Adunni Ade, a renowned actress in the Nollywood industry, has finally addressed the allegation of owing her late colleague and director, Murphy Afolabi, a sum of N250,000.
The controversy arose when the burial committee of Murphy Afolabi, during the 8-day Fidau Prayer held in his honor, publicly called out Adunni Ade for the refund of the money she allegedly owed the late actor. A video of the incident went viral on social media, sparking widespread attention and speculation.
In response to the allegations, Adunni Ade, through her management, released a public statement to set the record straight. The statement vehemently denied the claims of being indebted to Murphy Afolabi and sought to clarify the situation.
According to the statement, in July 2021, Murphy Afolabi approached Adunni Ade for her services in a movie production. Due to budget constraints, he requested her moral support without being able to afford her professional fee. An agreement was reached for Adunni to participate in 10 scenes, for which she was offered an honorarium of N150,000, which was duly paid on July 2, 2021.
However, unforeseen circumstances arose when Adunni Ade experienced a personal tragedy. Her younger brother passed away, leading to her unavailability for the scheduled production. She reached out to Murphy Afolabi to refund the money and requested his bank details, as she would be traveling to the United States for her brother’s funeral. Murphy Afolabi, in response, asked her to hold onto the money temporarily while he considered rescheduling the shoot or arranging for another opportunity.
In October 2021, Murphy Afolabi contacted Adunni Ade again, seeking her participation in a new project. He offered the same amount of N150,000 as compensation for four days of work. However, Adunni politely declined the offer and promptly refunded the initial payment of N150,000 on the same day.
To substantiate their claims, the statement included proof of both payments made by Adunni Ade to Murphy Afolabi.
The controversy surrounding the alleged debt has caused a stir within the entertainment industry, drawing attention to the intricacies and challenges faced by artists in their professional dealings. Adunni Ade’s response seeks to clarify the situation, presenting her side of the story and providing evidence to refute the claims made against her.
It is important to note that Murphy Afolabi, a respected actor and director, tragically passed away on May 14, 2023, after an accident in his bathroom. The circumstances surrounding his death have added a somber tone to the ongoing discussion surrounding the debt allegation.
As the public awaits further developments, this incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in professional relationships and the need for clear communication and understanding between parties involved in the entertainment industry.