‘You’ll be arrested if you pirate my film’ – Actress Funke Akindele speaks out

Renowned Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele has issued a firm warning against pirating her upcoming movie, ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’.  

In a video shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday, the 47-year-old actress appealed to fans to refrain from recording her movie while watching it in cinemas.

She emphasized that piracy is a severe crime that undermines the hard work and livelihoods of filmmakers and actors.

Akindele also disclosed that cinemas have implemented strict security measures to deter piracy.

She warned that anyone caught recording the movie or distributing unauthorized content online would face arrest and legal consequences.

In her message, she encouraged fans to support her efforts by taking pictures with the movie’s promotional standees, sharing trailers and teasers, and encouraging others to watch ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ in cinemas.

Her words: “Don’t be scared, I’m fine. But if you go to the cinema to see the movie Everybody Loves Jenifa and you bring out your phone or any device you have to film it, then I will not be fine.

“I know you got mad love for me as my fans; I know you respect me so much; I know you want to support me; I know you want to promote Everybody Loves Jenifa, but you filming it is not you supporting me.

“Do not upload on your social media account. Don’t bring out your phone. No recording. If you want to support me, go to the cinema, take pictures by the stands, and post my trailer and the teasers of the movie, and I will be fine.

“The act of filming it on the screen is piracy. We must not encourage piracy. We are taking up serious security measures to arrest anyone that does that. I love my fans so much. Don’t be caught doing it because it is killing us. It is not helping our brand. We need to grow more than this. We spent a lot of money on that project ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’.”

The new movie features a star-studded cast, including Omowunmi Dada, Nancy Isime, Falz, Stan Nze, and Jackie Appiah.