Blessing Ezeokafor, elder sister to businessman and socialite Jowizaza, has accused her brother of contributing to the circumstances surrounding the abduction of their father, Joseph Ezeokafor.

Blessing made the allegation in a series of social media posts on Friday, as the family continues efforts to secure the release of the 74-year-old businessman, who is the chairman of Jezco Group.

Blessing Ezeokafor

Ezeokafor was reportedly abducted on August 5 while on his way to a Catholic prayer ground in Ifite, Awka, Anambra State. Reports said he had gone for his regular prayer routine without his security personnel.

The abduction became more concerning after the kidnappers reportedly increased their ransom demand from ₦700 million to ₦1.5 billion.

According to reports, the family had initially agreed to the ₦700 million demand, but the abductors later raised the amount and subsequently stopped communicating with the family.

Reacting to the development, Blessing criticised Jowizaza’s public display of wealth, arguing that his social media image may have given the impression that the family could easily raise the ransom.

She accused her brother of creating what she described as an unrealistic picture of the family’s financial position.

“Why Jowizaza, my brother? You are the cause of this madness. Social media noise when we don’t have that money,” she wrote.

Blessing also claimed that the family is facing substantial financial obligations, alleging that about ₦40 billion is owed to FCMB, alongside debts to Union Bank:

“Fake life, claiming what we don’t have. You are owing banks FCMB 40 billion no hope to pay. You are owing Union Bank, you are struggling.”

The alleged ₦40 billion debt has not been independently verified and remains a claim made by Blessing.

She also appealed directly to the kidnappers, saying the family does not have the money they believe is available to them.

Blessing questioned how the family could meet the ransom demand while dealing with its alleged financial obligations, and urged the abductors to release her father.

Ezeokafor is the founder of Jezco Oil and Lubricants, which was established in 1980, and later expanded into other business interests under Jezco Group.

His kidnapping has also affected activities in his home community. Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area reportedly postponed its annual New Yam Festival following the abduction.