Nollywood actress Adunni Ade has finally addressed the accusations of owing her late colleague and director, Murphy Afolabi, a sum of N250,000.
The allegations surfaced during the 8-day Fidau Prayer held in Lagos to honor the late actor’s memory, with the video of the burial committee’s plea for the refund going viral on social media.
Responding to the allegations, Adunni Ade, through a statement issued by her media aide Aderemi Adeleye, refuted the claims and provided a detailed account of the situation.
She clarified that she had received an honorarium of N150,000, not her usual professional fee, for her participation in a movie production initiated by Murphy Afolabi. The actress also stated that she promptly returned the money to the filmmaker.
In support of her claims, Adunni Ade shared a screenshot as proof of payment made in October 2021.
The statement issued on her behalf reads, “On behalf of popular Nollywood Actor and Content Creator, the unassuming Adunni Adewale, aka Adunni Ade, we write to set the record straight regarding a video making the rounds in which our Client was called out by a Muslim Cleric with claims of her owing the late Actor/Producer, Mr. Murphy Afolabi. The allegation is false.”
She expressed her disappointment with the timing of the accusations and emphasized the need to respect the memory of the late actor.
Adunni Ade asserted that she had never cheated Murphy Afolabi during his lifetime and would not engage in any dishonest behavior, even in the afterlife. She concluded by extending her heartfelt condolences and wishing his soul eternal rest.
The actress went on to provide a detailed timeline of events, revealing that in July 2021, Murphy Afolabi approached her to participate in a self-funded movie production.
Due to budget constraints, he informed her that he couldn’t afford her professional fee but requested her moral support. Adunni Ade agreed to join the project under the condition that she would be required for 10 scenes in a single day.
Tragically, on July 11, 2021, just before the production was set to begin, Adunni Ade experienced the loss of her younger brother. As a result, she contacted Murphy Afolabi a few days later, explaining her situation and requesting his bank account details to initiate a refund.
She informed him that she would be traveling to the United States for her brother’s funeral and to spend time with her grieving family.
However, Murphy Afolabi suggested that she hold onto the money while he determined whether to reschedule the shoot or arrange for another project.
Adunni Ade returned to Lagos at the end of September 2021, awaiting Murphy Afolabi’s call. On October 8, 2021, he reached out and proposed a new project, offering her the lead role for the same amount of N150,000.
Respecting her own principles, Adunni Ade declined the offer, but promptly transferred the full refund of N150,000 to Murphy Afolabi’s bank account on the same day. The actress provided evidence of both payments in the form of attached documents.
It was previously reported by Talkglitz that Murphy Afolabi tragically passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023, after falling in his bathroom. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors pronounced him dead, leaving the Nigerian entertainment industry in a state of shock and mourning.
As the controversy surrounding the debt allegations between Adunni Ade and Murphy Afolabi’s burial committee unfolds, the public awaits further updates and hopes for a resolution that respects the memory of the late actor while providing clarity on the matter.
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