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Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido has publicly defended his longtime collaborator Ubi Franklin following unverified claims that the talent manager stole a luxury watch during the singer’s high-profile wedding celebration in Miami last weekend. The allegations first surfaced in a blog post earlier this week before gaining traction across social media platforms on Wednesday, according to reports by Nigerian outlet Media Talk Africa.

Franklin, founder of Made Men Music Group, addressed the accusations directly through his X account (formerly Twitter), calling the claims “false and misleading.” In his post, he dismissed the narrative as baseless speculation, though specific details about the alleged incident remain unclear.

Davido—whose real name is David Adedeji Adeleke—voiced strong support for Franklin through his own social media account, asserting that his associate needed to justify himself to no one. The “Unavailable” hitmaker, often referred to by fans as OBO (Omo Baba Olowo), criticized those spreading the rumors, writing: “You owe nobody any explanation… fools.”

The controversy emerged days after Davido and his partner, Chioma Rowland, hosted a lavish wedding ceremony in Miami, attended by numerous African music stars and industry figures. Such high-profile events frequently attract intense public scrutiny, with unverified claims occasionally surfacing online. Franklin, known for managing acts like Iyanya and Tekno, has worked closely with Davido for years, including during the artist’s early career rise.

Social media analysts note the rapid spread of celebrity-related rumors in Nigeria’s digital space, where unverified claims often generate viral engagement. In this case, neither Davido nor Franklin provided additional context about the alleged theft or its origins. Legal representatives for both parties have yet to issue formal statements.

While the incident remains unresolved, Davido’s public stance highlights ongoing tensions between public figures and social media’s rumor mill. The singer, who recently made headlines for donating 300 million naira ($200,000) to orphanages across Nigeria, continues balancing his celebratory moments with the challenges of maintaining privacy in the digital age. As discussions unfold online, industry observers emphasize the importance of verifying claims before amplifying them—a recurring issue in entertainment journalism worldwide.