Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has refuted allegations of having a romantic relationship with and claims that Captain Matthew Ekeinde, husband of veteran actress Omotola Jalade—Ekeinde, purchased a luxury car for her.
The rumors, which circulated widely, claimed that Matthew gifted Destiny Etiko a luxury vehicle, fueling speculation about their alleged affair. Etiko fired back at the allegations during an Instagram Live session, labeling them as completely false and malicious. She claimed the rumors were intentionally spread to damage her reputation.
Destiny expressed her frustration with the persistent attempts to discredit her achievements by attributing her success to relationships with wealthy men
In her words;
“If you want to withhold the blessings of God in somebody else’s life and you want to grow, it is impossible. Before, you guys had always spoken ill about me. Do men give money? Even If they do, I do not know.
“I worked for 99.9% of all I have. I don’t know why some people are bitter, perhaps they are scared. I always buy a car on most of my birthdays because I love to change my car every year.
Addressing the connection to Captain Ekeinde, Etiko clarified that she only met him four years ago during a flight he piloted.
“They dug up a picture from long ago—a picture of Omotola’s husband that I took with him over four years ago.
“How did it happen? I was on a flight, and he (Omotola’s husband) was the pilot. Some people (passengers) were snapping pictures with me, and he was like, ‘What’s going on there?’ And they (passengers) now responded, ‘ She is an actress.’ I politely responded too and said, ‘Hi, sir.’ I greeted him respectfully because he was my senior colleague’s (Omotola) husband,” she said.
Etiko explained that she was the one who requested a selfie with him out of respect, but that brief encounter was the extent of their interaction. “From that day till date, where will I see the man? How does it concern me?” she questioned, dismissing the rumours as baseless attempts by her detractors to tarnish her reputation.
Addressing trolls perpetuating these rumours, the Destiny said, “This is how it hurts these people in their bodies. They say, ‘Ha, Destiny will soon buy a new car. She has been working hard and making money; let us channel her source, attributing it to a man.’ You can’t spoil my joy; God has blessed me, and it’s unstoppable. Losers should go off.”
The Enugu-born actress condemned the trolls for dragging Omotola’s family into the matter. “Leave the man [Omotola’s husband] in his house alone. Leave our beautiful legendary Omotola and her son alone. I have never met Omotola; I only watched her whilst growing up. I have never met the son; the husband was just on a flight, and that was it. He [Omotola’s husband] doesn’t have my number, and I don’t have him—so, what’s the problem?”
This isn’t the first time Etiko has faced accusations of being financially supported by influential businessmen.
In February 2021, similar reports emerged after she acquired a white Prado SUV, allegedly a gift from oil magnate Tein Jack-Rich (Founder and President of Belemaoil). These claims triggered a wave of controversy, prompting Etiko to deliver a strong rebuttal and Mr Jack-Rich.
By Ezinne Okorie.
