Contrary to rumours that he is no longer
as active as he used to be on the screen, popular Yoruba comic actor,
Babatunde Omidina, aka Baba Suwe, says he has not quit acting yet.
Even the time spent by the actor in a
rigorous legal battle with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has
not been enough to sap him of the will and energy to continue doing what
he loves best.
As a matter of fact, Baba Suwe has just
released a new film. Shot about four months ago and titled ‘Afa Nla’,
the movie, which is subtitled in English, has virtually turned him into a
preacher of sorts.
“The focus is on religion and hypocrisy.
The film is about those who profess to be true Muslims and Christians,
whereas they are in actual fact very far from God. Some people in this
country claim to be good Muslims and Christians, yet they cannot make a
promise and keep it,” the actor, who is well known for his huge sense of
humour, tells our correspondent in a telephone interview on Thursday.
Although he does not mention it, it is likely that the movie is based on the actor cum producer’s personal experience.
Two years ago, a Lagos High Court Judge,
Justice Yetunde Idowu ordered the NDLEA to pay the sum of N25m to Baba
Suwe for illegally keeping him in detention over suspicion of hard drug
ingestion.
Not satisfied with the verdict, the
agency appealed against it at the Lagos Court of Appeal. The appellate
court set aside the judgment on the pretext that the money awarded to
the actor by the lower court was excessive.
Baba Suwe kicked against the court’s
verdict and led by his lawyer, the late Bamidele Aturu, he decided to
head for the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the lawyer gave up the ghost
before the notice of appeal could come up at the apex court.
Asked if the matter has been finally
sorted out or if he is still interested in pressing charges against the
anti-drug agency, Baba Suwe says, “I have decided to leave the matter in
the hands of God. Only God can judge between me and the agency.”
He notes that since the death of his lawyer, he has not been not been paid a kobo from the money awarded to him.
The comedian lost his wife, Omoladun,
about seven years ago and he has not remarried ever since. Recalling the
sad event, he says, “I miss her terribly because I loved her so much.”
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