Actor Ijoba Lande apologises to Funke Akindele over viral video controversy

Nigerian actor Ijoba Lande publicly apologized to Funke Akindele after a viral edited video misrepresented his earnings on her production.

In an emotional Instagram video, Lande prostrated, begging fans to mediate and fearing legal repercussions from Akindele.

He clarified a slip caused N90k to trend online instead of N190k, stressing no intent to tarnish her.

Lande condemned editors as “wicked,” accusing them of splicing footage to distort his message about fair actor payments.

He emphasized pre-shoot payment agreements, criticizing production managers who allegedly reduce fees without producers’ knowledge, creating industry-wide mistrust.

Recalling Akindele’s 2022 project, Lande revealed initially accepting N190k for a month’s role as a gateman.

Upon discovering his pay, Akindele intervened, upgrading his contract to daily rates of N55k-N65k until project completion.

The actor lamented edited clips erasing context, falsely portraying grievances he never held toward Akindele’s professionalism or generosity.

“Aunty Funke, I’m sorry—no malice intended. Arresting me would ruin my life,” Lande pleaded, desperate to avoid prison.

Akindele remains silent, leaving fans speculating about reconciliation while debates on fair pay and media ethics escalate.

Public backlash erupted as colleagues and fans criticized Lande before his clarification, demanding accountability for misinformation.

Industry peers shared similar payment disputes, highlighting systemic issues where middlemen exploit actors without producers’ awareness.

Lande’s case underscores vulnerabilities actors face, reliant on verbal agreements vulnerable to manipulation by unscrupulous intermediaries.

Akindele, known for empowering talents, now faces scrutiny over payment transparency despite her corrective actions in Lande’s case.

Supporters argue her prompt response to Lande’s pay shows integrity, urging critics to await her official statement.

Legal experts warn defamation lawsuits could arise if edited videos intentionally damage reputations, stressing digital content verification.

Social media users debate responsibility: creators editing content versus platforms allowing unchecked viral misinformation harming careers.

The controversy sparks conversations on ethical media practices, urging audiences to verify sources before amplifying narratives.

As Nollywood grapples with this scandal, stakeholders push for reforms to protect artists from similar exploitation.

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