Ini Edo, the actress, and Chinenye Nworah, the film producer, are at loggerheads over the rights to ‘Shanty Town’.
The crime thriller series, which has six episodes, debuted on Netflix on January 20, 2023.
The series features a stellar cast of Chidi Mokeme, Edo, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Sola Sobowale, Nancy Isime, Shaffy Bello, and Ali Nuhu, among others.
Edo and Nworah both had their names as the executive producers of the series.
After ‘Shanty Town’ became a hit, Netflix was said to have ordered a second season. The streaming platform was also said to have been in talks on story, budget and cast since last year.
But in a leaked cease-and-desist letter sent by Edo’s lawyers to Netflix on January 15, the actress claimed to be a co-owner and a right holder of the project.
In the letter, the actress said she entered into a co-production deal with Nworah and another partner named Joy Odiete on December 13, 2019.
Edo said they all agreed to produce five movies in 10 years.
The actress asked the streaming giant to stop negotiations with Nworah and Giant Creative Media on the possible second season.
“Our client has learnt that Netflix is currently negotiating a sequel to the film – Shanty Town with Ms Chinenye Nworah and Giant Creative Media Limited (GCM) without our client’s consent, knowledge or waiver as co-owners of the rights to the work Shanty Town,” the legal document says.
“We inform you that Ms Chineye Nworah and GCM are not the only owners of the rights to the film Shanty Town.
“Our clients are also owners of the rights and have not given Mrs Chineye Nworah and GCM the authority, permission or approval to discuss any sequel with Nexflix on their behalf.”
In response to Edo’s co-ownership claim, Nworah in a statement, said she is the “only creator and only right owner of Shanty Town”.
Nworah’s Giant Creative Media Limited (GCM) called the actress’ claim “untrue, baseless and without merit”.
“We state that all rights, including but not limited to copyright, trademarks, and any other rights, related to SHANTY TOWN, belong only to our creative director, Chinenye Nworah through Giant Creative Media,” the statement says.
