By IFECHI OKOH                                 

Just as it is happening in politics, sports, academics and others, there also exist certain cliques regarded as mafias in Nollywood. They are simply the powerful unofficial opinion moulders in the industry. They know that their decision is law and their fellow operators too know and have been respecting them over the years. Today, we are parading five celebrated Mafia groups in Nollywood whose strong grip and influence on fellow Nollywoodians cannot be denied. These mafia bunch have been determining what goes on in both English and Yoruba movie circles. Their fraternity with certain groups depends on their tribal, financial and professional artistry. Here, is the line-up of the Nollywood “strong men” regarded as Mafians by their ability to control effectively not only the industry itself, but also personalities involved. The five Mafians who head the various, daring and powerful cliques are the Ejiro clique, Amata clique, The Idumota clique (Igbo), The Idumota clique (Yoruba) and  The Upper Iweka, Onitsha clique.                                           

THE EJIRO CLIQUE

This two-man powerful clique, headed by Zeb Ejiro, used to be firmly supported by late Chico Ejiro, his younger brother who was a force to reckon with in Nollywood till he died in the year, 2020. Both used to decide, mostly, the fate of celebrated actors and actresses who swarmed their Surulere offices. Their natural abilities to churn out box office productions shot them very high in the estimation of fellow movie packagers. Luckily for them, people were rushing to appear in their productions. The marketers, too, were not left out in the race to associate with them. The attendant picture created as a result, tipped them as kingmakers in Nollywood. They enjoyed all the attention and razzmatazz until death suddenly closed up on Chico few years ago. His death rubbed off psychologically on Zeb and his morale nose-dived, impacting seriously his creative resilience and zest. Hence, till date, activities from Zeb's end have been on the low ebb. That is why he is no longer in contention.                                      

THE AMATA CLIQUE

Ironically, this theatre-inclined family has Zack Amata as the eldest of them all. A retired University don, he used his expertise to push the Amata group to higher heights. Funny enough, nobody saw him doing anything. His younger brother, Fred, was always seen in the forefront, acting in the interest of the Amata family. So everything done was obviously in favour of family members and those close to them. Prominent members of the clique were Zack Orji, Liz Benson and Regina Asika. Over the years, they held sway and enjoyed Nollywood while the fun lasted.                        

THE IDUMOTA CLIQUE (IGBO)

There was no particular leader of this mainly Igbo wealthy clique stationed in Lagos. It is on good source that when they sneezed, celebrities and other upcoming actors and actresses catch cold because of their financial muscle which actually made them tin gods by any definition.   They also wielded such in their relationship with those coming for productions on regular basis. As a matter of fact, most producers and directors strived pretty hard to be in their good books always.                                         

THE IDUMOTA CLIQUE (YORUBA)

Just like their Igbo counterparts, they hold sway in the Yoruba Nollywood concern. Their members include Aina Kusoro of Highwaves Productions, Alloy Productions, Sedan Abeleje, Bayo Adewusi of the Bayowa Film Productions and other big-time mafians. All of them are headed by Corporate Picture’s Abudullahi. Unless you are in their good books, you will be side lined and frustrated out of the industry, unwittingly.                                          

THE UPPER IWEKA, ONITSHA CLIQUE 

This across-the-bridge clique is as powerful and is worshipped like the ones in Lagos.  Their wish is law for others. The mafia group is headed by Ossy Okeke of Ossy Affason Productions. All members hold him in high esteem because most of them trained under him and this makes their reverence is understandable. He is arguably the richest of them all.  Another explosive package will come your way next week.