By Efio-Ita Nyok
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – It’s been over six years since the Micheno Investment scheme crumbled, taking with it the hopes, savings, and dreams of many Cross Riverians. But just this week, MC Mbakara — real name Aya Kanu Aya — broke his long silence to issue what he called an apology to the public over his involvement in the failed scheme.
Expectedly, the apology — which he shared via social media—has triggered mixed reactions, most of which are far from forgiving.
In the statement, MC Mbakara claimed he was only a “ceremonial vice president” of the scheme, with no control over funds. He positioned himself as a victim of youthful hustle, insisting he merely shared an opportunity he thought would help people. “I was just a hustler trying to rise,” he wrote, while also pointing out that he had been cleared by the courts.
But here’s where the public took issue: the tone. Many described it as defensive, condescending, and even gaslighting.
Reactions to Mc Mbakara’s apology
One respondent, Unique Wisdom, didn’t hold back:
“Defensive apology with pride is not apology… Humble yourself and make real restitution.”
Others like Ashibi Thomas and Sunita Akpet slammed the entertainer for spending more time justifying himself than truly acknowledging the depth of the pain caused.
“A lot happened in that scheme that you promoted. People’s lives never remained the same,” Ashibi wrote.
“You want AkwaCross to unite, yet you use more than two paragraphs to condemn people while the so-called apology doesn’t even reach one,” Sunita added.
And then there were the personal stories. Vitalis Ogabi shared how he lost his mother’s money.
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“When I asked her for help, she’d tell me to go withdraw the interest from the investment,” he recalled, with a touch of dark humour.
Another user revealed that a student lost their first-year tuition to the scam. Others said marriages broke down. One comment even hinted at deaths linked to the emotional toll of the collapse.
So why is this apology coming now?
Many believe it was prompted by recent Facebook posts from comedian Oku Charles Asu, who has been consistently dragging MC Mbakara and demanding public accountability. For some, the timing and tone of the apology only reinforced their belief that the apology wasn’t from the heart — but from pressure.
One user, Sunday Pathfinder Majuk, put it bluntly:
“He should have kept keeping quiet rather than what he just did.”
To be fair, a few people are ready to move on. Phidelis Ubana urged forgiveness and closure, saying, “No human is perfect.”
But the dominant mood on the streets and social media is betrayal, frustration, and a yearning for real restitution. People are not just asking for an apology. They’re asking for accountability — and some tangible effort to repair the damage caused.
Dear MC Mbakara, it’s one thing to say “I’m sorry,” but another to say, “This is how I will make it right.”
Words can soothe. But it’s actions that restore trust.
