Outrage at Linda Ikeji's blog posting of Sam Loco's death picture

Dejumo Lewis and others have criticised the posting of the death picture of veteran actor Sam Loco on a popular entertainment / lifestyle blog, Lindaikeji.blogspot.com. 


Blog administrator Linda Ikeji had posted the so-called ‘Photo evidence' purportedly to prove that the actor, who was found dead on location in Owerri on Sunday, had truly passed on.

Lewis, famous for playing Kabiyesi in television classic, ‘Village Headmaster', expressed his disappointment at the photograph's publication when contacted by NEXT. "I think is it morally deplorable. I condemn it," he said.

Ikeji, an aspiring model and minor celebrity, had claimed she was posting the offensive image because some doubted the truth about the demise of the actor, famous his roles in films, television and the stage. However, many visitors to her blog took a different view. One, simply identified at Tmonie, wrote that the "picture is very disrespectful to Sam Loco Efe's memory. The fact that [Linda Ikeji] can post it is thoughtless and a desperate attempt at sensationalism."

Comments following the post, titled, ‘Sam Loco Efe is truly dead: Photo evidence' on Tuesday, August 9, called out the blogger for being insensitive and unprofessional. "I think you should take down that picture. It is very inappropriate and insensitive... Please, let his fans remember him with dignity," said one.

"This is inappropriate and extremely disrespectful to the dead man's family. How dare you? It displays very poor judgment on your part," said another. Some accused Ikeji of wanting to capitalise on the death and make money by drawing hits to her popular blog. Others questioned if she would have posted her own father's dead picture on her blog. She was later forced to take down the picture

Sam Loco died in his hotel room at Rapour Hotel in Owerri, Imo State on Sunday, August 7, 2011. The veteran actor is famous for iconic roles including that of the father in the popular Nollywood film, ‘Aki and Pawpaw'. He also played Picado Suberu in the television series, ‘Hotel De Jordan'. Among his stage roles was Akara Ogun in Wale Ogunyemi's play, ‘Langbodo'.

Culled from NEXT (Art&Culture)