Award-winning special effects artist, Hakeem Effect, has responded to allegations by his former associate, Mayokun Egbeyemi, that he stopped her from getting married.
Hakeem, in an interview with Saturday Beats, faulted blogs for focusing on a few parts of Egbeyemi’s interview, saying the excerpts did not capture the full context of the interview.
Recall that Egbeyemi, during an interview about her life and journey in the movie industry, alleged that her relationship with Hakeem broke down when she expressed her desire to settle down and start her own family.
She claimed Hakeem did not want her to get married while he maintained his own family, adding that his stance contributed to their separation.
Responding to the allegation, Hakeem said he made the statement not for his own benefit, saying he saw Egbeyemi as a strong woman capable of taking on the responsibilities of both a mother and a father.
He said she already had a son who was about 12 years old at the time and that he encouraged her to prioritise the child’s welfare and education.
Describing her character, Hakeem said, “She’s a man on her own. Just like some of her Nollywood actresses, she’s a man; she carries a burden. She can do anything to just survive, and she’s generous.”
However, Hakeem said he was already legally married to his first wife when his relationship with Egbeyemi began, explaining that they initially met through work and became closer during a difficult period in his marriage.
He said Egbeyemi was introduced to him because of her hardworking nature and that he admired her dedication to his career as he struggled to establish himself in the entertainment industry.
“I saw her agility, so I added her to my group. We started travelling everywhere,” he said.
Hakeem also disputed the allegation that he gave Egbeyemi the name “Treasure” as a pet name, saying she had introduced herself by that name and asked him to call her so.
“When I asked for her name, she said her name is “Treasure Mayokun Adejoke Egbeyemi”, but that I can call her ‘Treasure’,” he said.
Hakeem said their relationship later became intimate while his first marriage was experiencing difficulties, adding that he sought emotional comfort amid financial challenges and disagreements at home.
“I was legally married and had no intention of marrying her. What happened between us was due to the marital issues I was having. I was looking for a place to cool my head,” he said.
Hakeem further said Egbeyemi supported his ambitions at a time when his career had yet to gain recognition, adding that she took him to different prophets because she believed in his potential and wanted him to succeed.
According to him, the visits to the religious leaders were intended to seek help and guidance for his progress, and he acknowledged that Egbeyemi made efforts to support his aspirations.
“She has taken me to different kinds of prophets. The prophet will tell her that, ‘Ah, this guy is going to become a great person. Just give him some time, but he’s in his turbulence period now,’” he said.
Hakeem said a turning point came when he realised that Egbeyemi wanted him to marry her, insisting that he did not want to abandon his existing family or have two wives.
Despite their differences, Hakeem described Egbeyemi as hardworking and generous, acknowledging the role she played during the early stages of his career.
“Though she’s a nice girl. She’s hardworking, and I love her agility. I love people that can carry my vision the way I carry it,” he said.
Hakeem said the issue happened about 15 years ago, and expressed concern that the renewed discussion did not reflect the full circumstances surrounding their relationship.
He then urged the public and his fans to watch the full interview online rather than rely solely on excerpts circulating on social media.