The Legendary Actor died on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after a prolonged illness, according to a family source. The specific illness was not disclosed his death was announced Friday, November 6, by the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) National President, Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, on Instagram: “Another Legend bows out!! RIP Diewit Ikpechukwu.”
Diewait Ikpechukwu was born on August 23, 1955, from southeastern Nigeria. Before Nollywood, he was a former footballer and a business office manager at Nike. He later owned a communications company.
He made his feature film debut as a traditional ruler in Evil Men (1998) alongside Pete Edochie, and built a career spanning 25+ years / over 200 films, mostly playing kings, traditional rulers, and powerful elders.
Known films include:
• The August Meeting
• Royal Palace (2005)
• The Guilty (2006) & The Guilty 2
• Across the River (2006)
• Python King (2007)
• Ìjé Love (2022)
He served as Chairman of AGN Enugu State chapter and was a patron of Veterans All Stars International Football Club Enugu. He was known for mentoring young talents and advising upcoming actors to avoid desperation and guard against exploitation.
His daughter Chiamaka Yusuf, aka Chiamax, posted an emotional video on Friday asking AGN to take down its tribute / burial poster, saying she should be the one to announce her father’s death and asking for privacy. She asked that nobody publish his obituary without her consent.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
This comes just weeks after the death of another veteran, Francis Duru.
