Nigerian socialite Henry Ikeji has denied allegations linking him to an online romance and investment scam, describing the claims as a deliberate effort to tarnish his image.
Speaking during an interview with AIT on Wednesday, Ikeji dismissed reports that he defrauded a Romanian woman of millions of dollars, insisting that the matter was being distorted in the public space.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre are reviewing an investigative documentary alleging that Ikeji posed as the Crown Prince of Dubai in a sophisticated romance-cum-investment scheme that allegedly cost the victim about $2.5 million.
Responding to the allegations, Ikeji said the money connected to the case was transferred to him in naira, questioning why the narrative suggests otherwise.
“The money was paid to me from a naira account. As I continue to explain myself, it feels like there is a targeted attempt to destroy my reputation because nobody seems willing to believe me,” he said.
He added that the controversy has strained his relationships and damaged his standing.
“People who once trusted me are now doubting me. Friends have distanced themselves, and I am being labelled a criminal online. Everywhere, it is being circulated that I scammed a Romanian woman,” he said.
Although Ikeji maintained his innocence, he did not present documentary evidence during the interview to back his claims. He, however, insisted that the allegations were affecting both his personal and professional life.
Reports indicate that the case allegedly began when a Romanian woman identified as Laura, in a documentary by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, was contacted on LinkedIn by an individual claiming to be the Crown Prince of Dubai.
Police authorities have said investigations are still at the profiling stage, with officials analysing information already in the public domain. A senior police officer told Saturday PUNCH that no formal complaint has yet been received from the alleged victim or the documentary producers, adding that further evidence would be required before any decision is made.
The National Cybercrime Centre has not filed charges against Ikeji, and it remains unclear whether the alleged victim has formally reported the matter to law enforcement agencies in Nigeria or elsewhere.