The actor made the claims during an episode of the African A-List podcast uploaded on Saturday, where he reflected on his relationship, the warning signs he overlooked, and the emotional impact the separation has had on him and his family.
Rolland admitted that, in hindsight, there were indications that all was not well before the marriage. However, he said he ignored them because he trusted his then-partner and was influenced by members of her family.
“I am not a fool. I saw signs, but I was hypnotised by my mother-in-law.”
According to the actor, several people close to him, including his mother and some friends, had advised him against going ahead with the marriage after what he described as spiritual consultations.
“My mother and friends made spiritual consultations and warned me not to marry her, but I did not listen.”
Rolland said the couple dated for four years before tying the knot and that throughout their relationship, his former wife repeatedly told him she was a virgin. Believing her, he said he deliberately avoided becoming intimate with her before marriage.
“She told me she was a virgin, so I did not bother to make attempts to make love to her. We dated for four good years.”
He recalled that after their traditional introduction, she insisted they wait until their wedding night before consummating the marriage.
“After our introduction, she said, ‘Till the wedding night.’ I had to wait for some months, then on the wedding night, it ended up to be a lie.”
The actor said the discovery left him deeply disappointed and that he considered ending the marriage immediately, but ultimately decided to remain in the relationship.
“I was disappointed, and I should have walked away, but I did not. It was not me.”
Reflecting on the eventual breakdown of the marriage, Rolland said the most heartbreaking consequence was being separated from his two children after the relationship ended.
“What was disheartening is that we have two kids together, and she took them away.”
He further alleged that the emotional toll of being unable to see his children contributed to serious health challenges.
“Because of the children she took away, I had a stroke.
“Because of too much thinking about those children, I had a stroke.”
Rolland also revealed that the separation has continued to affect other members of his family, particularly his mother, whom he said still longs to reunite with her grandchildren.
“My mother still cries because she wants to see those children.”
While speaking candidly about the challenges he faced in his marriage and its aftermath, the actor did not disclose when the union officially ended or indicate whether there are any ongoing legal proceedings regarding the custody of the children.
His remarks have since generated conversations on social media, with many reacting to his account of the failed marriage, the custody dispute and the emotional struggles he says followed the separation.