Around and about Moviedom in one week

Bail For Nollywood Actor Accused Of Rape
Notabe Nollywood actor, Armstrong Moses, who was accused in June of having carnal knowledge of a minor, has been granted bail by a court in Uyo for the sum of N5 million.

The Uyo-based actor and former aide to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, was first arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Uyo on June 17, but the case was struck out after the Magistrate, Samuel Ukoima, ruled that the matter was not properly filed.

Tony Umez

In a Facebook post, which he made upon his return home, the actor who got home to a rousing welcome by family members, friends and colleagues noted that he is not a rapist.

He wrote: “Nothing Pass God. If you believe, you will receive. Nothing Pass God. I did not rape anybody. I don’t rape. I have never raped, and I will never rape.”

The actor also thanked friends and colleagues for organising a rousing welcome party for him. “I am back stronger and better. I am happy I went to prison; God went with me. The experience was awesome. You will hear it soon. Blessings to all of you Angels that believed in me,” he also wrote.

Star of Ayanma, Okon Goes To School, Abuja Connection, Edikan and Dangerous Blind Man, the Akwa Ibom state-born actor who was suspended by the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) following the rape allegation, joined the industry a little near two and half decades ago.

Glamour Girl Actor, Barbara Odoh Rebrands
BARELY a year after she announced her return to the silver screen, veteran actress, Barbara Odoh, best known as Helen in the Nollywood classic, Glamour Girls, has officially changed her names. Odoh, also a gospel singer who gained critical acclaim playing Helen in the very successful two-part 1994 film, Glamour Girls starring Liz Benson, Ngozi Ezeonu, Eucharia Anuobi, Zack Orji, and others, said she would want to be addressed henceforth as Oluwadarasimi Chiamaka Chukwu, even as all former documents will remain valid.

No reason was given for the change of name, which the actress published on a national daily. But sources say that the change may not be unconnected with her newfound faith.

“Our sister (Barbara) is now born again and so I am guessing that the change of name is a kind of rebranding for her,’’ hinted a source.

Odoh made name as an actress in the early years of Nollywood appearing in major hits of that era. The actress has not been active in the film industry since she last featured in House Party released in 2004. She returned to the turf in 2021 and featured in a film titled Omije Oloore. The film was shot predominantly in Yoruba and also stars Ireti Osayemi, Ayo Badmus, Sola Fosudo, and Victor Oyebode aka Boy Alinco.

That MC Oluomo Car Gift To Igwe Olaiya
IT is no longer news that notable socialite Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, recently gifted Nollywood actor and filmmaker Ebun Oloyede popularly called Olaiya Igwe a car—Mercedes Benz. A viral video shared by MC Oluomo’s son, King Westt, on August 10, had revealed MC Oluomo handing the actor the key of a GLK350 Mercedes Benz.

The video also revealed the stunned actor yelled out in surprise and prostrated before the former NURTW chairman in Lagos, now chairman of the Lagos State Parks Management Committee, in what observers describe as an honest show of appreciation.

In a message accompanying the video, King Westt wrote, “My dad surprised actor Olaiya with a new Benz. It’s actually good to be good. See how he pushed him. When you are loyal, you will always get what belongs to you.”

Tongues have been wagging since the actor received the car gift. Most people say that they didn’t like the fact that the actor had to roll on the floor and prostrated to appreciate MC Oluomo.

“How can he be prostrating for someone that he is older than,” charged a fan on Instagram.

“Thank you and prayer from Olaiya to MC Oluomo should just have been okay and not rolling on the floor for a man you are older than charged another.”

But some of Olaiya Igwe’s fans and colleagues, including the actress Jaiye Kuti, have risen in defense of the Ogun State-born actor. They maintained that there is nothing wrong with showing appreciation for a kind gesture.

In the words of Jaiye Kuti, “there is something we call unexpected kindness and if God makes you receive unexpected kindness, the way you will show appreciation will make people think you are mad. If a young child buys me a house when I least expect it, I will roll on the floor too. I pray God blesses me with unexpected kindness.”

Ignore The Fake News, Tony Umez Is Alive
There was confusion all over Nollywood this week over the veracity of a blog post, which suggested that the busy and notable Nollywood actor, Tony Umez, had passed on.

What heightened the confusion was that at the time of the ‘fake post’, the tall and well-built Tony Umez could not be reached on his direct lines. He was said to be on a movie set at the time and those who are close to him hinted that as a rule, the Ogidi, Anambra State-born actor puts off his phones when he is busy on set.

So, fans, colleagues and associates made calls to some of the cast members that were believed to be on set with him. A confirmation came minutes after that the actor who was raised in Lagos was not “just alive, but he was alive and well.”

Star of the critically acclaimed Nollywood movie Died Wretched, Umez has featured in countless Nollywood movies, including The Princess, Pains, Demons In Law and My First Love.