A-list Nollywood actress and producer Stephanie Okereke-Linus may soon be
embroiled in a copyright infringement battle over her much acclaimed
movie DRY.
She has been accused of movie script theft by lawyer and
scriptwriter, Daniella Madudu who is demanding a suitable 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.
Read the story from 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.”