Omoni Oboli "I could have gone ahead to screen "Okafor's Law," but I'm a law abiding citizen"

"I could have gone ahead to screen "Okafor's Law," but I'm a law abiding citizen"

chibumga izuzu

March 25, 2017 12:58 AM

At what was supposed to be the premiere of "Okafor's Law" in Nigeria, an emotional Omoni Oboli addressed the copyright infringement accusation and court injunction that prevented the movie from screening.

Following an injunction which was served Omoni Oboli,

Addressing the invited guests at the IMAX Cinema, the filmmaker broke down in tears as she stated that the script and movie were created '100 %' by her.

She further described the court injunction as bullying and abuse of the law.

She was supported on the stage by MO Abudu, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Chioma Chukwuka, Ufuoma McDermott among others.

Read her full speech below;

"I'm so honoured that you're all here today, thank you so much. Thank you for honouring me, thank you for your support over the years, thank you for always being there when I call. It means so much to me, and I don't take it for granted. "

"I was really looking forward to showing you the movie tonight. The movie screened at Toronto International Film Festival, Stockholm International Film Festival and in America, but all that is nothing if Nigerian people don't see it. "

"Unfortunately, we can't show the film. At 5pm, we got an injunction from the court not to show this film. I'm sure some of you heard some allegation sometime ago, but, my story, my script, my movie, was written 100% by me. You can take that to the bank."

"What anybody says, what anybody does, it's all a lie. I don't know why this is happening, I work hard. "

"It's a shame that anybody would want to stop this. I mean, it has been a long process, we shot this movie last year, we have gone everywhere, we have put in so much money, publicity and everything, and some people are trying to stop it. "

"God is on the throne and it's fine. It will all come out in the wash. This is not going to stop me, I'm going to keep pushing. "

"I could have gone ahead to show this film today, but, I'm a law abiding citizen and I have to follow the law, unfortunately.

"I believe that it is bullying, I believe that it is abuse of the law, and we are going to take this up. "

The movie which was scheduled to premiere on March 24, 2017, at IMAX Cinema, Lekki Phase 1, was halted after Oboli, Dioni Visions and Filmone Distribution were served an injunction to stop the premiere and nationwide release of the movie.

The complaint was filed by Raconteur Productions. And, if the actress had proceeded with the premiere, she would have been guilty of contempt of court.

The complaint is related to the undefinedn 2016 by Canada-based writer, Jude Idada.

Pulse had reached out Oboli's Reps in 2016, but there was no response. When he revealed that he was in touch with his lawyer.

Despite the ongoing controversy, Oboli and Babatope assured the guests that movie will debut on the scheduled nationwide release date, March 31, 2017.

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