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 by | Omoni Oboli |
| Written by | Omoni Oboli |
| Produced by | Omoni Oboli |
| Starring | Blossom Chukwujekwu Omoni Oboli Toyin Aimakhu Gabriel Afolayan Ufuoma McDermott Richard Mofe Damijo Tina Mba Kemi Lala Akindoju Ken Erics |
| Cinematography | Yinka Edward |
| Music by | Kulanen Ikyo |
Production company | Dioni Visions |
| Distributed by | FilmOne Distributions |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Language | English |
| Budget | ₦40 million[citation needed] |
Plot
editThe 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- Toyin Aimakhu as Tomi Tijani
- Omoni Oboli as Ejiro
- Ken Erics as Baptist
- Ufuoma McDermott as Ify Omene
- Richard Mofe Damijo as Mr. Onome
- Blossom Chukwujekwu as Chuks Okafor (a.k.a. Terminator)
- Gabriel Afolayan as Fox
- Tina Mba as Mom
- Kemi Lala Akindoju as Onome
- Mary Lazarus as Kamsi
- Halima Abubakar as Cassandra
- Yvonne Jegede as Toyin
- Tomi Adeoye as Receptionist
- Olu Adedeji as Kalu
- Henry Ani as Kabir
- Luke Ekpah as Tayo
Production
editThe film was shot at locations in Ikorodu, Lagos State.[5]
Release
editThe 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
editUpon 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- ^ Okogba (23 September 2016). "Omoni Oboli's 'Okafor's Law' sold out three halls at TIFF - Vanguard News". Vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ "Actor rates Omoni Oboli's film, Okafor's Law, high". P.M. NEWS Nigeria. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ "Gabriel Afolayan speaks on Omoni Oboli's new film, Okafor's Law - The Nation Nigeria". Thenationonlineng.net. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ ""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.
- ^ "Okafor's Law Nollywood Comedy Movie Sets In Ikorodu Lagos". NGCube.com.
- ^ Omoni Oboli. "Okafor's Law". Tiff.net. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ "Okafor's Law | Stockholm Film Festival". Stockholmfilmfestival.se. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ikenna (9 September 2016). "Omoni Oboli under attack, accused of stealing idea for her 'Okafor Law - Vanguard News". Vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ ""I'm speaking with my lawyers" - Jude Idada on 'theft' of plot by Omoni Oboli". 26 September 2016.
- ^ Augoye, Jayne (2017). "Court injunction halts Omoni Oboli's movie screening". Premium Times.
- ^ Izuzu, Chidumga (24 March 2017). "Omoni Oboli served an injunction to halt release of "Okafor's Law" in Nigeria". Pulse.ng.
- ^ "BREAKING: Omoni Oboli Granted Go-Ahead To Release "Okafor's Law" Tomorrow, Friday". True Nollywood Stories. 28 January 2019.
External links
edit- Okafor's Law at IMDb