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National Film and Video Censors Board, EFCC Collaborates To Scrutinise Sources Of Funding For Movie Production

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed to filmmakers to conduct due diligence before accepting funding for movie production.
The chairman of the Commission, Mr Olanipekun Olukayode stated this at the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Round Table Forum with film Producers, Exhibitors and Distributors, titled “Morality and Ethics in Film Production in Nigeria,” at the Second Lagos International Film and Cinema Convention, according to statement by NFVCB on Thursday.

The chairman according to the statement was represented by EFCC’s Head, Public Affairs, Lagos Directorate, Ayo Oyewole.
Speaking, he challenged filmmakers to ensure that the film industry did not become a soft target for funds laundered illegally from outside the financial system.
“Filmmakers must conduct due diligence on funds for their productions otherwise they act as courier for illicit funds,” Oyewole, said adding, “there is need for filmmakers to carry out know your customer test before accessing any funding.”

Oyewole, however, admitted that the EFCC did not provide funding for film productions and also had no say on the direction of the script.
However, the appeal to filmmakers is for the betterment of the economy.
The Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr Husseini Shaibu, corroborated the claims by the EFCC.
Husseini, said, “With the abrogation of tobacco advertising in the electronic and print media, and the EFCC closing down on Estate Developers, the film industry naturally becomes the next target for illicit funds.”

He, however enjoined filmmakers to pay greater attention to the sources of funds for their film productions and the promotion of crimes in their film.
He expressed regret that, “the consequences of crime in some films are usually not commensurate with the crime committed by the antagonist in some movies.”

Responding, the President of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria, Mr Opeyemi Ajayi, stated that request by the anti-graft agency was difficult for the film industry to meet, stating that the sector is a private driven.
“Moreso, the film industry doesn’t receive any funding or grants from the government,” he said.

Another prominent filmmaker, Teco Benson, shared the same sentiment, advising the EFCC to put money down for Productions if they want certain films produced or commission documentaries.
He said the onus is on the EFCC to track the owners of the funds, while filmmakers are concerned on how to repay the funds advanced to them.

 

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Portable wanted as Ogun government arraigns nine associates for assaulting officials

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Controversial Nigerian singer, Portable, is reportedly on the run as the Ogun State Government arraigned nine of his associates for assaulting officials.

The singer’s proteges were arraigned on Thursday before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court.

The Ogun State Police Command accused the suspects of assaulting government officials from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The suspects, identified as Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19; Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; Gospel Kanu, 20; Nurudeen Warris, 21; Adetola Alashe, 25; Fatimo Muhammed, 26; Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27; and Samuel Adeleke, 28, were arraigned on a five-count charge of armed violence with cutlasses and guns, felony, obstruction, assault, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Police Prosecutor Sunday Ekong told the court that the defendants committed the offences alongside Portable around 10:00 am on Wednesday at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu, Sango-Ota, in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

Ekong explained that the singer, who is currently at large, unlawfully restricted, obstructed, and assaulted town planners Ramon Lateef, Akinpelumi Oyero, and Abidemi Onabanjo while they were performing their lawful duties at Odogwu Bar, a business owned by Portable.

The prosecutor noted that the defendants were armed with dangerous weapons and had the intent to kill the officers.

The charges violated sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

In her ruling, Justice O.M. Somefun granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5 million each, with sureties who are licensed bond agents registered with the state government.

The case was further adjourned until March 17 for hearing.

The incident reportedly stemmed from the sealing of Portable’s uncompleted hotel and building by the ministry over illegal development without necessary permits.

SOCIETY REPORTERS recalls that the singer had called out the government officers for arresting his customers and vandalizing his bar.

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JUST IN! VETERAN NOLLYWOOD ACTOR COLUMBUS IS DEAD

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Veteran Nollywood actor, Columbus Irosanga is dead

 

Irosanga reportedly died in the early hours of today after a brief illness.

 

Irosanga is a PhD holder and a lecturer at the department of Theatre University of Port Harcourt

 

He has acted in over 100 A rated movies and stage plays

 

Many of his colleagues ,friends and fans have taken to social media to mourn him.

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Actress Olayinka Solomon battles memory loss after childbirth

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Popular Nollywood actress, Olayinka Solomon has opened up about her struggle with memory loss.

The actress made the revelation while discussing her postpartum experience on Wednesday.

In a viral post on her Instagram page, Olayinka Solomon questioned other women on what changed after their childbirth.

Sharing her experiences, Solomon wrote; “Postpartum mom. What changed after childbirth?

“Mine, I get angry over little things and memory loss. We can gist now, next minute, I don’t remember. I don’t get full. I can eat now, and the next minute I’m hungry.”

Society Reporters reports that the actress welcomed her fourth child with her US-based husband on January 9, 2025.

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