The “Lion of Nollywood” is very much alive, and his family has officially run out of patience! After a week of frantic phone calls and social media panic, the Edochie family has taken the unprecedented step of placing a cash bounty on a TikToker responsible for spreading a malicious death hoax about the legendary Pete Edochie. The veteran actor’s eldest son, Leo Edochie, took to Instagram to debunk the rumors, describing the fake news as a “lie from the pit of hell” and confirming that his father is “hale, hearty, and in high spirits.”+2
But this time, the family isn’t just releasing a press statement; they are seeking blood—metaphorically speaking. Leo Edochie revealed that the family has officially contacted the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down the TikTok user (handle @ONE_BOR_001) who posted the viral video claiming the 78-year-old icon had passed away. In a bold move to deter future clout-chasers, Leo announced a handsome cash reward for anyone who can provide useful information leading to the TikToker’s arrest. “I have contacted the DSS and they are on his trail,” Leo warned, urging the public to stop playing “fast and loose” with human lives for views.+1
For Pete Edochie himself, this is sadly familiar territory. The legendary Ebubedike joked that he has now been “killed” by the internet at least seven times. Speaking from his home, the actor reminded fans of his family’s history of longevity—his father lived to 96—and stated he would only go when his “maker calls him home.” As the DSS begins its digital manhunt, the message to Nigerian content creators is loud and clear: celebrity death hoaxes are no longer just “harmless” clickbait; they are now a fast track to a jail cell
