Popular author and scholar, Dr Bayo Adebowale, has lambasted those who recently linked to him a story about a creative writer who had carnal knowledge of his daughters.
A few days ago, a story circulating on social media claimed that a certain prominent ‘professor of creative writing’ has raped his four daughters and even assisted them to abort the resulting pregnancies.
One of the alleged victims was said to have confided in someone via Whatsapp, but this was ‘leaked’ on other social media platforms where some unknown persons had posted Adebowale’s photograph.
In the last few days, however, Adebowale, members of his family and his close associates have been expressing disgust and anger at the story, which they described as false and
The author said he was embarrassed that such a scandalous thing could be said about him. He pointed out that, apart from some social media users, some news media had also spread the false story.
Among others, Adebowale’s first daughter, Titilayo Olaleye (nee Adebowale), and the Librarian of the Heritage Library, Adeyipo, Ibadan, Yeye Akilimali Olade, have also dismissed the allegation.
The writer, in a statement, said he was devastated by the rumour and challenged anyone who had facts linking him with the allegation to produce them.
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Adebowale, whose novels include The Virgin, Out of his Mind and Lonely Days, noted that his daughters were still happily married, whereas the children of the person at the centre of the rumour were said to have lost their marriages.
He said, “To say the least, I am alarmed and traumatised by the insinuations. I would have responded to the wicked rumour immediately it broke out, but I did not get to know about it on time because I was indisposed. As a matter of fact, I was in a hospital receiving treatment and so, many people could not reach me.
“Other members of my family are equally traumatised by the allegation. Initially they decided not to inform me about the rumour because they feared that it could worsen my health and even lead to a sudden death. I can only thank God that I am still alive to be able to boldly deny the shocking rumour. Assuming one had died in the last few days, the same wicked people would have said that I committed suicide to cover up the sacrilege.
“Apart from having reached the climax of my profession and talent as some people have noted in their hasty, malicious and ungodly comments, I am truly blessed with children that include daughters who know me as a true father, who has never contemplated any unholy relationship with them for whatever reason.
“While I lost a daughter to the cold hands of death some years back, I still have daughters who are alive and doing well as individuals, as professionals and also as wives in their various matrimonial homes. The identities of my daughters are not hidden and if anyone bothers to know them and speak with them there is an opportunity to do so.” [PUNCH]
