Francis Van-Lare, the father-in-law of late U.S.-based Nigerian cardiologist Dr. Ikenna Erinne, has denied claims that the doctor took his own life due to financial stress from a $15,000 monthly child support order.
In a statement on Monday, Van-Lare clarified that Dr. Erinne was only required to pay $1,900 monthly, which he sometimes paid partially. He dismissed reports that portrayed the doctor as peaceful and quiet, sharing screenshots of restraining orders from the Maryland Court Circuit as evidence.
Van-Lare stated, “Liars everywhere. He killed himself to avoid paying $1,900.00 monthly which he pays partially sometimes. He was not asked to pay $15,000 a month as alleged. Dead beat dad!
“Go to the state of Maryland Court circuit and check numerous restraining orders. Quiet and peaceful guy my foot. Any more rubbish talk about my family, I will share more revelations.
“I am a bull dozer and will bull doze any lying blogger. Nobody should blame my daughter for the embarrassment he caused everyone.”
Dr. Erinne’s death has led to widespread reactions among Nigerians. Van-Lare claimed that before his death, Erinne held his daughter and grandchildren hostage at gunpoint for three hours. According to him, the doctor turned the weapon on himself when police arrived.
Van-Lare shared this information on his official Facebook account, responding to claims by another user, Amanda Chisom, who clarified that Erinne’s ex-partner was Van-Lare’s daughter, not a white woman as some had speculated.
Van-Lare added, “While my daughter was involved in a custody battle, I only became aware around 3am Nigerian time last Monday that the deceased held her and her children at gunpoint for three hours after losing the case.
“The nanny managed to escape and called the police, and upon their arrival, he shot himself.”
He also revealed that Erinne was facing three counts of kidnapping with a deadly weapon, each carrying a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
“I guess he decided to kill himself instead of facing the charges,” he added.
Despite the shocking nature of the incident, Van-Lare expressed sympathy for the late doctor’s family, clarifying that his daughter was not responsible for his decision to take his own life.
“While I sympathise with his family, my daughter is not to blame for his death. And I thank God it did not escalate to where he shot my daughter, grandchildren, and himself,” Van-Lare concluded.
