When Moyo Thomas released a public statement following the death of her husband, it was not written as a defence campaign or a media spectacle. It was a response shaped by grief, aimed at correcting specific claims that had spread rapidly and, in her words, caused further pain to her family.
Rather than address every rumour, her statement focused on a few central issues, paternity, her marriage, her children, and the need for privacy. Those points form the backbone of what she wanted the public to understand.
The paternity claim she directly denied
At the centre of the controversy was the allegation that the managing director of First City Monument Bank, Adam Nuru, fathered her children.
In her statement, Moyo Thomas rejected this claim outright. She said the FCMB MD is not the father of her children. This denial was not implied or indirect, it was clearly stated and placed at the forefront of her response.
The allegation she says never happened
Another claim that gained traction was that she told her husband, Tunde Thomas, that the children were not his.
Moyo Thomas disputed this firmly. In her statement, she said there was no occasion on which she told her husband that he was not the father of their children. She described the claim as false and misleading, and rejected the idea that such a confession took place.
This denial addressed one of the most emotionally charged parts of the public narrative.
Why she chose silence before speaking
Moyo Thomas explained that she did not respond immediately because she wanted to protect the memory of her late husband and shield the children from public attention.
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She indicated that remaining silent was a deliberate choice, rooted in grief and restraint, not avoidance. As the rumours continued to grow, she felt compelled to clarify key points while still maintaining limits on how much of her private life would be exposed.
What she said about her marriage
Her statement did not portray her marriage as flawless. She acknowledged that there were serious disagreements and confirmed that some conflicts involved police intervention.
However, she did not go into detail. Instead, she stressed that marriages are complex and that outsiders rarely see the full picture of what happens between spouses. Her words suggested that public speculation could never fully capture the realities of their relationship.
Her focus on the children
A significant portion of her statement centred on her children.
Moyo Thomas expressed distress over the circulation of their photographs online and the comments that accompanied them. She described this exposure as unfair and harmful, especially given their young age.
She also said that separation did not erase the children’s relationship with their father. According to her statement, Tunde Thomas continued to speak with the children as a father would, maintaining contact with them until his death.
Her appeal for privacy and space to mourn
The closing of her statement was an appeal rather than a rebuttal.
Moyo Thomas asked the public to respect her family’s privacy and allow those grieving to mourn in peace. She noted that her husband had been laid to rest and urged people to stop amplifying speculation that deepened the family’s pain.
Her request emphasised dignity, boundaries, and the need to protect children during a period of loss.
How the statement was reported
Several Nigerian media outlets reported her statement, each highlighting its key points.
TheCable led with her denial of the paternity claim involving the FCMB MD and her rejection of the allegation that she told her husband the children were not his.
THISDAY reported that her statement affirmed Tunde Thomas as the father of her children and reflected her plea against rumour driven conclusions.
Daily Trust also highlighted her denial and her call for privacy as the family mourned.
Across these reports, the same themes remained consistent, denial of the paternity allegation, rejection of the claimed confession, concern for the children, and a request for privacy.
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Seven key points from her statement
- She said the FCMB MD is not the father of her children.
- She denied ever telling her husband that the children were not his.
- She explained that her initial silence was intended to protect her late husband’s memory and the children.
- She acknowledged serious marital conflicts, including police involvement.
- She said separation did not end her husband’s relationship with the children.
- She criticised the circulation of the children’s photos and the comments attached to them.
- She asked for privacy and space to mourn after her husband’s burial.
Author’s Note
This story is about boundaries in grief. Moyo Thomas spoke to deny a claim, defend her children, clarify her silence, and remind the public that mourning families deserve dignity, not spectacle.
References
TheCable, “FCMB MD is NOT the father of my children, Moyo Thomas breaks silence”, 9 January 2021.
THISDAY, “FCMB’s MD Not Father of My Kids, Says Moyo Thomas”, 9 January 2021.
Daily Trust, “FCMB MD not the father of my children, Moyo speaks”, 9 January 2021.
