Fresh details have emerged surrounding the death of popular Nollywood actor, Alex Ekubo, whose sudden passing sent shockwaves across the Nigerian entertainment industry.

News of the actor’s death, which broke earlier yesterday, came as a rude shock to colleagues, friends and fans, many of whom had taken to social media to express disbelief and grief over the tragic development.

Addressing mounting public curiosity and speculation, Nollywood filmmaker Stanley Ontop disclosed that the late actor had been privately battling stage 4 liver cancer since 2024.

In a now-trending post shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday evening, Stanley who described himself as a close associate of the deceased revealed that Ekubo had undergone extensive treatment, including a liver transplant, in a bid to overcome the illness.

According to him, although the transplant initially offered hope and allowed the actor to briefly return to work, complications later set in when the transplanted liver reportedly failed again.

“Alex was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer in 2024. After undergoing treatment and a liver transplant, he briefly returned to work. Unfortunately, the liver failed again and complications arose, and his condition deteriorated until his passing,” Stanley wrote.

He added that the actor’s remains have been deposited in a morgue, while appealing to the public to desist from spreading unverified claims about the cause of his illness and death.

“We request that everyone allow Alex to rest in peace and respect the privacy of his family during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace,” he stated.

Ekubo’s death has continued to generate widespread reactions within and beyond Nollywood, with tributes pouring in from colleagues and admirers who remember him for his talent, charisma and contribution to the Nigerian film industry.