Chief Johnbull Ejovi has taken a decisive step in his dispute with ex-wife Emily Apiloko by demanding she retract her claims in a BBC report linking him to her surrogacy journey within seven days, or face legal action for defamation.
Chief Ejovi clarified that while he has no issue with surrogacy itself, he disputes Emily Apiloko’s claims involving him. He denies any involvement or consent regarding the surrogacy, asserting that he neither provided sperm nor participated in any agreement with the “Meet the Surrogate Mothers Agency” or any affiliated institutions.
Ejovi further contends that Emily’s portrayal of him as the father of the twins is misleading, accusing her of purchasing the children from the agency instead. He also pointed out that Emily had previously requested to remove his name from the children’s records three years ago and expressed surprise at her recent BBC statements.
According to Ejovi, Emily traveled to Lagos on June 1, 2021, under the pretense of harvesting her eggs for surrogacy but later claimed to have received twins from the agency. He insists that Emily admitted at Alagbon Police Station that he did not donate sperm and she did not donate eggs, implying that the children were purchased.
Ejovi, who is a grandfather, firmly rejects any involvement in the alleged transaction of buying children. In a legal notice dated September 25, 2021, he previously disclaimed any paternal connection to the children named Ejovi Oromena Mayjane and Ejovi Oghenemaro Marvel, stating he did not participate in their conception or adoption.
He further challenges Emily to prove her claims and refutes allegations made in her BBC broadcast regarding insults from his deceased mother, clarifying that his mother passed away two decades before his marriage to Emily.
