Nollywood ‘bad’ boy, Charles Okocha, popularly called Igwe Tupac, has narrated how he was almost killed after a policeman shot him at close range in Asaba, Delta State.
Recalling the experience in a chat with Sun newspaper, Igwe Tupac said: “This is something I really don’t want to talk about because I went through a whole lot. It all happened sometime in December 2015 at Asaba, Delta State.
“I was at an occasion when my phone rang and I stepped outside to take the call.
“As I was talking, I saw two guys standing by an Autobiography Range Rover. They were waving and hailing me. I realised they were my fans so after taking my call, I went to meet them and we exchanged pleasantries and then got talking.
“One of the guys pointed at the white Range Rover and said ‘Igwe Tupac, this is my jeep. I just bought it. It is an Autobiography Range Rover. I am getting married in three days time. Igwe Tupac, what will it take for you to attend my wedding?’ I was like ‘congrats but we can’t talk here. Let us exchange numbers’.
“While that was going on, a gun totting policeman came out of the compound and joined us. Probably he had been watching me all the while at the event. He barged into us and was like ‘oh boy, I like this guy’s film’.
“He was obviously a fan, so I felt compelled to listen to him. He kept blabbing that he had all my films. At a point, I was beginning to get tired, so I stepped aside. But he came right after me and said ‘bros, na you I de talk to. Okay, let me throway one for you, to salute you. I be one of your biggest fans’.
“Before I knew it, he had cocked his gun and fired into the air. I almost went deaf from the gunshot.
However, he was probably drunk and lost control of his rifle, which was in rapid mode. The guy who was getting married in three days’ time was hit in the ribs but he didn’t know. His friend was asking him, ‘were you shot?’
He said no but he was wrong! He had a bullet in the ribs and he died a shot while after. Sadly, that was the end of his marriage plans.
“I never even knew I had been shot at that point in time but later I found out that my intestines were sticking out, and I passed out.”
Igwe Tupac added that immediately he was shot, he was rushed to the hospital and doctors extracted five bullets from his abdomen and another from his leg. After spending two months in intensive care, he was finally discharged.
“It’s a miracle that I survived at all. It was by the sheer grace of God. Five bullets pierced my abdomen and another one hit my leg and yet I survived, but the guy who was getting married took one bullet and died. I have only God to thank for this new lease of my life.
“These days when I see policemen bearing guns, I become wary and scared. Who wouldn’t be after going through what I went through?
“I have been to a couple of occasions lately and when I see gun totting cops around me, I become very cautious, sometimes even hostile. I just have to protect myself,” he said.
Against stiff competition, Biola Alabi’s movie, ‘Banana Island Ghost’, B.I.G, has soared to the top, grossing N35 million in its opening week in the Nigerian box office that saw the release of two Hollywood blockbusters, ‘Dark Tower’, a Steven King bestseller, starring Idris Alba and Matthew McConaughey, and ‘Girls Trip’ starring Jada Pinkett and Queen Latifa.
The audiences across the country overwhelmingly thronged the cinema houses to see the Nollywood fantasy, action-comedy blockbuster – Banana Island Ghost. The movie premiered recently at Harbour Point Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Amidst other great home grown choices like Alter Ego starring Nollywood superstar Omotala Jalade Ekeinde, and Hakkunde, Banana Island Ghost (B.I.G) found its spot at number 1.
Of the news, Executive Producer – Biola Alabi said, “We are extremely proud of the audience response thus far. Convincing people to leave their homes and give you their hard earned money is never easy. There’s still a lot to do in order to make our investors happy.”
Industry experts are predicting that Banana Island Ghost will continue to sellout cinema screens and remain number one all through the Sallah holiday in August and well into September. This is expected even as Nigerians continue to choose Nollywood over big Hollywood pictures.
When asked to comment on the impressive results, the Writer/Director BB Sasore said “Frankly, Thirty-Five million naira is humbling. To see so many people respond well to something you created is satisfying. I know how hard my cast and crew worked to achieve the quality we did, and I think that is what Nigerians are reacting to. Picture quality, visual effects, and great comedy, all tied up in a Nigerian story made 100% by Nigerians.” Part of the success of the film seems to come from its innovative use of social media and strong word of mouth.
Popular actor, Jude Orhorha, has revealed that many actors in the Nigerian movie industry, globally known as Nollywood, are gays and gigolos.
The Fuji House of Commotion told Punch that most of the entertainers making waves today gained prominence via the acts.
Orhorha said he had been approached by cougars and gays in the industry severally.
He said, “I know what some actors and actresses did to gain the fame that they are enjoying now. Some of the men in the industry are gay while the women sleep around and that is why I am not bothered about where I am today.
“When it is your time, it is your time. Some entertainers are opportunist while others are born lucky. Omotola was born lucky from day one; her first character was a lead role.
“Some people marry for money and not love. That is why I am not really bothered because some of the guys are gigolos.
“They do not make their money from the movie industry but from the gigolo business. I cannot do such because I have a name to protect. In the 80s when I started this business, none of them was anywhere to be found. I have seen it all and I refuse to join them.
“Gays have approached me but I declined their offers because my anus is an exit point and not an entrance. The same thing with sugar mummies but I refused to accept their proposal because I cannot sleep with married women. I believe in karma. If it does not happen to you, it would happen to your generation.”
Background
Ours was a big family, so I had fun growing up. My dad was a ‘super - dad ;’ and my mum was also an amazing parent . Together , they gave us the best .
Beauty pageants
At the university , I was active and participated in almost all the social activities on campus . I became a campus queen ; Miss U. S . T and first runner- up in the Niger - Delta pageant.
Acting
I became interested in acting when I was in secondary school. I was a member of the drama society and acting was something that came naturally to me . I have always wanted to become an actor; it was my childhood ambition. However , my parents wanted me to do something else. As far as they were concerned, any course was okay by them as long as it would get me a white- collar job . Because I knew I couldn’ t study theatre arts , I went for secretarial studies. Afterwards , I became a full- time actress and I now have their support .
Movies
The first movie I acted in was Girls Hostel. The movie featured the likes of Olu Jacobs, Ngozi Ezeonu, Uche Jombo and Empress Njamah. The first person that gave me an opportunity in the movie industry is Nobert Ajaegbu . I’ ve lost count of the number of movies that I ’ve acted in . I might also not be in every movie like some of my colleagues but I ’ve done several movies and they are so much that I have lost count.
Challenges
There is the challenge of getting roles based on your talent and not on the basis of your relationship with the producer . Sometimes, you’d attend auditions , and realise everybody knew you killed the role but that ’ s not a guarantee that you would be chosen to play the role . Meanwhile, there are a thousand other desperate actors willing to go the extra mile to get the role . Initially , all I wanted to do was take every script just to get my face out there but right now , I want to do a movie because it appeals to me . The script has to have a message and only a good one gets me.
Talent
It is the same way you are woken up from a deep slumber and asked to write . You immediately begin to build up the body of your story by adding flesh to it. When it comes to getting into character for a movie role , you need to soak yourself in the script and create the character. If I have the opportunity, I ’ll like to play the role of a sniper. I ’m versatile and I have played virtually every role but you never can tell with directors , so I’ m open to every nice role . However, I cannot act nude .
Personal productions
I have shot about seven movies. Husband Shopping was my debut as a producer . Others are IMA , The View , Bedfellers, Sandcastle and two others whose names I can ’t remember now . The challenges are almost always the same . Funding is a major challenge . There is also no proper and sustainable channel of distribution.
Fame
Being a celebrity has humbled me in so many ways. From the onset , I set out to be original , true to myself and strive for the best at all times .
Fashion
I’ m fashionable and my style can be defined as simple and classy . My favourite fashion accessories are my wristwatches and sunglasses.
Hobbies
I like to see a movie and I also love to read at my leisure time . I like to be relaxed and I love to cook . I ’m also a good dancer and singer . w
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