Scriptwriter threatens to sue ‘Lahira’ director over ‘film credit, half pay’

John Attah, the scriptwriter, has threatened to take legal action against Peter Fada, the director of ‘Lahira‘, over “film credit.”

Film credit is the acknowledgment of the hard work and skills of both on-screen and behind-the-scenes personnel and consists of many specialists who perform a wide range of tasks to create movies.

In March, Africa Magic unveiled ‘Lahira,’ a film chronicling the Nigerian military’s fight against insurgency in the north-east.

‘Lahira’ was produced by Justice Atigogo and directed by Fada. It debuted on African Magic in April.

In a letter, dated May 8, 2023, and addressed to Africa Magic and the army, Attah claimed he was never given the screen credit as the writer of the movie as agreed.

He also alleged that Fada made a half payment for the job, as against their contractual agreement, and that all efforts to get the balance have been abortive.

Attah demanded that “Africa Magic, Showmax and other affiliating channels immediately cease and desist from airing this movie until there is an amicable settlement.”

The scriptwriter added the letter is a “pre-action notice” to all parties of an intended legal action against Fada for the “breach of the contract” expected to be remedied within seven days.

“We act as and instructions we write. Our client briefed us and we believed same to be true that on the 14th of January 2020, he entered into a legal contract with Mr Peter Fada Osiughwu. which they tagged the “Writers Agreement,”” the letter reads in part.

“By the content of the said contract, Mr. Fada engaged the services of our client. Mr. Edeh John Attah, a renowned scriptwriter to write the script for the movie ‘Lahira’.

“Our client diligently executed the job with the highest level of professionalism and submitted to Mr. Fada the full script of the movie with the view that he will at least get screen credit as the writer of the movie which would have boasted the career of our client as was the provision of clause 8 of the “Writers Agreement” he had entered with the producer.

“To the dismay of our client, he was never given the screen credit as the writer of the movie as both parties initially contracted.

“Also, our client was only paid 50% of the agreed fee and all effort to get the producer to pay up the balance for the job has been abortive.

“Therefore, by the reason of this letter, we are bringing it to the attention of the Nigerian Army, the official sponsors of the movie the level of unprofessional and breach of contract that has been exhibited Mr Fada, subsequently we are demanding that Africa Magic, Showmax and other affiliating channels immediately cease and desist from airing this movie until there is an amicable settlement.

“This letter also serves as pre-action notice, notifying all parties of our intention to commence legal action against Mr Fada for the breach of the contract he duly entered with our client and for his failure to pay up the balance he owe our client: we will be seeking remedies and pecuniary damages from the court of law Mr. Fada does not remedify this situation within the next seven days.”