“I am not a thief, my problem is spiritual” - Actress Yetunde Akilapa

Yetunde Akilapa was allegedly caught trying to burgle a house located at 16 Ibitoye Street, Magado, Lagos on Sunday, January 12. She was badly beaten by residents of the house and photos from the incident sent to the press.

It was her second stealing incident in one year. In February
2013, the actress was involved in a home break-in incident in
the Shomolu area of Lagos for which she was allegedly
arrested, prosecuted and remanded at the Kirikiri Maximum
Prison for six months. Just two months after she was released,
she was caught stealing again. But Yetunde says she's not a
Kleptomaniac, that her problem is spiritual.

"I am not a thief. I didn't steal anything. I dont know what
is happening to me. I have every reason to believe my
problem is spiritual. I can't even explain the circumstance
I found myself. People should not ruin my life and career.

I am fed up with life. I am not what people think I am. I
have never been to Kirikiri Maximum Prison as alleged.
God please help me out of this mess! As I am speaking
with you now, I am in Ibadan, Oyo state seeking the face
of God and I believe I would get out of this dilemma one
day. I am not a kleptomaniac. I have not stolen anything"
she told Encoimum magazine. Continue..

Yetunde was also rumored to have been banned from the
Odunfa Caucus of the Yoruba Movie Industry, an
allegation she refuted stating she had called her bosses and
they said such a decision was never taken.

She said 'There is nothing like that. When I heard that rumor,
I called all my bosses, and they said there was nothing like
that. So it's just a rumor. People are only interested in fueling
issues because of my situation. Nobody banned me from
acting".

Reacting to the ban allegation, Yomi Fabiyi who is a member
of the Odunfa caucus spoke on behalf of the group.

"My opinion is that the association has procedures. With
the report highlighted on social media, it looked half
baked. To me, half truth is worse than a lie. I want to
believe if she was caught with stolen items, the items must
have been stated. She said they found her with four keys
and nothing suggest the keys fit into any of the doors
there. The association would even have to investigate the
matter, especially when the reporter seem to be filing his
report on a third party account. If there was any ban
whatsoever, where is the proof? Then who banned her
from acting? The association does not condone crime in
any form and will act on authentic information. So
Yetunde Akilapa to me has not been banned, But that will
be investigated if necessary" Fabiyi told Encomium
magazine

Counsel to Yetunde Akilapa, Barrister Bosun Osifowora
released a statement on the issues about Yetunde's theft story,
her alleged Kirikiri prison detention as well as her ban from
the Odunfa Caucus of the Yoruba Movie Industry. His
statement reads:

"We write to expressly correct the impression that
Yetunde Akilapa has been banned or suspended. She has
not received verbal or written notice to that effect.

Yetunde is sorry and remorseful that her name is involved
in such things. She has very much regard for the industry
and Odunfa Caucus, more reason she fights hard to always
clear her name. It is ridiculous to suggest she wil be
expelled when it is abundantly cleared that she has been
cleared of any wrong doing but needs physical and
spiritual help. There is no dignity fighting someone on the
floor.

We also like to correct the following impressions:

* Yetunde was never in Kirikiri prisons during the first
case. The matter was charged to court and bail application
was granted and condition met same day which the media
was aware of. The case lasted three months and she
attended court from home, not from custody.

» There was nothing like master key and on no account
did the police say the keys found on her were compared to
the key hole of the rooms in the hosue and it opened. Why
are journalist feeding people with stories so untrue? They
were her keys, just four pieces.

» On this second case, whoever broke the news lied.
Yetunde was never accused of stealing. The accuser
suspects she may have been sent to drop some fetish
substance. Must lies sell stories?

» The case got a twist when in an effort to prove her
innocence of diabolical intentions, she confidently stated
she is a budding actress. One of the guys googled her
name and found the previous story, hit her in a swift
reaction, hence she fainted. The guy has since apologized.

» It was on this note that the police was informed and the
matter was settled and it was abundantly clear her accusers
were also at fault. One thing now led to another until it
dawned on her, after public accusation she began to realize
she is in the wrong place.

» We are all Africans, efforts are in top gear to find a
lasting solution to this menace. She needs your prayers,
not your persecution now.