Jim Iyke opens up on ‘love child’

FEW days ago, the Internet was abuzz with news involving Nollywood 'bad boy' actor, Jim Iyke and a UK-based lover named Chantelle Nkechi Benson.

It was reported that some years ago, Jim Iyke and Chantelle reportedly had a romantic affair while the latter was an Abia State University undergraduate. Now, the lady is presently a barrister in the UK.

The report claimed that Chantelle has an 11- year- old child for the actor whom he (Jim) was never aware of until recently.

However, Jim was reported to have only spoken with the child named Mario on the phone, but he is yet to meet him.

Reacting to the story, Jim Iyke, through his publicist, Mitch Ngaman, said the talented actor is still trying to get to the root of the matter just because of the innocent boy involved.

This was made known through a statement made available to Showbiz Today. "Jim Iyke is aware of the viral story currently making the headlines and wishes to state that this is not the first time that issues of this nature have arisen. Friends and fans who follow his activities closely will recall a number of occasions in the past when baseless claims of paternity and even marriage were made.

"Nonetheless, as a responsible man, he is always disposed to verify any such development(s) brought to his attention and when any satisfactory outcome has been ascertained, the general public will be duly informed without ambiguity.

The only specifics at the present time is that at the age of 22yrs-23yrs old he dated for a brief period the lady at the center of the story who subsequently left Nigeria for the UK.

"There had been no contact between them ever since and by implication no linking of the existence of a living product of that encounter. Since this is more about an innocent child than the star himself we advise caution and respect for privacy.

The Compass