Businessman spreading ex-lovers' naked photos proposes condition to surrender
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 PUNCH Newspapers ceases reporting the matter.
The 44-year-old also stated that he was willing to make amends with his victims but required assurances that the police would remain out of the investigation.
On Wednesday, Kennedy, who is from the Umunze community in the state of Anambra, told our correspondent these things via WhatsApp.
Idowu Owohunwa, the commissioner of police for the state of Lagos, had meanwhile requested that the suspect establish his innocence at the command headquarters.
Our correspondent had been monitoring the activities of Kennedy, a former bank employee turned businessman who was accused of circulating nude photographs of at least two single mothers he had dated in the past.
The women, identified only as Kester and Temi, met him on different social media platforms and fell in love with him after he promised them marriage and gave their children gifts.
However, after disagreements, he shared their naked photographs with them and demanded money by threatening to make them go viral.
Despite receiving N140,000 from the widow Kester and N15,000 from Temi, he uploaded the images to Facebook and WhatsApp.
After publishing a special report on the subject on Sunday, this reporter became enraged and vowed to further tarnish the women's reputation.
He then published Kester's nudity on the WhatsApp group platform of her church and on office social media pages.
He also shared the photos with her late husband's family members.
This reporter viewed a chat in which he wrote, "Her (Kester) photographs are there. At the WhatsApp group platform for Redeem parish. I am all over the news, and she will also be everywhere. By the time I'm finished, her only option will be suicide."
Kester reported to our correspondent on Wednesday that the suspect had begun "sending my nudes all over Instagram and Twitter to random people, and those who know me are calling me."
However, Kennedy informed this reporter via WhatsApp that he had ceased distributing the photos.
In response to his request for advice, PUNCH Metro advised him to beg the women's forgiveness, apologise on all the platforms where he shared the nude photographs, and report himself to the police.
In response, he wrote, "You must cease writing about me as well. If you want me to carry out your suggestion. I saw the story this morning (Wednesday) and wondered where all the information came from; regrettably, now it will be their word against mine no matter what I say.
"I am not asking you to cease writing; I am saying the stories you write daily about me, can you stop. Let me discover a solution to all of these.
"I want to resolve this issue outside of the court system. I am willing to do anything for peace, but I want this matter to be resolved outside of the police's jurisdiction."
However, our reporter stated that he would not cease until the businessman turned himself in to the police.
He subsequently pledged to be present at the command headquarters on Friday.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, verified an earlier report by our correspondent that Owohunwa met with Kester on Tuesday in a statement posted to Twitter on Wednesday.
According to him, while assuring the victim of justice, the chief of police directed the Police Medical Services to offer her adequate psychosocial support.
"The suspect, Amarah Kennedy, is advised to submit himself to prove his innocence; failing to do so will result in the deployment of all available law enforcement resources to ensure his apprehension and prosecution," he added.
Hundeyin stated that a police officer from the Pen Cinema Police Division, Inspector Raphael Edeifo, was turned over to the Provost for investigation and an orderly room prosecution after being accused of demanding money to pursue the case.
He noted that the CP assured him that every effort would be made to ensure that "the long arm of the law catches up with the suspect."
Kester confirmed a Wednesday meeting with the police medical team.
She reported having received psychological support and counselling.
"They also advised me to avoid suicidal thoughts by distracting myself. Due to the incident, I find it difficult to eat, and I was given medication to help me slumber," she added.
Source: Prompt News Online
