Insider says filmmaker didn't steal idea for "Dry" movie

According to Madudu, a close friend of Linus, Joy Ndidi, was one of her editors in 2011, and had access to her script.

Madudu, who claims that "Dry" has striking similarities to her work and has threatened legal actions against Linus, is requesting a compensation fee of sixty million naira alongside royalties.

Pulse Nigeria reached out to Linus' representative, who stated that the filmmaker will not be making any comment on the issue, as her Lawyers are currently handling it.

However, Pulse Nigeria obtained a statement from Joy Ndidi, who has discredited Madudu's claim that she was one of her editors in 2011.

She stated that at the time she met and became Stephanie's blogging assistant in 2013, Linus had already shot the first part of "Dry," and even had a teaser trailer for it.

"Stephanie already shot her movie before she hired me or ever met me at all and even released a teaser trailer before I met Daniella at all. So, her claims make absolutely no sense as facts don’t lie," Ndidi said.

Ndidi also stated that she met Madudu in 2014 at Obafemi Awolowo University, where they were introduced by a friend.

"I met Miss Madudu in February 2014 in a friend’s dorm on a visit to Obafemi Awolowo University. I was introduced to her by a friend," Obi said.

"I was never Daniella’s friend not until that year," she added.

"I also have cause to believe Daniella is doing this in order to exploit Stephanie Linus as I heard from a mutual friend that she is trying to release the book behind the veil and she wants to use Stephanie for cheap publicity."

"Dry" is Stephanie Linus' multi award-winning movie, which focuses on Vesicovaginal fistula condition and girl child marriage, narrating the story of a 13-year-old girl, Halima.