Popular Nigerian Afrobeats and street-pop artist, Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi, widely known as Bella Shmurda, has publicly alleged that he was defrauded of $4 million in a property transaction in Lagos. In an emotional Instagram Live session, the singer revealed that the property he purchased had been identified as stolen property, leaving him in a state of financial and emotional distress.

During the broadcast, Bella Shmurda appealed to the public and authorities for assistance, expressing his desperation following the disappearance of the seller.

He said, “Nigeria, I need your help. I’m not doing okay right now. I spent $4 million of my own hard-earned money, only to find out I bought stolen property.”
“And now the seller has disappeared. Please, help me. Someone step in. I’ve got nothing left,” he continued. “I worked for years for this. I can’t lose $4 million like that”.

Following the incident, the Hypertension singer confirmed that he has initiated legal proceedings to recover his funds and resolve the ownership dispute.
“I just contacted my lawyer for further investigation,” he said.

As of press time, no official statement has been released by law enforcement regarding the claims, and the identity of the seller remains undisclosed.

Born on January 27, 1996, in Ikorodu, Lagos, Abiola Akinbiyi is the last of 10 children from a polygamous family. His musical journey began during his formative years in school bands and cultural troupes, but it was his 2019 single, “Vision 2020,” that brought him to mainstream fame. The song, which captured his struggles while hustling to support his family as a university student, went viral after a remix collaboration with Nigerian music icon Olamide.

Bella Shmurda has since solidified his place in the industry with a consistent discography that blends Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, and street-pop. His notable projects include the EPs High Tension (2020) and High Tension 2.0 (2021), as well as his debut studio album Hypertension (2022) and his sophomore release, Sanity (2025). Known for his community-focused approach, he also leads “Dangbana Republik,” a collective of creatives dedicated to humanitarian and community support in Lagos.