By Dipo Olowookere
Mother of the Nigerian singer, Dammy Krane, apprehended by police in the United States last Friday, Mrs Elizabeth Adeola Oshodi, has accused the promoter of booking the artiste’s flight with stolen credit card, which landed his son into trouble.
In a statement posted on her Facebook page on Monday, the woman claimed his son was innocent of the allegation of grand theft levelled against him.
The singer was arrested for booking a private jet from Miami to Washington with a stolen card and he is being kept at the Miami Dade County Corrections pending when he will meet his bond requirements.
“As an artiste, promoters book your hotel stays and often buy your destination tickets. It’s never once crossed our hearts as a performing entertainment family, to have to verify that the sources of bookings are legitimate.
“And please, keep in mind that we’ve been in the industry for almost 15 years. Then came the unfortunate past Friday, when Dammy Krane got arrested trying to board a flight from Miami to Washington: Maryland.
“His ticket and hotel bookings were fraudulently purchased by the next show promoter (s). And because of Dammy Krane’s fame, all accusatory hell broke loose.
“We thank God for His goodness and the great spirit of truth. He will have his day in court to clear his name. He will give his personal press release shortly l, however, have decided to speak up against insinuations of fraudulency and grand theft.
“Dammy is a true gentle and honest citizen of our planet, and remains a good ambassador for not just the music industry, but Nigeria as a whole.
“I also will like to seize this rare opportunity to warn all promoters, entertainers, the music industry, the performing arts world and all travel prone individuals to from now on
1.) Buy your tickets yourself.
2.) Ensure by prior verification that your ticket and hotel reservations match the purchaser’s info.
How? By declining emergency arrangements that do not give up to 24 to 48 hours to allow you call the airlines and hotels for verifications.
“Remember to always give the option for promoters or show organizers to buy all bookings and must accompany with the booking profiles: the names used for bookings, and phone numbers must match your designated or named offers, or they will need to send the cash in their verifiable names to your business account.
“It hurts so bad that fellow Nigerians will do such a damaging act to another, knowing that the repercussions could be so devastating. We are aware of the implications at hand and pray for your faith in our purity, even as we beg for your patience to let the law take its’ course, before jumping into unfair conclusions.
“We remain humbly grateful for all the innumerable support and overwhelming show of love to his family.
“We thank you.
“Elizabeth Adeola Oshodi for Dammy Krane’s family,” the artiste’s mother posted.
Business Post Contributor