Toyin Abraham: Why I featured Emeka Ike in ‘Malaika’ after his 13-year hiatus
Toyin Abraham, the Nollywood producer, has opened up about casting Emeka Ike, the actor who has been off-screen for 13 years, in ‘Malaika’, her latest movie.
‘Malaika’ premiered in Lagos on December 17. It is scheduled to make its theatrical debut on December 22.
In an interview with TVC, Abraham said she actively sought out Ike for the role, with the help of her manager.
She said she felt he deserved a second chance even if he had made mistakes over a decade ago.
She added that she was not afraid to take the risk because she saw him in the role.
“I have been talking to Uncle Emeka since last year, I know he has been off for a long time, everything we heard; then obviously I was not as big as this so I sent him a message,” she said.
“My manager Otunba Seun got his number for me and I said come back and he said ‘what if’…everything that happened,’ I said do not worry even if you did it you have suffered enough, 13 years, it is okay, it is fine.
“I am not saying you did, I was not there but even if you did it is okay, 13 years. I do not mind taking risks, it does not matter because I see you in this role because I feel everybody deserves a second chance. It is okay.”
Ike recently revealed why he left acting and the challenges he faced in his first marriage.
The actor alleged that Suzanne Emma, his ex-wife, caused him to lose millions of naira in property over allegations of abuse.
