Popular Nigerian Actress ‘TO GOD BE THE GLORY’ Sues Nollywood for Non Payment of Royalties | Nigerian Actors Guild President Says They Won’t Pay A Dime
The most popular Nollywood actress-‘To God Be the Glory’, who has featured in almost every Nigerian movie—and sometimes appears in movies form other parts of the African continent has filed a lawsuit against all Nollywood industry players, citing non-payment of royalties as her cause of action.
Though the president of Nigerian Actors Guild- Ibinabo Fiberesima who was cited in the suit as one of the numerous defendants said To God Be the Glory’s lawsuit is frivolous and should be thrown out on the grounds that she has no contracts and witnesses to testify—the actress says, ‘na lie’.
Speaking to ScrewLife.Com’s Nigerian correspondent, actress-To God Be the Glory said; “What’s the Actors Guild’s president talking about that I have no witnesses and evidence? What witnesses do I need again when the judge will even bear witness.”
She continued, “everybody who watches Nigerian movies have seen me in there; I am usually the last actor at the end of the movie called ‘To God Be the Glory’ before the names of the other actors start to roll as cast.”
The peeved actress stated that for many years Nollywood has been promising her royalty payments and the last time this issue came up, former President-General Abacha mediated it and paid her some money—he also asked the Nigerian Actors Guild to see to it that her royalties are paid accordingly.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
Since then, various Nollywood film-makers have used her for their movies—without paying her a dime, claims ‘To God Be the Glory.’
Apparently, Nollywood had the same issue a few years ago with actor-To Be Continued, who had to turn to the federal court of Nigeria for redress—he was paid a lump sum and film-makers were ordered by the court to pay him upfront before using him; a decision which killed his career because they did not want to pay.
According to our correspondent, ‘To God Be the Glory’ is certain that she will win her case in Nigeria—after which she will pursuit the other small industries where she has worked but yet to receive her royalties.