsequently published Kester’s nudes on her church’s WhatsApp group platform and office social media pages.
He also shared the photos with her late husband’s family members.
In a chat, he wrote, “Her (Kester) pictures are there. At Redeem parish WhatsApp group platform. I am all over the news, she also will be all over the news. By the time I am done, suicide will be her only option.”
Kester said on Wednesday the suspect had started “sending my nudes all over Instagram and Twitter to random people, those that know me are calling me.”
But Kennedy, speaking to the paper on WhatsApp, said he had stopped spreading the photos.
While responding to his request for advice, The Punch urged him to beg for the forgiveness of the women, apologize on all the platforms where he shared the nude photos and report himself to the police.
Reacting, he wrote, “You need to stop writing about me too. If you want me to do what you have suggested. I saw the story this morning (Wednesday) and I was wondering where all those information came from, unfortunately now whatever I say will be my word against theirs.
“I am not asking you to stop writing; I am saying the stories you write daily about me, can you stop. Let me find a way to resolve all these.
“I want to settle this issue out of the police. I am ready to do anything to make peace, but I want this issue resolved outside of the police.”
However, ThePunch reporter said he would only stop after the businessman submitted himself to the police.
He then promised to be at the command headquarters on Friday.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Twitter on Wednesday, confirmed an earlier report by our correspondent that Owohunwa met with Kester on Tuesday.
According to him, the CP, while assuring the victim of justice, directed the Police Medical Services to provide her with adequate psychosocial support.
“The suspect, Amarah Kennedy, is advised to submit himself to prove his innocence as failure to do so will result in deploying all law enforcement machinery available to secure his apprehension and prosecution accordingly,” he added.
Hundeyin said a policeman attached to the Pen Cinema Police Division, Inspector Raphael Edeifo, who was accused of demanding money to take up the case, had been handed over to the Provost for investigation and an orderly room trial.
He noted that the CP gave firm assurances that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure that “the long arm of the law catches up with the suspect.”
Kester confirmed meeting with the police medical team on Wednesday.
She said she got psychological support and counseling.
“They also asked me to distract myself to avoid any suicidal thoughts. I find it difficult to eat because of the incident; I was given some drugs to enable me to sleep well,” she added.
The second victim, Temi, said she was also awaiting a police invitation.
She said, “Some of the people he sent my nudes to have called me. They are mostly social media friends. Kester has met the police, but I have not been invited yet.”
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