Entertainment

Up coming artiste drags telecoms giants to Court over unauthorized use of song

Published

5 years ago

July 3, 2019

By Ifeoma Ikem

An upcoming hip hop artiste, Okiki Bright has dragged telecommunications giants, 9mobile, Airtel, Glo and another company Mobilexcetera before the federal high court, Ikoyi l

Lagos over illegal use of his intellectual property, ‘Gba gbe boshe sele’ as caller tune without his authorization.

Investigations by members of the Nigeria Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) reveal that in a suit, FHC/L/CS/1776/17 and dated November 22nd, 2017 at the federal high court, Lagos the promising artiste is asking, among other things, for the sum of four hundred million naira from the four defendants and a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from continued use of the work.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday 1 July 2019 before the Honourable Justice I.N OWEIBO, Okiki Bright testified and tendered 16 exhibits, contending that , “after recording my song titled ‘Gbagbe bosesele’ a friend advised me to feature a popular hip hop artist in the country so that the song will go viral. I was later introduced to(Oritsefemi’s first name) Oritsefemi’s agent.

“We bargained, I paid the money and Oritsefemi featured in the song as promised. We released the audio and immediately we rushed to release the video in early 2017.

“We were still working on how to make the song go viral when, in October 2017, people drew my attention to the fact that the song is on caller tune of some telecommunications companies. I downloaded the song for N150 on Airtel to be sure it was my song.

“I involved my lawyer, Barr Alayo Akanbi who advised that we should verify this fact and we found out from Globacom website that my music was listed as caller tune and I downloaded the music using codes provided by these telecommunications company and it was listed there.

We then printed it out as evidence. That was when we decided to officially write them for explanations.”

In a letter dated October 18, 2017, Alayo Akanbi Chambers, solicitors to Okiki Bright wrote to 9mobile demanding among other things, compensation of five hundred million naira (N500,000,000) for the unlawful use of the song.

However, in a letter dated October 30, 2017, 9mobile said the song had been barred from its caller tune platform pending the resolution of the allegations but urged Okiki Bright and his lawyer to direct all queries to MobileXcetera Limited.

Findings by NGIJ revealed that the except for Glo, the telecommunication companies allegedly got the song from MobileXcetera Limited who they believed have paid for the song.

In another twist, MobileXcetera is claiming that Oritsefemi sold the song.“But I called Oritsefemi and he denied any such move. He said since the song does not belong to him he could not have sold it. He told me to go and settle with them,” Okiki supplied.

A quick search by NGIJ revealed that the claim that Oritsefemi owns the song could not possibly be true as all the telecommunications companies listed the song as ‘Gba gbe Boshe Sele by Okiki Bright ft. Oritsefemi. Based on the above one can assume that they understand that the song is by Okiki Bight and that Oritsefemi was only featured in it.

But according to Okiki Bright the road to justice has not only been rough and bumpy but it has been filled with power play and delay tactics.

Although Okiki Bright has come out with another block buster titled Chop make I Chop, he insists he would see his legal struggle through to its conclusion.

In his words, “I had to release ‘Chop make I Chop’ to keep on going, my case in court has really affected me coupled with the manner the telecommunications companies have handled the whole thing.

“I plead with those in positions of authority to come to my aid and help me, the outcome of this case will go a long way in vindicating the judiciary if it is truly the last hope of the common man. As it stands now, justice is on trial”, he declared.

Entertainment

Meet Azeez Odumosu, The Multi-Talented Yoruba Actor Shaping Nollywood’s Future

Published

6 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Meet Azeez Odumosu, The Multi-Talented Yoruba Actor Shaping Nollywood’s Future

Azeez Awiye Odumosu also known as Veron, a rising star in the Yoruba movie industry, has become a force to reckon with as an actor, producer, influencer and the CEO Awiye TV on YouTube channel. Known for his vibrant presence on TikTok and as a successful entrepreneur, Odumosu is the owner of Awiye Autos Nigeria Limited, a reputable car dealership based in Lagos State.

Hailing from Iragunsin, Epe, Lagos State, Azeez began his journey as a content creator, leveraging social media to showcase his talent and build a fanbase. His transition into Nollywood came when he connected with key players in the industry. In 2024, his professional acting career officially began after being introduced to his boss, Kayode Adebayo, popularly known as Kay Alubarika, who is a Nollywood movie director, Akintelu Fatimah Gbemisola and a popular D.O.P, Azeez Tijani also known as AZ.

Since joining the industry, Azeez has featured in several Yoruba movies, earning recognition for his talent and dedication. His venture into movie production has also gained attention, with his debut production, “Odun Kan”, promising to be a blockbuster. With his growing ambitions, Odumosu is currently planning to shoot a cinematic movie, aiming to leave an indelible mark on the industry.

Balancing his acting career with his thriving business, Awiye Autos Nigeria Limited, Azeez Odumosu exemplifies versatility and determination. As he continues to excel in Nollywood and beyond, fans eagerly anticipate his next projects and entrepreneurial milestones.

Entertainment

Nigerian Thespian Wuraola Olaniran Takes Center Stage

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Nigerian Thespian Wuraola Olaniran Takes Center Stage

Wuraola Olaniran, a versatile actor, scriptwriter, and director, has carved a niche for herself in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. With a degree in English Literature from the University of Ilorin, Wuraola’s passion for acting began at a tender age, blossoming into a successful career.

A Stellar Career

Wuraola’s professional journey commenced in 2015, with her debut screenplay appearance in February 2016. Since then, she has captivated audiences with breathtaking performances in numerous stage and screen productions. Her repertoire includes:

•⁠ ⁠Stage plays: “A Dance of the Forests,” “Life Burial,” “Love Twirls of Aditu and Iyunade,” “Efunsetan Aniwura,” and “Moxie of Afonja.”
•⁠ ⁠Screen productions: “To Kill a Monkey,” “Miracle Center,” “Omije,” “Aiyetoro Town,” and “The Only Celebrity in Nigeria.”
•⁠ ⁠Notable collaborations: Funke Akindele, Sola Sobowale, Toyin Abraham, Femi Adebayo, and Kemi Adetiba.

Directing Credits

Wuraola’s directing credits include:

•⁠ ⁠A Dance of the Forests (Wole Soyinka)
•⁠ ⁠Life Burial (Helen Paul)
•⁠ ⁠KWRS Tax Program (2018)

Upcoming Performance

Catch Wuraola live on stage on November 17th in “Moxie of Aareonakakanfo,” where she will masterfully portray three distinct characters.

Artistic Philosophy

For Wuraola, acting transcends entertainment; it’s a cultural bridge, preserving heritage and uniting diverse audiences. Her dedication to authenticity and immersive storytelling has earned her recognition within the industry.

Entertainment

Mustapha Sholagbade Releases Highly Anticipated Part 2 of “Oko Aunty Mi” on YouTube

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Mustapha Sholagbade Releases Highly Anticipated Part 2 of “Oko Aunty Mi” on YouTube

Following the success of the first installment of *Oko Aunty Mi”, which quickly became one of the most viewed movies on YouTube, producer and actor Mustapha Sholagbade has released the much-anticipated part two. Fans can now catch the continuation of this compelling story on Mustapha Sholagbade TV (Mstvfilms) on YouTube.

The storyline dives deep into the complexities of marriage, exploring the risks of the blame game when mutual understanding and tolerance are lacking. Described as a “unique love literature,” “Oko Aunty Mi” follows the journey of a young couple facing critical challenges in their union. The big question remains: will they uncover the missing element in their marriage, or will they be torn apart by unresolved issues? Find out in the part 2 of the flick.

Featuring a fantastic cast, including Mide Funmi Martins, Allwell Ademola,Yomi Fabiyi, Saidi Balogun, and Sholagbade himself, the movie promises top-notch performances and an unforgettable storyline. “Oko Aunty Mi” Part 2 is now available for streaming, delighting fans with its depth and emotional resonance. Use the link to view the movie for free: