Nollywood actress Ruby Orjiakor has opened up about the emotional toll false rumours linking her to the late actor, Jnr Pope, had on her relationship with her husband, Moc Madu.
Speaking candidly, Orjiakor described how the speculation once threatened the strong bond she shared with her partner.
“The rumour that I had an affair with Jnr Pope and that he was the father of my daughter nearly destroyed the beautiful relationship I had with my now husband, Moc Madu,” she said.
“It was one of the most challenging moments of my life.”
Orjiakor noted that despite the trust Moc had in her, the gossip circulating within their close circle created emotional damage.
“Moc trusted me deeply but when such accusations started flying around, especially from some people close to us, it hurt him.
It broke something in both of us for a while.
But I reminded him of the promise we made to each other, the trust we built before we even started dating,” she explained.
She also shared the turning point in their relationship following the emotional strain.
“He later apologized for letting it get to him.
I’ll never forget what he said:
‘Baby, let them say whatever they want to say.’”
To clear Jnr Pope’s name and protect his image after his death, the actress said she made a public video, not for herself, but in defence of a man she considered family.
“Still, the heat was getting too much.
And for the sake of my best friend Jnr Pope, I made that video to debunk the rumours not for me, but to protect his legacy.
He was a good man, and he didn’t deserve to be dragged into lies after his death.”
The couple chose to remain silent during the turmoil, which led many to speculate about a possible breakup. However, their quiet was a deliberate decision to maintain peace.
“A lot of people thought Moc and I had broken up because we stayed quiet.
We kept everything out of the public eye not for clout, but for peace.
Then BOOM wedding invitation landed!
Some people were so ashamed, they couldn’t even face me at my wedding.”
Orjiakor further addressed new rumours emerging just days after her wedding, labelling them false and baseless.
“Now, barely 48 hours after our marriage, I’m hearing new lies:
‘Her husband is using her.’
‘He’s squatting in her house.’
Really?? A man who owns his own mansion?
Let me say this loud and clear:
Who are you to say NO when God has said YES?”
Reflecting on the role Jnr Pope played in her life, Orjiakor became emotional.
“I only wish Jnr Pope was alive to see this moment.
He always told me, ‘Ruby, God will give you a man who truly loves and cherishes you.’
And God did. I still miss Jnr Pope so much he’s a brother I never had.”
Concluding her message, the actress urged her fans and followers to remain resilient in the face of judgement and envy.
“To anyone reading this, never let noise stop your journey.
People don’t hate you but they hate that they can’t be you.
God put a permanent joy in my face. I pray it hapns to you.”
