Kunle Afolayan denies ₦5bn lawsuit rumour over Aníkúlápó, saying he owes no money and has no legal dispute with FirstBank

Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has dismissed reports claiming he is facing a ₦5 billion lawsuit from FirstBank over financing for his 2022 movie, Aníkúlápó, describing the allegations as false.

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Kunle Afolayan denies ₦5bn lawsuit rumour in a video shared on Friday, where he addressed concerns from fans, friends and colleagues who reached out after the claims circulated online.

The award-winning filmmaker said there was no legal dispute between him and FirstBank, adding that neither he nor his company, Golden Effects Pictures, owes the bank or any other party the reported amount.

“I try not to do this, but for whatever it is worth, and also for those who are well-wishers, friends and family who are really worried about the publication of this nonsense they are spreading around, saying we’re owing ₦5 billion, I really wish,” Afolayan said.

He joked that he would gladly accept such funding if a bank offered him ₦5 billion, noting that he would use the money for productive purposes.

“If I see a bank that will give me ₦5 billion, I definitely will take it because I’ll use it for the betterment of the country, but the honest truth is there’s nothing of such,” he added.

Afolayan explained that Aníkúlápó was produced through a partnership between Golden Effects Pictures and Netflix, describing the arrangement as a clear co-production deal.

“Aníkúlápó, even from the film, was a co-production between Golden Effects and Netflix, and it was a clear, straightforward deal. No money is owed. No money is owed to anyone,” he said.

The filmmaker also dismissed claims that FirstBank had taken legal action against him, saying he maintains a positive relationship with the financial institution.

“There is no litigation. FirstBank, we are good friends of the bank. We’ve done collaborations in the past and we’re still doing stuff, but we don’t have any issue of any sort,” Afolayan stated.

The rumours gained attention on social media after claims surfaced that Afolayan had allegedly obtained a ₦5 billion loan to finance Aníkúlápó and failed to repay the facility.

The filmmaker thanked those who contacted him over the reports and reiterated that the claims were untrue.

“Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the links and the messages. We’re not owing anybody ₦5 billion. Thank you,” he said.

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Afolayan did not identify those responsible for spreading the reports, only describing them as people known to him.