Oboli enjoys court victory, returns to screening of ‘Okafor’s law’

A day after a Federal High Court in Lagos lifted an injunction on the disputed movie of Nollywood actress Omoni Oboli titled ‘Okafor’s Law’, facts have emerged as to why the court decided to lift the injunction earlier placed on the film.

According to information made available to Ripples Nigeria, the failure of the accuser, Jude Idada to appear in court during the court hearing twice and his inability to prove his claims beyond reasonable doubt that the movie was written by him, swung the court’s decision in favour of the actress.

With the new ruling by Justice Ibrahim Buba, (the same judge who initially imposed an injunction on the movie) Oboli who can now heave a sigh of relief will now go ahead with the screening of the movie with reports suggesting the film will now be at cinemas nationwide from Saturday.

Four days ago, an Anton Piller order was issued by Justice Buba for the seizure of the film and also, stopping it from being shown in any theatre or cinema house, pending the court’s decision.

The judge reportedly also ordered the “seizure of all copies, materials, projections or infringing materials, relating to the subject matter.”

The court’s order made on Friday reads as follows: “An order of interim injunction, restraining the first to third defendants, whether by themselves or their privies, from premiering the feature film “Okafor’s Law”, in Lagos or any part of Nigeria, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

“An order of interim injunction, restraining the defendant from releasing the featured film in any movie theatre or Cinema house on March 31 pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

“An order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants from distributing the featured film, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“An Anton piller order is granted to the plaintiff, to enter into the defendant’s premises, Cinema, Studio and other places of dissemination, to seize all copies of infringing materials relating to subject matter.

“An order, directing the defendants to deliver and surrender to the plaintiff’s solicitors, all products and packages with the inscription, “Okafor’s Law” and volume of transaction or trade which have been done by defendants”.

Last Friday, scores of movie goers who bought tickets to come see the premiere of ‘Okafor’s Law’ got the shock of their lives when they were prevented from entering IMAX Cinema to see the premiere due to a court injunction over copyright infringement.

The injunction which was issued on the same day stopped the official premiere of the movie until the case which names Omoni Oboli along with Dioni Visions and Filmone Distribution as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants respectively is settled amicably.

Omoni Oboli’s travails started last September when Canadian-based Nigerian writer Jude Idada accused her of stealing his idea for her latest movie.

The actress initially kept quiet about the accusations levelled against her by the Canadian-based Nigerian until the writer resorted to taking the matter up with the actress in court after the move was approved following an application by Rancoteur Productions Ltd, on behalf of Jude, the accuser.

Speaking to scores of disappointed guests who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the movie, the actress assured fans that gathered that there was no cause for alarm as the movie was 100% written by her.

Gsent talks........Taking You Further