THE OWL IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When we talk about Marketers behaving badly, we must also not forget that some actors and producers can as well behave alike.

Saheed Balogun, an Icon in the yoruba film industry came to England last year 2008 to produce a Pigin English film coming out very soon from grapevine. On arrival, he told people he did not have enough money to produce this and begged casts to appear in this film on measly remuneration. Some, he did not even give any money to. He then borrowed equipment from several people for the production of this film.

Immediately after the production, he turned around and said thieves stole the borrowed equipment in the boot of the car he used as he left them overnight. He then promised he would pay for some of these equipment. It’s been over a year now and Saheed has not made good his promise.

Below is the story of one of the poor guys he took the equipment from.

OWL:
Hello, could you tell me who you are and why you have contacted us?

EFOSA
My name is Efosa I…….and I live in London. I have decided to contact you after reading about Ms Bukky Amos’s story and the fact that you may be able help me get my money from Saheed Balogun.

OWL
How did this happen ?

EFOSA
Well, I am a Director of Photography, Cameraman and also do other things. I was recording on the set of Mr Makinde Afolabi (Baba Junior) on one of his production Iku Jare Eda when Saheed approached me that I should please loan him my lights. I do not personally know him apart from watching him in films and quite sceptical about giving out my equipments. He pleaded with me but I refused because I use my light regularly for my work.

He then, I believed, he spoke with Mr Makinde who said it was my decision and that he could not influence it. I should have taken the cue from that but then my very good friend, Lady Titi Jacobs (LadyTJ) came to me with Saheed and guaranteed that Saheed would return my lights to me.

You see, I respect her a lot as a Producer and Director and have done many productions with her as her DOP. I am also a member of AMPA which she co-ordinates hence did not hesitate to give these lights to Saheed. About a week later, LadyTJ contacted me to say that Saheed informed her that my lights have been stolen. I was furious.

Saheed then contacted me and told me himself and I was miffed at the fact that he left equipments inside a boot overnight in the South East. He then asked me to do an estimate of how much the lights costs. I gave him the estimate and up till now he has not paid me.

OWL
Have you made any contacts to him and how much is the money?

EFOSA
I estimated my Lights which were 3 redheads and a bigger light as £1,000.
I have made several contacts to Saheed and he would promise me and has not made true his promise. London is not an easy place to live and acquire equipment and it’s unfair that he has refused to pay me. There was a time he came to London, he gave me an appointment and did not turn up. He refuses to pick my calls or Lady TJ’s calls. Please help me to collect my money from him as it’s very unfair how he has treated me. I only did this to help him. Before he took the equipment, he gave me £80 for the week the equipment was going to be with him.

OWL
Thank You. You know we may still have to contact your witness with regards to this?

EFOSA
Yes. You can speak to LadyT J or Mr Makinde. Here are their numbers. Although, I am unsure if they will want to get involved right now that it’s becoming a public thing. But I have been badly treated by him and this is to also tell others who may be in my shoes to be wary of giving out their equipments to people just because they are stars. Although LadyTJ is trying to negotiate its payment, I do not think its fair for her to do it simply because she stood in for Saheed in good faith. I think Saheed should pay me. He has been to London several times after that without any curtsy of even calling LadyTJ who supported him so much with that project.

OWL
Thank You. We will get back to you.

Well, there you are. The Owl decided to follow this through and speak to LadyTJ. Below is what transpired.

Hello LadyTJ, How are you?

LadyTJ
Fine. Never better. What can I do for you?

OWL
Well, I am from Nigeriafilms and would like to ask you a few questions on an allegation against Saheed Balogun by a member of your association. Could you tell me what you know about Mr Efosa and Saheed’s case?

LadyTJ
Well, that’s surprising as I thought Saheed would have made good his promise by now. All I can tell you is that they are both my friends and I stood in for Saheed Balogun to borrow equipment from Mr Efosa for a film that I starred in too.

I think Saheed called me a week later that the equipment got stolen and promised to pay Mr Efosa the cost of the equipment. I also have made frantic efforts to speak to Saheed but the cell phone numbers he gave me are not working. It was very frustrating for me as Mr Efosa uses these equipment for his daily need and difficult for him to replace them. We are still talking between us how to replace them though. Why don’t you call Saheed and enquire from him?

OWL
Yes we will. We are only verifying Me Efosa’s allegation first. But, Do you think Saheed has any intention of paying him?

LadyTJ
I want to believe that Saheed Balogun would pay Mr Efosa this money as anything otherwise would be unfair. I trust he reads this as I know he is a man of integrity.

OWL
Thank You.

Well, we have been unable to get Mr Makinde’s side of the story but at least LadyTJ confirmed that she was a guarantor for Saheed in this matter.

Saheed, like LadyTJ said, you are a man of integrity, please pay up this money or tell us if they have lied.

Until the next culprit, this is the Owl, saying,

WATCH YOUR BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!