The family of BBNaija star Rico Swavey revealed the circumstances that led to his passing on Thursday during a press conference they organized in Lagos to clarify what had occurred. The purpose of the news conference, which was attended by representatives of the Lagos State administration, the media, and members of Rico Swavey’s family, was to “clear the air and set down the facts,” according to Mayo Dele, the family spokesperson.
Mayo emphasized that the majority of the rumors that circulated about Rico Swavey’s passing weren’t factual. He invited Sunday Michael, the Uber driver who arrived on the scene first to address the collision, to defend his position.
“I was driving a passenger from Sangotedo to Ajah around 12:30 a.m. on October 12. A car sped passed me as I was traveling along Abraham Adesanya, and before I could react, I heard a dynamite-like explosion. Looking in the direction of the sound, I noticed an accident at the Abraham Adesanya roundabout, centered on a problematic area.
Sunday went on to describe how he received assistance from a kind stranger who assisted him in transferring Rico’s body from his wrecked vehicle to the Uber, following which he drove Rico to the nearby hospital, as was widely reported on social media.
Sunday claimed that after spending more than two hours in the hospital, the administration asked them to transport the dead person somewhere else. He was transferred to another hospital (name withheld), where he ultimately passed away. He acknowledged creating the popular video featuring the laughing nurses as a kind of self-defense.
“I was horrified by what they said, so I pulled out my phone to record what was occurring to save myself. I took the video at the hospital of the nurses laughing about as proof in case anything happened to him (Rico),” stated Sunday.
In order to clear up any confusion about Rico’s mental condition before to the accident, Sunday—who later admitted that the day he learned of his death was a sad one for him—insisted that Rico was not intoxicated while he was with him on the morning of the tragedy.
“Rico Swavey wasn’t intoxicated! Only a motorist with thorough knowledge of the road can drive safely at speed on the poor road at the Abraham Adesanya Roundabout. Rico slammed his automobile against a rough location on the road since he didn’t know the way well. His car’s bonnet was split in half if you notice. Please don’t say he was wasted. Sunday asserted firmly.
The hospital where Rico Swavey passed away required an N4.5 million payment before they would treat him, according to the family, who also disclosed this.
“We gave them a total of 3.5 million in two payments: 1.5 million first, and then 2.0 million later. A total of 1.8 million was spent on the patient. The spokesman for the family revealed Mayo.
Mayo added that despite the hospital’s promise to compensate the family for the money within 48 hours, the money given to the hospital has not been returned to the family. However, he disclosed that a website set up to raise money for Rico’s treatment had been successful in gathering over 1.3 million Naira. Paystack coordinated the website. Paystack has not yet distributed the funds to the family.
Members of the Late Rico Swavey, who urged the government to repair the nation’s roadways, backed up his statements. They urged hospitals to adopt the practice of saving lives before requesting a police report or money.
The members of Rico Swavey’s family present included his mother, Mrs. Halima Lima Hassan, and his father, Otunba Tokunbo Fakoya. There were also his cousins and other relatives.