CurrentReportBlog In a revealing interview on the Honest Bunch Podcast, Denilson Igwe, alleged co-founder of the popular Mark Angel Comedy, accused his colleague Mark Angel of financial exploitation. According to Igwe, Mark Angel has been earning significantly from their comedic efforts while paying mere stipends to him and child actor Emmanuella.
The Rise of Mark Angel Comedy
Mark Angel Comedy burst onto the scene in 2014, capturing audiences with its humorous skits featuring three main characters: two men and a child. This comedic trio, including the young Emmanuella, quickly became a household name in Nigeria and beyond.
Denilson Igwe’s Claims
In his recent podcast appearance, Igwe made several startling allegations:
- Founding the Comedy Group: Igwe claims he was the original founder of the group, with Mark taking charge of the online presence.
- Monetization and Earnings: He alleged that Mark began monetizing their social media platforms without his knowledge, keeping the earnings to himself while only providing small stipends to Emmanuella.
- Misappropriation of Funds: Igwe recounted an instance in 2014 when Mark bought a car, claiming it was a gift, while the earnings were allegedly concealed.
Financial Discrepancies
Denilson further detailed the financial discrepancies within the group:
- Monthly Stipends: Emmanuella reportedly received N20,000 monthly.
- Personal Earnings: In 2016, Igwe stated he was given N50,000 by Mark, who downplayed the earnings, claiming the comedy skits were not lucrative despite them generating $160,000.
Igwe’s Statement
Igwe shared a vivid account of their beginnings and the financial betrayal he experienced:
“I was the one that started Mark Angel’s comedy. Mark was the elder brother of the house, he was a security in Portharcourt while I was doing camera work for a man called Ifeanyi. I stole his camera and in our free time, I would do those comedies. Mark created a Facebook page and I did not even know when it was monetized. Suddenly in 2014, he bought a car and he said he got it as a gift. I haven’t received a penny then and he’d pay Emmanuella N20K monthly. 2016 was when he gave me N50K, saying this thing no dey bring money and we were making $160,000. If you talk about him, it’s either you die or have an accident.”
