Veteran Nigerian actor, John Okafor popular known as Mr Ibu has passed.

He was 62. Vanguard Nigeria reports that the actor died while in a hospital.

However, his cause of death is yet to be revealed.

Mr Ibu's death follows months of ill heath.

In October 2023, family of the actor revealed that he had been battling some health issues and had undergone multiple surgeries.

He had earlier made a passionate appeal and announced a fundraiser to offset his medical bills at a Lagos hospital.

Mr Ibu had said he had been hospitalised for two weeks because of a “strange and dangerous illness”.

The actor later celebrated his birthday, hopeful of a speedy recovery.

However, on 6 November 2023, Mr Ibu’s leg was amputated, barely a month after he solicited prayers and financial assistance from his fans.

Announcing the leg amputation on the actor’s Instagram page, his family said the amputation was to increase his chances of recovery.

They said the development was complex but necessary.

On 17 December 2023, the family of the 62-year-old actor further revealed the reason behind his inability to be flown abroad for additional treatment.

The family explained in a statement that doctors deemed him ‘Not Fit To Fly,’ rendering it challenging to arrange his departure for advanced medical treatment due to the airlines’ refusal to transport him.

According to the family, the cause of the illness was not diabetes but a persistent clotting of blood in Mr Ibu’s leg, stemming from diseased blood vessels, along with other health challenges that posed a significant risk to his life.

Mr Ibu was discharged in January and was seen with Nollywood actor, Ken Erics who visited him.

Later that month Nigerian police arrested the son and adopted daughter of Mr Ibu, over allegations that they stole money meant for the actor's treatment.

Onyeabuchi Okafo and Jasmine Okekeagwu are alleged to have taken "possession of the actor’s phone and hacked his bank details", before stealing 55m naira ($60,700; £47,800).

The money was part of funds that had been donated by fans and well-wishers for the actor's treatment.

The authorities have since recovered 50m naira, local media say, quoting the spokesperson of the police's criminal investigation department, Mayegun Aminat.

The two suspects were planning to escape to the UK, according to Ms Aminat.