Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli has made a threat to Ghanaian TV stations over copyright infringement of Nollywood YouTube movies.
In a lengthy post on her Instagram page, she said that despite loving her Ghanaian besties, it’s shameful that Ghanaian TV stations have become terrestrial with Nigerian movies. Omoni noted that her movie Twin Deception, which she released on her YouTube channel on Friday, was shown by TV stations the same Friday.
The filmmaker threatened to report them to their president as she called their actions a disgrace.
“I love my Ghanaian besties. I really do. Ghanaians are our cousins, and cousins don’t fight. We banter, but at the end of the day, it’s all love. You see this issue of Terrestrial Ghanaian TV stations showing out movies, it’s utterly shameful. My movie TWIN DECEPTION, released on my YouTube channel on Friday, was shown by TV stations the same Friday! I’m going straight to the Ghanaian President this time. Cos, this is now a disgrace!
Yesterday was my birthday, and I was having a chilled day at home, so I didn’t want to address this. The truth is, I have been working behind the scenes with some Ghanaian agencies to end this menace once and for all, but now it’s quite obvious that some people don’t even understand that it’s actual theft.
You are not promoting my film if you rip it off my YouTube channel (without licensing and permission) and show it on your TV station. You are stealing from me for your own personal gain. Do you get it now? There’s no world in which that is a good thing. It’s actually punishable by law.
So since it’s gotten to this stage, I believe Mr President @officialjdmahama, sir, with all due respect, sir, it’s time to weigh in. This has become an international embarrassment.
PS: I love my Ghanaian family, and I know you love me too. Let’s keep the love flowing. “
Last month, Omoni’s movie, Love In Every Word which had over 7 million views, was removed from YouTube due to copyright issues.
In a follow-up post, Omoni revealed that the movie was back on YouTube. She disclosed that there was a little misunderstanding with her movie, but it was sorted out. She expressed gratitude for the love and concern.
Omoni has undoubtedly come a long way in the industry and has made her mark as one of the filmmakers in Nollywood.
Last year, after 5 years of being away from the Cinema, Omoni made a return with The Uprising which grossed over N93 million within a week and became the number-one Nollywood film of the weekend.
Also, last year, Omoni had tooted her horns, after her 2019 movie, Last Year Single, made waves on Netflix despite it being years since it was released. She noted how her movie was still the number-one show on Netflix in Nigeria.
