Actor Ijoba Lande has issued a public apology to filmmaker Funke Akindele following backlash from fans and colleagues over a controversial video discussing his past earnings, which went viral.
In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram on Friday, the actor prostrated before the camera, pleading for forgiveness and asking the public to help him reconcile with Akindele. “Please help me. Don’t let me end up in jail. Help me beg Funke Akindele,” he said.
Ijoba Lande clarified that the viral video had been edited to misrepresent his original words. He explained that while he initially mentioned N190,000, a slip of the tongue led to the N90,000 figure gaining attention. “The video people are sharing was edited. That’s not how I originally recorded it. I never had any intention to tarnish her image. She didn’t wrong me,” he stated.
The actor expressed frustration over the way his words were manipulated and called those responsible for editing the video “wicked.” He urged Akindele not to pursue legal action, fearing it could ruin his life. “When I was explaining that it was N90,000, you cut the video and joined it together. It was not N90,000 from the start, and I explained in the video that it was a mistake — I meant ₦190,000, not N90,000,” he said.
Ijoba Lande further explained the context of his remarks, stating that he was discussing the importance of actors agreeing on payment terms before accepting roles. He used his experience working with Akindele in 2022 on the set of My Siblings and I as an example. Initially, he was paid N90,000 for a month of work, but after a conversation with Akindele, his pay was increased. “She asked how much I was being paid, and I told her. She then said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ and I replied that I thought she was aware,” he recounted.
He reiterated that his comments had been misinterpreted and taken out of context. “Now you went ahead to cut out the part where I said N90,000, even though I clearly stated in the video that it was a mistake.”
In his final plea, Ijoba Lande begged Akindele for forgiveness, emphasizing that he held no ill will towards her. “Aunty Funke, I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I have nothing against you, and I don’t want any trouble with you either,” he said. “If you decide to arrest me, it means you just want to send me to prison because I’m not fighting you. Please, I’m begging you.”