As if it was in a literary plot, award-winning writer,
Chijioke Amun-Nnadi, on Tuesday, apologised to a lady who accused him of
forcefully kissing her.
Chijioke Amun-Nnadi, on Tuesday, apologised to a lady who accused him of
forcefully kissing her.
An Abuja-based freelance writer, Miracle Adebayo, had on
Monday accused Amun-Nnadi of harassment, saying the incident happened in
November 2014, during the Ake Arts and Book Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun
State.
Monday accused Amun-Nnadi of harassment, saying the incident happened in
November 2014, during the Ake Arts and Book Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun
State.
Amun-Nnadi, who works with the Niger Delta Development
Commission, is a prolific and popular writer whose collections of poems,
including Through the Window of a Sandcastle and A Field of Echoes, are well
acclaimed. Apart from winning the Association of Nigerian Authors prize, he has
also been a finalist of the Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Commission, is a prolific and popular writer whose collections of poems,
including Through the Window of a Sandcastle and A Field of Echoes, are well
acclaimed. Apart from winning the Association of Nigerian Authors prize, he has
also been a finalist of the Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Adebayo noted that the Port Harcourt-based poet had
committed the act while she was in his car.
committed the act while she was in his car.
She wrote, “I was in his car with two other people. He
specifically asked that I sit in the front seat while we drove to get food and
I didn’t object because I saw no big deal in it.
specifically asked that I sit in the front seat while we drove to get food and
I didn’t object because I saw no big deal in it.
“Along the road, we stopped for the other occupants to get
something from a shop. In those few minutes, Amun-Nnadi, a man I thought I
could trust, forcefully kissed me. I was so stunned and repulsed I couldn’t
speak.”
something from a shop. In those few minutes, Amun-Nnadi, a man I thought I
could trust, forcefully kissed me. I was so stunned and repulsed I couldn’t
speak.”
While some people wondered why it took Adebayo two years
before speaking out, some two other ladies also later posted messages narrating
similar experiences with the writer.
before speaking out, some two other ladies also later posted messages narrating
similar experiences with the writer.
It was, however, a sober Amun-Nnadi that, on Tuesday
morning, apologised to the accusers in a Facebook message.
morning, apologised to the accusers in a Facebook message.
He wrote, “My dear friends and colleagues, I have read and
heard a lot that has been said about how my manner of interaction with some
younger female writers within our literary commune has been quite
inappropriate. With sincerity, I accept responsibility for the hurt a writer’s
excesses have caused you all. I wish to humbly seek a lasting healing for all
affected and all concerned because it was not my intention to hurt anyone. I
truly regret this. I am deeply sorry and I apologise without reservation to all
affected. Do forgive. Thank you all for reading and for your understanding.”
heard a lot that has been said about how my manner of interaction with some
younger female writers within our literary commune has been quite
inappropriate. With sincerity, I accept responsibility for the hurt a writer’s
excesses have caused you all. I wish to humbly seek a lasting healing for all
affected and all concerned because it was not my intention to hurt anyone. I
truly regret this. I am deeply sorry and I apologise without reservation to all
affected. Do forgive. Thank you all for reading and for your understanding.”
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