“This Is a Big Lie” — Iyanya Fires Back at Explosive Claims That Ubi Franklin Stole a Wristwatch

The Nigerian entertainment scene was thrown into a swirl of gossip and finger-pointing after shocking claims surfaced online that music executive Ubi Franklin had allegedly stolen a luxury wristwatch from popular jeweler, Benny the Jeweler. But singer Iyanya, a longtime friend and collaborator of Ubi, has come out swinging, shutting down the allegations in no uncertain terms and calling the entire story a malicious fabrication designed to tarnish his friend’s reputation.

The drama unfolded when social media gossip accounts and individuals began circulating a story claiming that Ubi Franklin had approached Benny the Jeweler to purchase a wristwatch, only for the transaction to take a bizarre turn. According to the viral tale, Ubi reportedly expressed interest in a particular timepiece, but when asked about its whereabouts later, he allegedly claimed he had handed it to Benny’s assistant. The twist? The watch was nowhere to be found. Reports further alleged that when Benny pressed for answers and even threatened to involve the police and immigration, Ubi suddenly “found” the watch in his pocket, claiming he had no idea how it got there.

For many online spectators, the story was juicy enough to share, and in no time, posts about the alleged incident started spreading like wildfire. A gossip handle known as Cutie reportedly kept fanning the flames, claiming to have been tipped off about the matter even before it became public. Social media users jumped on the bandwagon, with some expressing disbelief and others making snide comments about the supposed “coincidence” of finding the missing watch in a pocket. Some even speculated that there was behind-the-scenes damage control underway, with suggestions that big names in the industry, including Davido, wanted the scandal kept under wraps because of its potentially embarrassing nature.

But before the rumor mill could spin completely out of control, Iyanya stepped forward to set the record straight. Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, the “Kukere” hitmaker didn’t mince words: “This is a big lie. The jeweler has come out to deny this, it was a gist fabricated to tarnish Ubi’s name by those who don’t like him within that circle. I will not let my brother be dragged for nothing.” His post made it clear that he believed the entire episode was cooked up by individuals harboring grudges against Ubi Franklin.

Indeed, Iyanya’s version of events appears to align with Benny the Jeweler’s own public statements. Benny himself reportedly commented that Ubi had not stolen a watch from him but had actually purchased one. This admission from the supposed victim of the alleged theft casts a shadow over the credibility of the accusations. Still, some corners of social media remain skeptical, pointing to the suspicious sequence of events as a reason to believe there might have been more to the story.

In the cutthroat world of Nigerian entertainment, where public perception can make or break a career, such allegations—whether true or false—can have serious consequences. Ubi Franklin, who has had his share of controversies in the past, now finds himself in yet another PR storm, with online gossip threatening to overshadow his work in the industry. The timing of the allegations is also curious, as Franklin has recently been making headlines for other ventures, possibly making him an easy target for those seeking to stir trouble.

What makes this incident particularly striking is how quickly rumors can morph into accepted “truth” in the court of public opinion. Within hours, unverified claims were being repeated as fact by thousands, with some even embellishing the story to make it more sensational. It’s a reminder of the power—and the danger—of social media, where narratives can be built and destroyed in real time, often without concrete evidence.

The alleged incident reportedly took place during what was supposed to be a routine business interaction. According to the original claims, after Ubi allegedly “misplaced” the watch, tensions rose when Benny threatened to involve law enforcement. This supposed escalation, coupled with the dramatic “reappearance” of the watch in Ubi’s pocket, was the key detail that fueled the online frenzy. For many, it was the perfect recipe for a viral scandal: a famous figure, a luxury item, a dash of mystery, and the looming shadow of police involvement.

But Iyanya’s defense throws a wrench into that narrative. His unwavering support and insistence that the jeweler himself has denied the theft point to the possibility that the entire controversy was blown out of proportion—or even invented altogether. It’s worth noting that in the entertainment industry, rivalries, grudges, and behind-the-scenes politics often spill over into public drama, sometimes resulting in false accusations meant to damage reputations.

The singer’s loyalty to Ubi Franklin is not surprising given their shared history. The two have been through highs and lows together, from musical collaborations to navigating industry disputes. For Iyanya to speak up so boldly suggests that he either has inside knowledge that contradicts the rumors or simply refuses to let a friend be publicly humiliated without challenge.

Meanwhile, Benny the Jeweler’s own denial of the theft should, in theory, have been enough to quell the uproar. Yet, as is often the case online, the initial scandalous version of events has garnered far more attention than the clarifications. For many gossip consumers, the truth is far less interesting than the drama. The court of public opinion thrives on speculation, and once a narrative catches fire, it’s difficult to put out the flames entirely.

The broader implication of this saga is a troubling one: reputations can be jeopardized based on flimsy or even entirely false claims, and the speed at which such claims spread leaves little room for measured fact-checking. For celebrities like Ubi Franklin, who operate in a highly visible space, this creates an almost constant battle to defend their image against real and imagined scandals.

Whether the allegations against Ubi were an honest misunderstanding, a twisted version of events, or a deliberate smear campaign remains unclear to those outside the inner circle. But with both Iyanya and Benny the Jeweler publicly denying that any theft took place, it seems the scales are tipping in Ubi’s favor—at least in terms of official accounts.

Still, the incident serves as a reminder of the entertainment industry’s toxic rumor culture, where personal vendettas can be dressed up as “breaking news” and where the truth often struggles to keep pace with fiction. For now, Ubi Franklin may take comfort in the fact that he has powerful allies like Iyanya in his corner, willing to publicly go to bat for him when his name is being dragged through the mud.

As the dust settles, one thing is certain: in an age where clicks and viral posts reign supreme, the truth often has to fight twice as hard to be heard. And in this particular case, Iyanya is making sure that fight isn’t one Ubi Franklin has to face alone.