A FEDERAL High Court
sitting in Lagos, yesterday, vacated an interim order which restrained the
premiering and release of Nollywood movie, “Okafor’s Law.” “Okafor’s Law” is a
film produced by actress and director, Omoni Oboli.
Trial judge, Justice
Ibrahim Buba, had on March 24, granted an interim order, stopping the premiere
of “Okafor’s Law” scheduled to hold on the evening of same day. The exparte
order had consequently halted the premiere of “Okafor’s Law” at the IMAX Cinema
in Lagos, as well as suspending its planned release on March 31. The judge had
issued the orders, following an ex-parte motion by a company Raconteur
Production Ltd, on behalf of a Canada based script writer, Mr. Jude Idada,
seeking same reliefs.
Ibrahim Buba, had on March 24, granted an interim order, stopping the premiere
of “Okafor’s Law” scheduled to hold on the evening of same day. The exparte
order had consequently halted the premiere of “Okafor’s Law” at the IMAX Cinema
in Lagos, as well as suspending its planned release on March 31. The judge had
issued the orders, following an ex-parte motion by a company Raconteur
Production Ltd, on behalf of a Canada based script writer, Mr. Jude Idada,
seeking same reliefs.
Defendants in the
suit are: Dioni Visions Entertainment Ltd, Omoni Oboli and The Filmone Ltd. In
a short ruling, yesterday, Justice Ibrahim Buba vacated the interim orders, and
paved way for the release and launch of the film, after entertaining arguments
from both counsel to the plaintiff and defendants. Buba held: “The court shall
resist the temptation of making any pronouncement on the substance of the
matter at this
interlocutory stage. Suffice to say that surely what is
exhibited by the plaintiff is a script “The Bet” and not “Okafor’s Law’’ and so
this court has no doubt that the plaintiff/applicant cannot sustain this
application.
“Even though the applicant moved the court to granting an order exparte, thank
God the side of the defendant is heard. I do not think that on the face of the
counter affidavit, this court will exercise it’s discretion both judicially and
judiciously in granting the motion for interlocutory injunction. “This court is
unable to grant the interlocutory orders sought by the applicant; the prayer is
hereby refused and the interim orders made on March 24, is accordingly
vacated.” Meanwhile, reacting to the court ruling, a jubilant Omoni Oboli
shared a video on her Facebook page where she broke the cheery new. “I am happy
to let you know to the glory of God that an injunction has just been lifted and
Okafor’s Law will start showing in cinemas nationwide from tomorrow (today),”
she enthused.
suit are: Dioni Visions Entertainment Ltd, Omoni Oboli and The Filmone Ltd. In
a short ruling, yesterday, Justice Ibrahim Buba vacated the interim orders, and
paved way for the release and launch of the film, after entertaining arguments
from both counsel to the plaintiff and defendants. Buba held: “The court shall
resist the temptation of making any pronouncement on the substance of the
matter at this
interlocutory stage. Suffice to say that surely what is
exhibited by the plaintiff is a script “The Bet” and not “Okafor’s Law’’ and so
this court has no doubt that the plaintiff/applicant cannot sustain this
application.
“Even though the applicant moved the court to granting an order exparte, thank
God the side of the defendant is heard. I do not think that on the face of the
counter affidavit, this court will exercise it’s discretion both judicially and
judiciously in granting the motion for interlocutory injunction. “This court is
unable to grant the interlocutory orders sought by the applicant; the prayer is
hereby refused and the interim orders made on March 24, is accordingly
vacated.” Meanwhile, reacting to the court ruling, a jubilant Omoni Oboli
shared a video on her Facebook page where she broke the cheery new. “I am happy
to let you know to the glory of God that an injunction has just been lifted and
Okafor’s Law will start showing in cinemas nationwide from tomorrow (today),”
she enthused.
