By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Heartbreak and redemption: Lamptey’s emotional journey
Former Ghanaian football star, Nii Odartey Lamptey, has opened up about the profound emotional turmoil he experienced upon learning that the three children he raised with his ex-wife, Gloria Appiah, were not biologically his. In a recent interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV on YouTube, Lamptey revealed the depth of his anguish, admitting that the revelation drove him to the brink of despair, even leading him to contemplate the use of a gun in his anguish.
Speaking in an approximately 10-minute-long video, Lamptey also shared details about being smuggled to Belgium with a Nigerian passport. The 49-year-old former Anderlecht and Aston Villa forward recounted the harrowing moment he discovered that the children he had raised with his ex-wife were not his own. With a gun in his car, he contemplated drastic action but ultimately decided against it after reflecting on his future.
The revelation came in 2013 when DNA tests confirmed that Lamptey was not the father of the children, ultimately leading to the collapse of his 20-year marriage. The subsequent legal battle with his ex-wife over compensation and assets resulted in protracted turmoil, culminating in a 2017 court ruling in Lamptey’s favor. The court ruled that Gloria Appiah had committed ‘adultery’ and nullified her request for 50 percent of Lamptey’s wealth.
Reflecting on his reaction to the devastating news, Lamptey admitted that he nearly took a decision that could have resulted in jail time. “Yeah, I took that decision [to pull a gun], but God spoke to me and since then I haven’t touched my gun. I was broken, but I was very patient about it, and that has led me to where I am today.” Lamptey emphasized the importance of controlling his anger and the impact it had on his life.
Despite the turmoil, Lamptey has found happiness in his marriage to actress Ruweida Yakubu, with Turmoil
shares three children.
Paternity Revelation, Emotional Turmoil
Heartbreak and redemption: Lamptey’s emotional journey