Kunle Afolayan Dismisses N5bn Court Case Rumours on Aníkúlápó as False

Renowned filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has dismissed reports circulating on social media that he owes FirstBank ₦5 billion over a loan allegedly taken to finance his 2022 film, Aníkúlápó.

In a video released on Friday, Afolayan described the claim as “nonsense,” stressing that neither he nor his company, Golden Effects Pictures, is indebted to any bank.

“I try not to do this, but for whatever it is worth, and also for those who are well-wishers, friends and family who are really worried about the publication of this nonsense they are spreading around, saying we’re owing ₦5 billion, I really wish,” he said.

Jokingly, he added: “If I see a bank that will give me ₦5 billion, I definitely will take it because I’ll use it for the betterment of the country. But the honest truth is there’s nothing of such.”

Afolayan clarified that Aníkúlápó was a co-production with Netflix, describing the deal as “clear and straightforward” with no outstanding debts. He also denied any litigation involving FirstBank, noting that he maintains a cordial relationship with the institution.

“There is no litigation. FirstBank, we are good friends of the bank. We’ve done collaborations in the past and we’re still doing stuff, but we don’t have any issue of any sort,” he stated.

While hinting that he knows those behind the rumour, Afolayan declined to name them, instead thanking supporters who reached out to him.

“We’re not owing anybody ₦5 billion. Thank you,” he concluded.The rumour, which spread widely on X (formerly Twitter), alleged that Afolayan had defaulted on a ₦5 billion loan secured to produce Aníkúlápó, prompting supposed legal action by FirstBank.

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