The controversy stems from separate claims by the actors over past collaborations. BrandIconImage reports that Okunnu had publicly accused Olasco Films of pocketing all the proceeds from a movie he produced for him 16 years ago, insisting that he had not forgiven Olasco for the perceived wrongdoing.
In a related matter, Austin Emmanuel alleged that both Olasco Films and his associate, Toymax Films, had blacklisted him in the industry. Emmanuel, who has been absent from the screen for several years, also accused Toymax of being involved with his girlfriend, Aisha Raji.
Speaking in an interview with actor Tunde Ola-Yusuf, Olasco Films dismissed the allegations and defended his past support for both actors, describing them as ungrateful. He highlighted that he had given Okunnu N2 million to produce the movie in question, at a time when production costs ranged between N700,000 and N1 million.
“Okunnu is like a blind man using a walking stick, and when he regained his sight, he threw away the walking stick that was guiding him when he was blind. That’s who he is, to say he worked for me without pay,” Olasco said.
On Austin Emmanuel, he added, “Austin wants to trend with my name. I assisted him in advertising the very movie that made him famous in my films, so he is an ingrate.”
The statements have reignited discussion around professional gratitude and accountability within the Nigerian film industry, with fans and industry insiders weighing in on both sides of the dispute.