The absence of Lady Tope Alabi at actress Lizzy Anjorin’s surprise birthday celebration was due to the organisers deliberately concealing the identity of the celebrant when booking the gospel artist, Saturday Sun has learnt.

Speaking on behalf of the Alabis, Dr. Oreofe Williams explained how events unfolded. He said a movie producer contacted him months earlier, requesting his help to secure Alabi for a surprise performance for “someone dear to him” without revealing who that person was.

“The fee paid was 2.5 million naira, not the rumoured 3.5 million. The cost was actually reduced by 30 percent because Uncle Soji considered my intervention. Several weeks ago, this filmmaker approached me saying he needed Tope Alabi for a surprise. No name was mentioned, and I assumed it could be for his wife or a family member. He created the impression that he was personally funding the event, with no indication it was a joint contribution by any team. I had no reason to doubt him, as this filmmaker certainly has the means to finance such an arrangement.

“I contacted Uncle Soji Alabi and later shared his number with the filmmaker. It was supposed to be a birthday surprise for a public figure, yet I’m still puzzled why the celebrant’s identity was deliberately hidden by the filmmaker who contacted me,” Williams said.

According to Williams, Soji Alabi initially mentioned that the day would be challenging schedule-wise, and also noted that the amount offered was below their standard rate for birthday performances. “I pleaded with Uncle Soji, and he eventually honoured my request to accept the agreed amount. However, the 2.5 million was specifically for a birthday surprise, yet the identity of the celebrant remained hidden until they arrived at the venue.

“The crucial question remains: why conceal the celebrant’s identity? When I received the call from Uncle Soji, he had already decided to leave the venue. Honestly, I would have done the same in his position. Nobody appreciates being manipulated. I can confirm that as the president of Gospel Vibes, he makes these decisions independently. He informed me by phone that he was departing, and I continued to wonder why the celebrant’s identity was kept secret even from me, the person they used to access the Alabis,” William continued.

He then provided documentation showing how the payment was made in instalments: N600,000, followed by N900,000 and finally N1 million totalling N2.5 million. (Saturday Sun)