The recent separation of Nollywood actress Bukola Awoyemi, popularly known as Bukola Arugba, from her partner Damola Olatunji, who is also a Nollywood actor and the father of her twins, has left many curious as to why they were not formally married despite spending several years together.

It is worth recalling that Bukola Arugba was involved in a situation where she “snatched” Damola Olatunji from his legally married wife, Raliat Abiodun-Olatunji.

Bukola Arugba never admitted to causing immense pain to Raliat Abiodun Olatunji, as she not only disrupted Raliat’s marriage but also took over her husband, Damola.

On April 8, 2013, Damola Olatunji officially married Raliat at the Ikoyi registry, and the couple also had a traditional wedding ceremony. However, their marriage crumbled before its first anniversary in 2014, amidst allegations of infidelity made by Raliat, who was based in the United Kingdom.

Raliat Abiodun Sobowale, affectionately known as Rally by her friends, exposed the romantic affair between Damola Olatunji and actress Bukky Awoyemi, popularly known as Arugba.

In 2014, Bukola Arugba and Damola Olatunji were at the center of media attention. Rumors circulated that they were involved romantically while Damola was still married to Raliat, who had returned to the United Kingdom after their wedding to assist in securing documents for her husband’s UK Visa. Initially, Raliat did not believe the rumors of an affair between her husband and the actress.

However, Raliat decided to make an unexpected trip back to their home in Lagos’ Ajao Estate and was devastated to find her household torn apart by Bukola Arugba. Distraught, she discovered that her husband was not at home and attempted to reach him on the phone, but his line was switched off.

After waiting for days without any sign of her husband, Raliat inquired with neighbors and learned that Bukola Arugba had taken over her husband and was even pregnant with his child. Although Damola denied these allegations as rumors to his legal wife, the marriage with Raliat eventually ended.

Bukola Arugba went on to give birth to a set of twins, a boy and a girl, on January 3, 2015. Meanwhile, Bukola’s late mother, a devout Christian, insisted on a low-key introduction ceremony to gradually formalize their union.

To this day, Damola’s first wife has not consented to a divorce, and it has been reported that Raliat has moved on and is dating a wealthy Nigerian who owns a record label in Lagos.

Bukola and Damola remained unmarried but continued their relationship as live-in partners, even years after betraying Raliat. However, on May 30, 2023, Bukola issued a statement through her lawyer, officially confirming the end of their partnership. The statement clarified that she was never legally married to Damola.

The statement of notification reads:

“We are solicitors to Ms. Bukola Awoyemi, also known as Arugba, hereinafter referred to as our client and on whose instruction we give this Notice.

“Please take NOTE that our client, Bukola Awoyemi and Mr. Damola Olatunji are no longer an item.

“They have gone their separate ways and this is without any hard feelings or ill will. They have never been married to each other but are blessed with two lovely children (twins).

“They have both agreed to jointly ensure that the wellbeing and welfare of their two children is guaranteed.”