In recent times, we have seen highly controversial weddings among female celebrities. The issue to my knowledge, in the public domain, is not whether these husbands were “second hand” husbands but rather whether they fulfilled their responsibilities to their children or ex-spouses (where a prior marriage was concerned) before attempting to remarry, okay perhaps actress Funke Akindele’s marriage might have been the exception to the rule; but that was justified under Islamic religion where a man can have more than one wife.

However, more direct non-religious examples of controversial weddings follow:

Take for example: 

1) Mercy Johnson who married a man who was allegedly still married in Italy, his Italian Nigerian wife even produced valid marriage documents yet Mercy Johnson married him. To resolve that issue, the man at the time of the wedding, and within 24hours, sought for a traditional divorce of his Italian wife in Nigeria.

The jurisdictional issue whether he was still married in Italy remained. To date, we are unsure whether his wife in Italy filed for a divorce. For the life of me, I can’t understand why anyone will say ‘yes’ to a man that has not broken ties  from a previous marriage i.e. he is still married with two kids. Divorce and marry, the law permits you to do so. Don’t take someone to the altar while you are legally married to another, especially where your soon to be wife allegedly has no clue.

2) The second example is the Tiwa Savage case. Tiwa Savage’s marriage to T-Billz was controversial regardless of the luxurious weddings and fan fare. Initially, most were very happy for her. She is the darling of the industry. However, when a Nigerian-American Los Angeles based woman emerged on the internet, complete with pictures of T-Billz with two children he fathered by this woman, and accused T-Billz of not providing for his children and not having contact with them for some years now, it became quite embarrassing to watch and imagine that this was who Savage wanted to spend the rest of her life with. To my knowledge, there was no explicit denial by T-Billz of the accusations, rather, he made  a statement on how he tries to be the best father.

Meanwhile, you had Tiwa Savage singing praises on how T-Billz was the best and believed and invested in her when others wouldn’t. If you all recall, I responded here on AML that, there was mixing of business and pleasure. Your manager is supposed to believe in you and invest in you the way that he does, even if you are a female artiste, it is no different than his investment in a male artiste. Anyway, fast forward, these two are now married and a colleague writes an article that refers to her choice for a husband as a second hand husband. While he does not name Tiwa and T-Billz, the clear inference given the facts he cites is that he refers to them.

T-Billz and Tiwa in response are clearly hurt and have taken to (instagram) to air their opinions. I am not sure Etcetera’s article warranted a response. There will be many that will hold the opinion that T-Billz is  a”second hand” husband. That is their issue and prerogative. On the flip side, there will be many who do not hold such opinion and can appreciate the role a manager has in the career of an artist and that, but for his business sense and vision, the deals brokered and the strategic placement of the Tiwa Savage brand,to become successful would not have occurred. Arguably, that they happen to fall in love does not make him 2nd hand.

I think the only thing T-Billz should be concerned about is taking care of his existing children with the woman in L.A. so we don’t see such spills on the internet making his private affairs with Tiwa one for dissecting. He does have a duty to protect her, doesn’t he?

Credit:  www.africamusiclaw.com