Francis Van-Lare, the father of Dr. Ikenna Erinne’s estranged partner, has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the late Nigerian doctor’s financial struggles and the custody battle that allegedly contributed to his tragic suicide.
In his recent statements, Van-Lare refuted claims that Erinne’s medical license had been revoked and sought to clarify misunderstandings surrounding his daughter’s background.
One of the key issues that surfaced after Dr. Erinne’s death was the claim that his medical license had been revoked due to financial difficulties. Van-Lare, however, firmly denied this, stating that Dr. Erinne held active licenses in multiple US states, including Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Maryland. He emphasized that no single state could revoke all of these licenses at once.
“To set the record straight, Dr. Ikenna Erinne’s medical licenses were never revoked. He had valid licenses in Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Maryland. One state cannot revoke all of them, and none of his licenses were revoked,” Van-Lare wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Clarifying Child Support Details
Van-Lare also addressed claims surrounding the $15,000 monthly child support ordered by the US court. He explained that this amount was set due to the special needs of Dr. Erinne’s son, who requires ongoing medical care and attends a special needs school.
“The child support was set at that amount because his son needs special care, including medical treatment and attending a specialized school,” Van-Lare clarified. “The court takes both parents’ incomes into account when determining such obligations, so Dr. Erinne was not a victim.”
Van-Lare expressed frustration over the focus on financial matters, stating that Dr. Erinne’s true failure was not in managing his obligations, but in leaving his children without a father.
“He failed his son and daughter, and now they’re without their father. What kind of person takes their own life over money meant to support their children? He was asked to pay child support, not alimony or spousal support, as my daughter is self-sufficient,” Van-Lare said.
Addressing the Hostage Situation
Van-Lare also touched on the hostage situation that occurred before Dr. Erinne’s suicide, where he reportedly held his ex-wife and children at gunpoint for hours. He expressed relief that the situation didn’t escalate further and emphasized that Dr. Erinne’s actions were irrational.
“I’m thankful that he didn’t harm my daughter or grandchildren. He wasn’t a victim, and his behavior was unacceptable. In the end, no one wins in this situation,” he stated.
Clarifying His Daughter’s Background
Amid the online rumors, Van-Lare took the opportunity to address false claims about his daughter’s background, particularly the suggestion that she had been brought from Nigeria and sent to school by Dr. Erinne. He clarified that his daughter was born in Long Island, New York, and is an American citizen.
“My daughter was born in Long Island, New York, and is a full-blooded American citizen. She wasn’t brought from Nigeria or sent to school by Dr. Erinne,” he explained. “She earned a full sports scholarship in athletics and nearly represented the USA in the 2012 Olympics in the 100m and 200m. She is also an accomplished pianist and trumpeter and holds a Doctor of Medical Science degree.”
Van-Lare’s remarks shed light on his daughter’s achievements, which he stressed were the result of her own hard work and American upbringing, not any connection to Dr. Erinne.
Despite the personal grief and the surrounding controversies, Van-Lare reiterated his wish for peace for all those involved.
“May his soul rest in peace. My family will raise the children, regardless of what’s happened,” he concluded.
