- By Kamil Opeyemi
An actor and event anchor, Ibrahim Bello Sanyo, popularly called Baba Lawori, has accused a chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)) Ganiyu Oyedele also called Koko Zaria of smashing a bottle of wine on his head causing him to land in hospital.
Lawori said this happened on June 25 at the annual Idimu Day where he anchored the event.
In a video shared on Monday by an X user, Oyindamola, tweeting as #dammiedammie35, Lawori narrated how a bottle of alcoholic drink was smashed on his head leading to stitching on his head.
In the video, Lawori had pleaded for justice from well-meaning Nigerians.
He alleged that while the event was ongoing, someone came on the stage to tell him that the NURTW chief Koko Zaria wanted his attention.
Lawori said, “As I went to meet Koko Zaria to greet him, he asked if I didn’t see them here. Then I apologised and said I would do the needful when I returned to the stage.
“I then heard somebody ask if I was Lawori, thinking that he (the person) didn’t know me and was meeting me for the first time. It was later confirmed to him that I’m Lawori.
“While I was talking with Koko Zaria and I turned, the man took a bottle of Martell (in front of Koko Zaria and his guys) and broke it on my head.”
The actor added that he was “wet” with his blood as he lost consciousness due to the attack. He noted that he could only recall how his head was stitched at the hospital, which has brought him pain.
“Nigerians, please help me. It was Koko Zaria who sent someone to call me,” he said, adding that he doesn’t remember how he landed at the hospital.
“Save me from Koko Zaria, I don’t know my offence to him,” he pleaded.
But denying the allegations by Lawori, Koko Zaria went on his instagram page on Monday to say that all claims by Lawori were false.
He said he is a friend to Lawori adding that he only invited him from the stage to apologise for not showing up at one of his recent works.
“Lawori has never offended me. We’re very close. I saw a video where he said I was the one who ordered the attack on him. What did he do to me?” he queried.
Oyedepo added, “Lawori, I don’t have anything to curse you (sic) but I want you to swear by all you have and your ambition that I ordered the attack.”
Oyedepo recalled that when Lawori returned to the stage, about two people were fighting him as he (Lawori) stopped the music they were enjoying.
He noted that he didn’t go to the event with his boys, adding, “As you were coming from the stage, I saw that people were hitting bottles on your head. I took you to the hospital and you were treated. I stayed with you and paid your medical bill. I even gave you a wad of money. All these happened on Tuesday.”
He noted that he left the hospital with Lawori around 1 a.m., adding that he was the one who alerted the actor’s wife about the incident.
Oyedepo also said the actor called him on the phone on Wednesday and prayed for him to show appreciation.
“I know everything that’s happening. I know those who sent you. I hand you over to God,” he said
Lagos state Police command spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the matter would be investigated as many people had called his attention to it.