Among the top trending stories of this week is that regarding a Nollywood producer named Chioma Okoye. Her name might not ring a bell as such but the woman was forced to speak out after a deal about a new TV series she produced about two years ago went awry. Okoye said she was beaten, unlawfully detained and threatened over the series titled ‘Lagos Men’ but which is based on a true life story.
The producer’s account was corroborated by her lawyer, who said an agreement was reached between the woman, on whose life the story is based and Okoye before production began on the series back in 2014. However, in the period spanning two years, the affected lady, having had a change of heart about making her story public, wants everything relating to further broadcast of the already released series to stop.
Focusing on marital vows, secrets, scandals and more, ‘Lagos Men’ aim to help give the woman a voice and also to show what happens in the society with the hope of changing it, according to the producer. Things went further south around two weeks ago, specifically on August 12 as Chioma alleged that her home was invaded by thugs allegedly acting on behalf of the woman on whom the series was based. She stated further that the woman got men of the Nigeria Police Force involved so as to force Chioma to take down the series and stop further viewing.
“It must be clearly established that the film did not contravene any known law, statute, rules of motion pictures, injurious to reputation, slanderous or libelous. Rather it’s a story created to bring to life people’s rough tides, calculated at superb imagination engagement and to promote good societal values.
We have taken steps to protect our client and we shall further seek redress in the court of law on her behalf. They should not conceive that the stupid chance they had on our client that fateful morning, their intimidation, coercion, and threat might deprive her of her rights and all this success, newly appreciated and newly illumined by her fans and the general public,” her lawyer said.
Said to have been offered N3million for her efforts and to forget everything about the movie, Okoye is crying out for help so that more harm does not come her way. The common question on social media was: Who is Chioma Okoye? But you can be sure this is not the last you will hear of this matter.
– New Telegraph
