By Ado Oyeyemi
A married gym instructor, Dennis Emmanuel, has expressed regret over his affair with social media feminist Folakemi Martins, after their relationship degenerated into a public dispute involving allegations of harassment, stalking and attempts to damage his marriage.
Emmanuel, in a lengthy post on X, alleged that Martins continued to contact him and his wife after he ended their relationship, claiming that the situation had begun to affect his family and reputation.
The gym instructor admitted that he had a sexual relationship with Martins, but alleged that she knew he was married when they met on May 9, 2026, and that he had initially told her he was looking for a “side chic.”
He shared screenshots of alleged conversations between them, which he said showed that Martins was aware of his marital status and had agreed to the nature of their relationship.
Emmanuel claimed that problems arose after Martins allegedly became increasingly demanding and began seeking a deeper commitment from him. He also accused her of stalking him and his wife online.
Some of the alleged conversations showed Martins asking when they would meet again and expressing her desire for intimacy. She also allegedly complained that Emmanuel was emotionally distant and had repeatedly rejected her attempts to get closer to him.
In one of the messages, Martins allegedly told Emmanuel that she had repeatedly begged for intimacy, video calls, clarity, meetings and affection, despite his stated desire to end the relationship.
Emmanuel said he eventually broke off the affair, citing what he described as Martins’ aggressive and condescending behaviour, and informed her that they would no longer see each other.
He alleged, however, that ending the relationship did not stop the contact, claiming that Martins and some of her friends continued to monitor and approach him and his wife on social media.
In a post that preceded his decision to make the matter public, Emmanuel alleged that Martins was at his residence with unidentified men who were banging on his door, adding that he was afraid to open it.
Explaining his decision to speak publicly, he said the dispute had gone beyond a private disagreement because, according to him, it was affecting his reputation, marriage, home and family.
Martins, however, rejected Emmanuel’s account of the relationship, insisting that she never agreed to be his “side chick” and was unaware that he was married when their relationship began.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Martins said she was gathering evidence and pursuing the matter through legal channels. She declined to provide further details, saying she would present her side when permitted by the court.
“I’m currently working on enough proof and doing everything legally. I know everyone has been trying to get my side, but little proof has been out on X.
“I never agreed to be a side chick and was never aware of any marriage,” she said.
The controversy has since generated reactions on X, with several users questioning Emmanuel’s decision to engage in an affair while married and subsequently make the dispute public.
Some commenters also criticised the married man for exposing his wife and family to the fallout from the relationship, while others focused on the allegations made against Martins.
READ ALSO
- AFCON 2027Q: How Simon inspired my goal against Madagascar — Usor
- BREAKING: Ondo varsity workers suspend strike, resume Tuesday
- Matchday 2 of PAMOJA 2027 AFCON Qualifiers Start Today
- ‘Waist Trainers Made You Lose My Child’ — MC Fish Tackles Anita Joseph
- KO and Lyrics: The legacy of Kehinde Olaosebikan in Ibadan
The dispute remains centred on conflicting accounts from the two parties, with both sides presenting different versions of how the relationship began and why it eventually collapsed.
