A wave of confusion swept across social media after viral claims alleged that legendary Nollywood actor Pete Edochie had died at the age of 78.
The reports, which circulated widely on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube on Tuesday, February 10, claimed the veteran actor had been rushed to a hospital and later passed away.
Some posts even alleged that his eldest son confirmed the death on Instagram.
However, extensive checks have shown that the claims are completely false and not backed by any credible source.
As of February 10, 2026, no reputable Nigerian or international media outlet has reported the death of the revered actor.
There is also no verified statement from any member of the Edochie family confirming the rumour. Neither Yul Edochie nor Uche Edochie has announced the actor’s death.
In previous instances, Uche Edochie publicly dismissed similar rumours, revealing that false reports about his father’s death have circulated repeatedly for over two decades.
This latest incident is not the first time the respected actor has been the subject of death rumours. Similar false stories surfaced as far back as 2012 and reappeared several times between 2020 and 2023.
The hoaxes continued intermittently from 2024 through 2026, often spread by clickbait pages looking to generate reach and engagement. Past versions of the rumour claimed he died abroad or after an accident, but all were later debunked.
