Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption tackles which have forced many corrupt leaders to begin refunding stolen or embezzled monies, there has been panic among prominent players in the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood.
The industry benefited immensely from former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s government, but with little or no development taking place, despite the huge sums of grants received from the government.
Former President Jonathan with Nigerian actors and actresses.
A top-notched Nollywood actor who craved anonymity disclosed on Saturday, August 29, that the industry received not less than N4 billion from Jonathan in form of grants, and the money was embezzled by some groups of people.
He lamented that the money was shared ‘mysteriously’ among those who pretended to be representing the industry.
“But now, there is fire on the mountain. All those that were part of that shady deal are now running up and down because there are strong indications that Buhari will soon beam his searchlight.”
Apart from the enormous financial grants Jonathan gave to Nollywood, he also spoilt the popular actors who flooded his campaign rallies with money. The actors were led by the embattled Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) President, Ibinabo Fiberesima.
The source added: “There is serious panic among our people now because from information we are gathering, there will be a probe to the N4billion, and once that is done, trust me many people will go to jail. The culprits are having sleepless nights now, and some of them have even made a u-turn, trying to lobby Buhari.”
Meanwhile, on March 16, 2015, a Federal High Court ruled that Ibinabo should stop parading herself as the President of the AGN. The ruling came after she and the guild’s Board of Trustees were dragged to court by some embittered members who include star actor Emeka Ike.
