A woman who claims to be a close confidant of Nollywood actor Frederick Leonard has broken her silence, offering a detailed counter-narrative to the mounting speculation surrounding the collapse of his marriage to actress Peggy Ovire.
In a statement that has since ignited fierce debate across social media, the source—who describes herself as Leonard's legal counsel and informal therapist—alleges that the actor ended the union, and that infidelity played no role in its dissolution.
"Freddie Ended the Marriage"
The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity but whose remarks have been widely circulated, stated unequivocally that Leonard initiated the separation, contrary to public assumptions.
"This is the second time Freddie has ended his marriage. What I'm trying to say in simple terms is that Freddie Leonard ended his marriage, not the other way around," she said.
She claimed she deliberately refrained from speaking earlier out of respect for the couple, particularly Leonard, whom she described as a personal friend. However, she alleged that recent accusations from Ovire necessitated a response.
"Absolutely Nothing Like That Happened"
The insider flatly denied Ovire's suggestion—conveyed through cryptic Instagram posts—that Leonard had been involved with a married woman during their marriage.
"Peggy has made wide-ranging allegations that Freddie has been sleeping with a married woman even before their marriage ended. Absolutely nothing like that happened. Peggy is only trying to push a narrative that she left the marriage because her husband was cheating," she asserted.
She claimed Ovire did not leave the marriage; rather, "Freddie ended the marriage because Peggy was very disrespectful."
"She Does Not Believe in Submission"
According to the source, Leonard had been deliberate in avoiding any public criticism of his estranged wife, despite what she described as persistent provocation.
"I have spoken to Freddie several times about this, and he was careful not to paint his wife black," she said. "He told me, 'The marriage has broken down irretrievably, not because my wife is a bad person, but because my wife is very Western. Peggy does not believe in submission.'"
She added: "If you know you are a feminist, then you shouldn't get married to a man like Fred."
Timeline Questions and Social Media Moves
The source questioned the timing of Ovire's allegations, noting that she had removed Leonard's surname from her Instagram bio three weeks before making public insinuations about infidelity.
"Is it a coincidence that you removed his surname from your social media just three weeks ago, and now you're making such huge allegations?" she asked.
She also referenced Ovire's recent decision to unfollow actress Sarah Martins, accusing her of having a relationship with Leonard. According to the insider, Martins was on a video call with her own partner when the accusation was made and demanded Ovire produce evidence—which, she claimed, never materialized.
A Marriage That "Broke Long Ago"
The source described a pattern of reconciliation attempts that ultimately failed to address fundamental incompatibilities.
"The first time they separated, it was during an argument; Peggy walked out, apologized, and they reconciled. But nothing changed. Freddie remained careful, respectful, and never spoke badly about her."
She asserted that the marriage had fractured long before the current public drama unfolded, and that Leonard has since "continued his life quietly, showing respect even after everything."
No Official Response
As of press time, neither Frederick Leonard nor Peggy Ovire has issued an official statement addressing the insider's claims. Ovire's cryptic February 8 Instagram post—which asked followers how they would react to discovering a partner's affair with a married woman—remains the most direct communication from either party regarding the state of their relationship .
The couple wed in November 2022 after publicly confirming their relationship, and were widely regarded as one of Nollywood's admired pairs . This marks Leonard's second publicly known marriage to have ended.
Public opinion remains sharply divided, with some defending Ovire's right to share her experience and others commending Leonard's restraint in the face of what they view as unsubstantiated accusations.
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