Funke Akindele and Cassandra Owolabi

By Nimot Adetola Sulaimon

Ace Nollywood actress and film producer, Funke Akindele has responded to allegations made by a former staff member that she overworks them, leaving no time for rest.

A screenwriter, Cassandra Owolabi, had accused the popular actress of physically, emotionally and financially abusing her staff.

She alleged that Funke strictly supervises them and this led her to depression.


”…For instance, we couldn’t watch TV (literally, the TV in our lodge was taken away weeks after we resumed) and she mustn’t walk in on you watching anything on your laptop (can’t tell you how many times she randomly sent people to come to check if we were sleeping or doing anything asides writing)”

”We worked under DURESS AND FEAR. It is always about the script, the script is more important than you and your health” she wrote.

Watch the video below

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A little update: About a month ago, I posted a lengthy video of my experience working with Funke Akindele. But the video was quickly brought down as a bid to shut me up. Naturally as a content creator, my instinct was to make another one right away but I couldn't bring myself to it due to the fact that I touched on a really sensitive topic (depression) and some experiences I passed through while working for her which was like opening old wounds and I needed time to heal from that. I am indeed happy and relieved that I finally got to make another video in which I touched on a few things because truthfully, even if I was given a day I would still not be able to cover all the ills not just me but her staff face daily. The experience has indeed taught me that not all that glitters is gold, literally! Looking back I just wondered how I endured so much when we were deprived of so many things. For instance, we couldn't watch TV (literally, the TV in our lodge was taken away weeks after we resumed) and she mustn't walk in on you watching anything on your laptop (can't tell you how many times she randomly sent people to come check if we were sleeping or doing anything asides writing). I mean, how do you expect your writers to be 100% productive when you don't allow them some leisure time? It didn't take me long to develop bloodshot eyes because there were daysssssssssss when we'd write all through the night, no sleep. We worked under DURESS AND FEAR. It is always about the script, the script is more important than you and your health. P.S – For the few who asked why my character in the YouTube series 'HOUSEHELPS' was replaced, well… Because I chose to leave she asked that I be replaced (no surprises there). #IsurvivedFunkeAkindele #SurvivingFunke #freedom #speakingmytruth

A post shared by Cassandra Owolabi (@khassie_) on

Meanwhile, Funke replied to the allegations, saying that she and her staff play as hard as they work.

“We work so HARD 24/7 and also play hard. Thanks for the hard work. Love you guys!”, she wrote in an Instagram post with a video of she and her staff playing.

 

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😂😂😂😂 chai I play too much #wecrazylikethat #ignoremybelle #ijustchopeba . #mysquadandi we work so HARD 24/7 and also play hard. Thanks for the hard work. Love you guys! @tobimakinde @harbimbolar @officialdambo @dancemachine2020 PS: follow me on tiktok @funkeakindele 😁😁😁

A post shared by Funke Akindele Bello (@funkejenifaakindele) on