Blogger in trouble for posting Sam Loco Efe’s death picture

Model and fervent blogger, Linda Ikeji, might have come short of the love and admiration of many followers and fans of her popular blog, Linda Ikeji blogspot, following the posting, yesterday, of the picture of late actor, Sam Loco Efe’s corpse. The pallid picture was tagged ‘Photo Evidence’. Defending her action, which she hinges on the uncertainty surrounding Efe’s death; Ikeji notes, “A lot of people have been going back and forth on whether the legendary actor is truly dead or not. He really is. I went out of my way to bring you photo evidence. He didn’t slump and die like a lot of people have been reporting; he died in his sleep while sitting on a chair in his hotel room. A very heartbreaking picture of how he was on Sunday, August 2011.” Hardly had the picture been posted than a floodgate of expletives opened for Ikeji with many accusing her of brazen insensitivity and selfish pursuit of traffic to her blog. “This is inappropriate and extremely disrespectful to the dead man’s family. How dare you? It displays very poor judgment on your part. Perhaps you have no understanding of the value of self-censorship. Please, take it down now,” writes an anonymous person. Another person questions her; “Linda, if he was your father, would you put up such just to get people to believe he is really dead? It is offensive. Take it down ASAP.” Yet, another person posits, “It has since been confirmed that Sam Loco is dead. I know you want to make money at all costs and generate huge traffic to your blog. Please, show some compassion for his family and friends.” Actor, Dejumo Lewis of the Village Headmaster fame was also quoted by a national newspaper has having strongly condemned the action. “I think it is morally deplorable. I condemn it.” Ikeji replies, “No need to insult me, If you find the picture offensive, I will take it down. This is just to put a rest to the rumours that he survived a heart attack and is recuperating in a hospital.” The picture was promptly removed. But a number of people also commended the young lady’s zeal and enterprise saying a journalist has to do what he has to in proving the authenticity of his story. Efe died last Sunday after completing work on a movie entitled Unknown Prophet in Owerri, Imo State. He was 66.
Culled from the Punch