Okafor's Law is a 2016 Nigerian romantic comedy drama film written, directed and produced by Omoni Oboli. The film stars Blossom Chukwujekwu, Omoni Oboli, Toyin Aimakhu, Gabriel Afolayan, Ufuoma McDermott, Richard Mofe Damijo, Tina Mba, Kemi Lala Akindoju and Ken Erics.[1][2][3][4]

Okafor's Law
Theatrical release poster
Directed byOmoni Oboli
Written byOmoni Oboli
Produced byOmoni Oboli
StarringBlossom Chukwujekwu
Omoni Oboli
Toyin Aimakhu
Gabriel Afolayan
Ufuoma McDermott
Richard Mofe Damijo
Tina Mba
Kemi Lala Akindoju
Ken Erics
CinematographyYinka Edward
Music byKulanen Ikyo
Production
company
Dioni Visions
Distributed byFilmOne Distributions
Release dates
  • 12 September 2016 (2016-09-12) (TIFF)
  • 31 March 2017 (2017-03-31) (Nigeria)
Running time
110 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish
Budget₦40 million[citation needed]

Plot edit

The film goes against the view that straight men and women can't just be friends. It brings this true by telling the story of Chucks (Blossom Chukwujekwu) nicknamed by his friends as the Terminator, an ardent player with ladies, whose quest to proving this law to his friends brings him three women he must re-seduce: Ify (Ufuoma McDermott), Tomi (Toyin Aimakhu) and Ejiro (Omoni Oboli), whose lives have drastically changed. And this must be done within 21 days. This challenge of their various new status makes his quest to win the bet more and more insurmountable as he tries to prove the immortality of the long age law: Okafor's Law.

Cast edit

Production edit

The film was shot at locations in Ikorodu, Lagos State.[5]

Release edit

The film was first released on 12 September 2016 at Toronto International Film Festival, Canada.[6] It was scheduled to be screened on 10 November 2016 at the Stockholm International Film Festival,[7] Sweden and later in April 2017, Nigeria.

Controversy edit

Upon the film's release at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, it was accused of Intellectual property theft by Jude Idada, a writer, who claimed to be the owner of the film's story; he also claimed to have written part of the script; all without appropriate credit or remuneration.[8][9][10] On 24 March 2017, during the premiere of the film, a court injunction was delivered, which prevented the film from being screened at the event, and also from any future screenings.[11][12] However, the injunction was lifted in court on 30 March 2017, due to the lack of enough evidence to justify a suspension of the film's release. The film was allowed to open in theatres on 31 March, as originally scheduled, pending the conclusion of the court proceedings. Furthermore, it is being suggested that part of the box office earnings for Okafor's Law might be up for damages, if the court should rule in favour of Idada.[13]

References edit

  1. ^ Okogba (23 September 2016). "Omoni Oboli's 'Okafor's Law' sold out three halls at TIFF - Vanguard News". Vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  2. ^ "Actor rates Omoni Oboli's film, Okafor's Law, high". P.M. NEWS Nigeria. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Gabriel Afolayan speaks on Omoni Oboli's new film, Okafor's Law - The Nation Nigeria". Thenationonlineng.net. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  4. ^ ""Okafor's Law": Omoni Oboli, Richard Mofe Damijo, Toyin Aimakhu star in new movie - Movies - Pulse" (in German). Pulse.ng. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Okafor's Law Nollywood Comedy Movie Sets In Ikorodu Lagos". NGCube.com.
  6. ^ Omoni Oboli. "Okafor's Law". Tiff.net. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Okafor's Law | Stockholm Film Festival". Stockholmfilmfestival.se. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  8. ^ Okogba (24 September 2016). "Untold story of Omoni Oboli's plagiarism saga: What my experience with the actress will teach Nigerian film makers - Vanguard News". Vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  9. ^ Ikenna (9 September 2016). "Omoni Oboli under attack, accused of stealing idea for her 'Okafor Law - Vanguard News". Vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  10. ^ ""I'm speaking with my lawyers" - Jude Idada on 'theft' of plot by Omoni Oboli". 26 September 2016.
  11. ^ Augoye, Jayne (2017). "Court injunction halts Omoni Oboli's movie screening". Premium Times.
  12. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga (24 March 2017). "Omoni Oboli served an injunction to halt release of "Okafor's Law" in Nigeria". Pulse.ng.
  13. ^ "BREAKING: Omoni Oboli Granted Go-Ahead To Release "Okafor's Law" Tomorrow, Friday". True Nollywood Stories.

External links edit