From Olamide to Reminisce, Naira Marley to 9ice, Olu Maintain to Kelly Handsome, Qdot to CDQ and many others had been criticized for glorifying internet fraudsters in their various music, while the older generation played the judging figure on the millennials generation, not knowing that history is the biggest truth in life.
Sometimes ago, when Naira Marley was arrested by the EFCC, a lot of us the millennials generation and the older generation berated him, goes as far as calling him names including the popular phrase that “this generation is a lost generation.” Naira Marley becomes a public figure enemy for corrupt practices not knowing that our favorite musician and previous generation all-time greatest Kwam 1 (or K 1 the Ultimate), is known for praising fraudsters, drug dealers and other criminals in his music.
History is the best teacher, and Idris Ayobami, a social media influencer with Twitter handle @Dondekojo proved that to us with a special thread on criminals Kwam 1 has praised in all his released albums of over 3-decades. The thread has gone viral on social media, that also led to his account to be either suspended by the Twitter support team.
Here is a re-curated list of all the criminals Kwam 1 had praised most in all his over 3-decades of career. Enjoy, but don’t use this as an excuse to justify the crime. Fraudsters remain criminals and they deserve to be treated as such.
1.Ade Bendel
Starting this thread with the most notorious of them all. A Gentleman called Ade Bendel. Convicted 419 Kingpin. Kwam 1 had an entire album for him. You can still listen to a live performance below.
I don’t have to write a lot about this man, you probably heard of him and know him well. He defrauded Army Generals, (home and abroad), businessmen, Government MDAs and all sorts. Ade Bendel defrauded a certain General Abba Kyari for N500m way back. He was eventually nabbed and convicted in 2003 when Obasanjo clamped down on fraudsters after the US complained about losing over $10bn to these fraudsters with Nigeria as a transit country.
The funny thing is, Ade Bendel is a Pastor today.
2.Maurice Ibekwe
Up next on this list is Maurice Ibekwe. He was a popular socialite, and the way Kwam 1 sang his praises in his record was just captivating.
“E je ka re’le Maurice, Ibekwe! Ogenne Maurice na nu Nkechi, Odinma….“
Maurice later became a member of the Federal House of Representatives. He was implicated in the $242m Banco Noroeste scam (one of the biggest in the world). He was actually the Chairman of House of Reps Committee on Police affairs.
He was eventually arrested for defrauding a German company of $30m. He died in EFCC detention.
3. Demola Oyefeso
Every Kwam 1 listener should know this one by heart. Demola Oyefeso alase Genesis got the most praise as he was Kwam 1’s first top promoter back then. Eni pe Ayo e po ju Lori wasiu miiiii
He was a Narcotics supplier, and was eventually convicted of tax fraud in the US.
4. Sati Ramoni
Next up, we have another popular one; Sati Ramoni, Omo Salawe. He was a notable mention in all albums and he had his own tracks too.
Satti Ramoni was married to a Jamaican lady called Monica. All his car plates had “Monica 1” to infinity. He was arrested and convicted on drugs charges in London and has since been repatriated to Nigeria. Monica is now remarried to a White guy in UK.
5. Lanre Shittu
Up next, we have Lanre Shittu of Lanre Shittu motors fame. He was extradited to the US after he was kidnapped by DEA agents in Lagos in collaboration with Prez Obasanjo and NDLEA.
6. Omogbadebo Wasiu
Omogbadebo is Kwam 1’s son himself. Sultan. Omo to gbadebo mi. Arrested for $2m in the US.
7. Azeez Igbira
Next, we have Azeez Igbira, former ACN Senatorial candidate in Kogi. He was arrested by the EFCC for trying to defraud former Abia State Governor, Senator Theodore Orji’s wife, after defrauding another PDP chieftain. Sounds like an opposition hero.
8. Rafiu Elele
Rafiu Elele was a Notorious Chicago drug lord. He was arrested by the Interpol in Lagos and extradited to the USA. He was a close Pal of the King of Fuji music.
Elele kii nse eni arifin/ Rafiu kii nse eni arifin sebi oto lowo
9. Akindele Ile-Eru Kumoluyi
Akindele Ile-Eru Kumoluyi was a notorious drug baron who was later convicted for drug related crimes.
Listen to Kwam 1’s live performance for him here