Popular comedian and skit maker Ganiyu Morufu, widely known as Ijoba Lande, opens up to Ayoola Olasupo about the breakdown of his marriage, his wife’s alleged infidelity, and the events that led him to share his story publicly.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Ganiyu Kehinde Morufu. I’m from Osogbo in Osun State but grew up in Ilesha. I started as a vulcanizer before moving to Port Harcourt, where I worked as a lottery agent. In 2010, I relocated to Mowe-Ibafo, Ogun State, to pursue a career in acting.
It wasn’t easy at first. Filmmakers wouldn’t cast me because they said I lacked experience. To survive, I joined a vigilance group in Mowe, where I worked for two to three years. I used my earnings from that job to produce my first movie, Ijoba Lande.
The name Ijoba Lande came from my time as a vigilante. People in Mowe called me Ijoba (meaning “government” or “authority”) because of my security work. The Lande part originated from my childhood when a girl mocked me by calling me Lande Lande ori (big head). The nickname stuck, and when I combined both names, it became Ijoba Lande.
How long were you married to your wife?
We got married in November 2022.
How many children do you have together?
We have one child, a boy born on November 5, 2023. However, she had two children from a previous relationship before we got married.
What qualities did you see in your wife before marriage?
I thought she was a good person. We observed each other for a few months before deciding to get married. I never suspected she could pretend so well. At the time, she seemed like a beautiful and well-mannered lady.
How long did you court before getting married?
Our courtship lasted about six to seven months. We met in 2022 and got married that same year.
When did you start suspecting her of infidelity?
At first, I never suspected her. When people made negative remarks about her, I defended her. I only started having doubts on December 2, 2024. Looking back, I should have noticed the warning signs between June and July 2024—especially when she began avoiding intimacy with me.
Why did your sexual relationship change?
I went through a period of depression, and she would always claim she was even more depressed than I was. She blamed her low libido on hormonal changes. I believed her and even bought supplements to help, but she kept making excuses. I later realized she had been lying to me.
What early signs should you have noticed?
The biggest red flag was when she deliberately avoided intimacy. A wife who suddenly refuses her husband’s advances without a clear medical reason is likely seeing someone else. But I was too trusting to suspect anything.
Do you have evidence against her?
I have concrete proof, but I won’t reveal it unless she publicly denies my claims. I would never make such serious accusations without evidence. Speaking out wasn’t easy, but I had to for my safety.
What do you mean by ‘for your safety’?
I have pictures and videos.
Did you catch her in the act?
Someone tipped me off in December, but I didn’t believe it at first. To confirm, I had someone install tracking software on her phone. Through that, I monitored her conversations and activities whenever she turned on her mobile data. I never spied on her before then.
What final incident made you go public?
She left my house on January 2, 2025.
Why did she leave?
We were part of a ajo (contribution group), and she was the admin. My manager, who was also in the group, delayed her payment, which angered my wife. I calmed her down, explaining that the person often kept money with me and might be short on funds at the time.
She started behaving differently in the house from July. I now believe she was deliberately provoking me to create an excuse to leave. When my family visited and saw how she treated me, they thought I was mugu (gullible). Despite everything, I didn’t want her to leave.
What happened after she left?
She took our child and moved in with her mother. When I went to see them, her mother handed me the baby without asking what happened. I later found out that my wife had dropped off our son before going to meet another man. She also loaned him money from our ajo contributions.
Did the police get involved?
A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who likes me called me in after seeing my viral interview. When I arrived at the station, my wife was there, but she didn’t even greet me. The DPO asked about our issues, and I explained everything.
Did she show any remorse?
No. She told the DPO we were never married, which even shocked the officer. She insulted me and cursed me in front of the DPO.
Did the man she was involved with contact you?
Yes, he sent me a threatening message, warning me not to mention his name. He mocked me, saying my wife left me for a “big boy” and told me to “go and make money” instead of talking about him. I have screenshots of his WhatsApp status, where he indirectly threatened to harm me.
Do you doubt the paternity of your son?
I love my son, and he looks like me. However, given the evidence I have and what her friends have told me, I plan to do a DNA test in two or three months.
Have both families tried to intervene?
Yes, my entire family—my father, elder and younger brothers—tried to resolve the matter, but she ignored them.
Do you think you did anything to push her away?
No. We never had any serious fights, and she never reported me to her family. Now, I believe she was always unfaithful. Her attitude changed when my financial situation worsened. Even her friends confirmed her infidelity.
You are separated but not legally divorced. Do you plan to formalize it?
We only had a traditional wedding, not a court marriage. She had been pressuring me for a legal wedding for over two years, but I refused because no one in my family has done one before.
Would you forgive her if she repents?
God forgives all sins, and I have forgiven her. However, she can never return to my house.
Who is taking care of your child now?
He is with me.
Do you see this experience as a lesson or blessing in disguise?
Yes. I believe I am destined for greatness. After I got married, my career started declining. But now that we are apart, my life is improving again. I was hurt, but I’m grateful I found out the truth before it was too late.
