Gistmania revealed financial recklessness, mismanagement and the shame that comes with the six- year marriage without issues contributed to the couple’s decision to part ways. Prior to the moment, the marriage eventually hit the rocks; several efforts were made to reconcile burning issues such as their inability to have a child.
Friends hinted, due to her star status, she was always willing to rekindle the romance again and again. Nonetheless, she was facing terrible challenges, allegations and counter allegations from her in-laws who could not understand her failure to bear a fruit of the womb.
Most unfortunate too was the dwindling fortunes of Phillip who contrary to Ini’s initial notion were a buoyant auto dealer based in the United States. The recent outburst of his estranged first wife, Ruth Okoro revealed he was a leech while their marriage lasted. She also claimed she had warned Ini Edo not to venture into that marriage with Phillip.
Worried about his finances and failure to live up to expectations at home, a reliable source told Us that he discussed the idea of a fast consumer moving goods that can assure him of daily income. Eventually, he concluded a bread bakery would be profitable and in her wisdom and concern, she offered to assist him financially. She also agreed to offer her star power by allowing him to use his name for the bread.
Phillip, jumped into action, rented a one room shop space situated at 18, Ogudu Road, facing Gbadebo Street in Ojota, Lagos. He shipped in some bakery equipment and bought a big generator. Friends estimated Ini Edo must have spent not less than N7million to get the bakery running. With the frenzy in the media, the bread with the trade name, INI DELICIOUS became very popular in the neighborhood, threatening existing brands like Magrellos in the same neighborhood. It became the first choice in supermarkets along the sprawling Ogudu Road and it was obvious that success was brighter than ever. On her Instagram account, Iniedo, she announced: Out on the streets is a realization of my love for pastries, cakes, bread, n anything baked. In-delicious pastries. No 18 Ogota road ogudu Lagos. Enjoy n thanks for de patronage. Happy new week ya” ll.”
According to neighbours and residents of Gbadebo Street, the star actress has never been sighted at the bakery but the Inidelicious bread started very well. There was always a long queue of distributors and retailers but barely two months after it was rolled out, the business started having problems. Sources close to the actress revealed the marriage became tumultuous again, an ominous sign that the break up was inevitable surfaced.
“They started to live apart, they were not talking to each other and the bakery’s staff became short of funds. There was no money to procure flour, diesel, etc. To worsen the situation, the owner of the property, Mrs Nneka Nwarueze instructed her lawyers, Derrick Owe Esq to serve ‘Delicious Bread Bakery’ a notice to quit the property sometimes in January, 2014.
Ini’s decision to quit the marriage, according to sources was justified. She was actually fed up with the marriage filled with ‘one day, one trouble’ as well as the snide remarks by her husband’s family on account of the inability of the union to produce a child.
Ini was particularly miffed at the insinuations that she was responsible for the couple’s childlessness, considering the fact that she believes Phillip has fertility issues, because she has subjected herself to several fertility tests with positive results, our source hinted.
All these, we gathered, got her to be fed up with the marriage and in irrespective of her recent N7million investment in the bakery, she had confided in some friends, was her way of paying off Phillip off to get off her back.
Philip has been married before to Ruth Okoro, and the union was also without a child.
When Gistmania visited the bakery located at No 18, Ogudu Road, Ojota, Lagos, last Friday, it was under lock and key with several court notices pasted on the entrance door.
One of the notices to the management of the bakery from the lawyers of the property dated August 4, 2014 reads.
Dear Madam,
We also learnt that the matter has been taken before a Magistrate Court in the Ikeja Magisterial District, Lagos, and a writ of claim against the tenant refusing to deliver up possession obtained. In a lawsuit MIK/4533/14, the owner wanted to take over the premises on the grounds over the refusal of Phillip to give up the property to the owner for Renovation and Personal Use according to the court documents also sighted
Other documents sighted include a Letter of Summons, as well as a Letter of Instruction from Mrs. Nneka Nwarueze, who is the owner of the property to her lawyers, Messers Derrick Owe, authorizing the ejection of ‘DELICIOUS BAKERY BREAD’ from the premises. The matter involving various tenants on the property has been listed for hearing November 13 and 14, 2014. When We contacted the lawyer to the plaintiff, Barrister Derick Owe, he disclosed that the property has since been sold and the new tenants including DELICIOUS BREAD BAKERY were aware but shunned all advice and warnings not to move in.
It is over a month that the bakery has been shut down, and unfortunately, the irreconcilable differences between the directors- Ini Edo and estranged hubby, Phillip has put the staff in jeopardy.
Ini has since moved on. To shake off the separation from Phillip and also prove that she is financially independent, Ini Edo has acquired a house at highbrow Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos, an investment that cost her not less than N60m. She is also reported to have splashed N38m on a brand new 2014 Mercedes Benz G65 G-Wagon.
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