Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke-Linus might have found herself in trouble after allegedly stealing a script.
Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke-Linus
Nigerian actress, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, has been embroiled in a
copyright infringement battle over her much acclaimed movie DRY.
She is being accused by lawyer and scriptwriter, Daniella Madudu of
stealing her script and she wants compensation of N60,000,000 (sixty
Million Naira), and royalties, failing which a civil and criminal action
will be taken against Stephanie Okereke-Linus and associate, Joy Ndidi.
Here is the story as reported by Olisa.tv:
Information reaching us claim that the cinematography of the movie
DRY allegedly has “substantial similarity” and semblance to an original
work, titled ‘BEHIND HER VEIL,’ written by lawyer and scriptwriter,
Daniella Madudu. This work is said to have been written as early as
2011.
According to our source, a certain Joy Ndidi, who has been a known
associate of Okereke-Linus was on Miss Madudu’s team of readers and
editors in 2011. And this Associate is purported to have made a copy of
the script ‘BEHIND HER VEIL.’
Madudu however had no inkling of foul play until the movie DRY
premiered across cinemas in Nigeria, and her attention was drawn to the
uncanny similarities in the stories.
In the documents prepared by Lagos based solicitors, Rafiu Bello
& co, the obviously distraught Madudu is requesting credits as owner
of the original story, since a substantial part of ‘BEHIND HER VEIL’
was adapted for the movie DRY.
In addition to this, she is requesting a suitable compensation of
N60,000,000 (sixty Million Naira), and royalties, failing which she has
threatened civil and criminal action against Stephanie Okereke-Linus and
her associate, Joy Ndidi.
Meanwhile, Stephanie Okereke-Linus has yet to respond to these allegations personally or through her legal team.
When contacted on Thursday, June 1, 2017, Madudu’s lawyer said: “We
are ready to file the suit anytime from tomorrow as stated in the
demand letter. We have only waited for the 14 days to lapse to offer an
opportunity for Mrs. Okereke-Linus to settle the matter amicably. The
ultimatum lapses today.”
This drama is brewing on the heels of a copyright infringement
scandal involving Canada-based Nigerian writer and filmmaker Jude Idada
and Nollywood’s Omoni Oboli a few months ago.
The premise for their case may have been different, especially as
the movie in contention, Okafor’s Law was only just about to hit the
cinemas when that scandal broke. But we can’t help wonder whose side the
law will be on in the event that the parties seek legal redress.
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