‘Where is Conscience?’ Actor Slams Phone Stealing at Tribute Service

Nollywood actor Stan Nze has strongly criticized the theft of several mobile phones during a service of songs held in honor of the late actor Alexx Ekubo, viewing the incident as a reflection of a broader crisis in Nigerian values. The tribute event, held on Wednesday, saw members of the Nigerian entertainment industry gather to remember Ekubo, who passed away on May 11, 2026, after battling kidney cancer.

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I hosted my dear friend’s, my brother’s service of song last night, and it was one of the hardest things to do, but what I want to address is the fact that at that service of songs, over five phones went missing, and this I’m saying five phones because I don’t want to exaggerate.

Reports of missing phones at the ceremony quickly surfaced on social media, with attendees confirming their devices were stolen. Nze, who hosted the event, revealed in a video posted after the ceremony that more than five phones were reported missing. He personally knew some of the victims, including Nollywood actress Susan Peters, and reality TV star Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan, known as BamBam, whose group lost at least three devices.

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It just got me thinking, how do you come to a place where people are mourning, where people are grieving and you steal from them? Okay, let’s even leave God aside, what has happened to our conscience as a people?

The situation escalated to a point where organizers temporarily prevented guests from leaving the venue while efforts were made to locate the stolen phones. Nze expressed disbelief, questioning the morality of stealing from people gathered in a state of mourning. "How do you come to a place where people are mourning, where people are grieving and you steal from them? Okay, let’s even leave God aside, what has happened to our conscience as a people?" he asked.

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Oh God, the government is not our problem. I don’t think government is our problem. Even if we chase everybody in government now out, who will lead? Who will do the job?

While acknowledging widespread concerns about insecurity and governance in Nigeria, Nze argued that citizens must also address personal and societal failings. He suggested that the government is not the sole problem, emphasizing that meaningful change requires citizens to uphold honesty, kindness, and accountability. "You’re saying the government is bad, but you are wicked. You’re not kind, not with your words, not with giving, not with sympathy. We’re not kind people," Nze lamented, calling the phone thefts at a mourning event the "height of it."

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You’re saying the government is bad, but you are wicked. You’re not kind, not with your words, not with giving, not with sympathy. We’re not kind people. I feel this is the height of it. Where people are mourning, you come to steal from them, add more sorrow to them.