Compass Entertainment met Jim Iyke on Monday with the expectation to see him with a swollen face and scars following allegations that he was beaten... in Kastina State. But to our amazement his face was as smooth as silk.
Jim was last rumored to have had the beating of his life in Kastina. He was said to have jilted the daughter of a powerful politician, and paid the price with a lot slaps.
‘What happened took place in Ekiti and I was not roughened, not to talk of being beaten. There was this girl whose name I don’t remember now who called me for a film while I was in Abuja. I told her I couldn’t do it because I didn’t know her pedigree. Film making is no longer about money for me. It is about making a statement and adding value. We ended the conversation and Charles Oworom called to tell me that he was going to be on set and direct the movie. So I gave in and decided to go to Ekiti, the location of the movie. They did not even have enough money, I decided to collect N600, 000 after so much pleas. I got to the set and told the lady that I had to go to Huston Texas in two days and“requested that my scenes be shot within the two days and told her to let me refund her money if she was not satisfied. She told me no problem and promised to work by that schedule. When we started, we all realized that things were not in place.
She was a lousy writer and a bad actress. She was devoid of acting talent really. So, I began to complain and told her to let Empress Njamah or Uche Obodo take the place of the lead actress while she take one of their positions. She said no and would start to cry if you changed any of the lines. I decided to leave the scene and go to America because the movie projects there are things I wouldn’t leave for 10 Nollywood movies. That was when she told one Corporal James stationed on the location by the ADC of the governor that was believed to be behind the movie to stop me. The corporal stood in front of the car and started arguing with my driver and PA. I did not even say anything all through the argument.
It was when the argument turned into a shouting match that the police station beside the location invited us in and asked us what happened. We explained and they called Ejike Asiegbu of AGN who advised that I wait behind and shoot the two connecting scenes before I left. I did and left the location with 15 un-shot scenes. Anybody who sees the movie would bear me witness that it was a lousy film. She should have undergone some tutelage with experienced hands.
Even the ADC spoke with me on phone and offered me more money, offered to buy me another ticket and escort me to the airport if I waited behind to complete the movie. I refused because of the America engagement. So, I left. Nobody even pulled any gun, so I don’t understand where the story came out from. How can anybody pull a gun at me to shoot a movie?
I will never shoot the movie if such a thing happens. You can confirm from Empress or Uche Obodo if there was any trace of lie in what I’ve just told you. Nobody rough-handled me, beat me or pulled a gun at me in Ekiti not to talk of Kastina that I’ve never been to.' Jim explained.