Nigerian rap artist Ruggedman, has written an emotional open letter to R&B singer, 9ice, as well as Nigerian bloggers and journalists over the six-year-old rumour that he slept with Toni Payne (9ice’s wife in 2010).
Ruggedy Baba said in the open letter that 9ice’s apology came late. He also said that bloggers and journalists added fuel to the rumor and advised them to investigate stories before they publish them.
Below is the letter in full
In 2010 9ice released a song that made a lot of people wrongfully drag me into a terrible situation. People who misconstrued the song and it created a rumour.
A terrible false rumour that was fueled by journalists and bloggers who were only after hits on their sites. Bloggers and journalists who did not care to investigate and confirm a rumour, but chose to print and post it anyways not caring who got hurt in the process.
I remember pleading my innocence and that of Toni Payne’s but social media people being who and how they are,chose not to listen.
I remember calling 9ice on the phone CIA style to talk to him about it and he was clearly heard admitting the song was not about myself or Toni Payne, but social media people being who and how they are, chose not to listen.
I remember asking 9ice to publicly clear the air on the terrible rumour, but was shocked when my friend said he would not because he was busy and didn’t have time for such. Again nobody wondered why.
Fast forward 2016. Six years later and I was surprised when I heard that 9ice has finally come out to say I never slept with his wife and the song was not about me and even apologised on top. That he has finally come out to say the truth about the issue that cast a negative shadow over my head and that of his ex wife for six years.
All I can do is smile because I know me better than anybody out there who insulted me over the matter. I said it then and i say it now, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens will never sleep with his friends wife.
Families and husbands you can now relax. Your daughters and wives are safe around me hahahahaha!!
To 9ice, bro you left it a bit too late. You had your chance to clear this matter up 6 years ago when it really mattered but you did not take it. I do not know why and exactly what it was that made you keep quiet all that while. I did my best to clear my name without you and moved have moved on since.
Anyways I accept your apology and thank God we are all alive.
To bloggers and journalists: You will be who and how you are,but the best and most successful ones amongst you will be the ones who actually get professional about with their work and try to investigate stories before putting it out there. I really hope you all realise its not all about the hits. Do not lose your humanity all because you want to be the first to break news.
On a lighter note,if you want to break news,kindly break the news that my new song ft Olamide titled Seyi Shay will drop on cloud 9music and mtn plus tomorrow 5th February 2016.
I wish you all the best and I appreciate everybody who has been there for me.God bless us all.
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