Veteran Yoruba actor, director, and producer Sunny Alli has sparked a fresh debate after boldly dismissing one of Nigeria's most controversial beliefs: money rituals. In a recent interview on the YouTube programme Oyinmomo, Alli explained why he does not believe in money rituals despite their popularity in Nollywood movies, and why he will never write witchcraft scenes again.
Alli Questions the Logic of Money Rituals
According to the veteran actor, he has repeatedly asked believers one simple question that they have never been able to answer convincingly. 'I always say I do not believe in money rituals because I once asked them a question,' he said. 'They said a demon brings money. Does the demon have a printing machine? Will it steal money from the Central Bank of Nigeria or a Bureau de Change?'
Alli noted that whenever people fail to answer those questions, they simply invent another explanation. 'I asked them, and they were confused, so they came up with another myth that the money comes through a contract that the person did not even bid for,' he stated.
Criticism of Witchcraft Portrayals in Nollywood
The filmmaker also criticised the way witches are portrayed in many Nigerian films. According to him, scriptwriters often create detailed scenes of witches holding secret meetings despite having no proof such events exist. 'There are some lines that can never be in my scripts. Like witch meetings, I feel it is not realistic because we do not know if it is true,' he said.
Questioning the popular imagery used in movies, he added: 'Some even say they wear red clothes. Who went there? Who documented everything?' For Alli, storytelling should be rooted in experiences people can verify rather than myths passed down over generations.
Real Stories Over Myths
Alli admitted that he once participated in football betting before deciding to quit. 'I can write about hit-and-run because it is real. Those are things people experience. I used to bet before. I mean football betting, but God does not support it. We thank God it is now in the past,' he said.
The actor's comments have ignited discussions among fans and colleagues, with many praising his commitment to realism in storytelling. Others, however, argue that supernatural elements are a staple of Nigerian cinema and should not be dismissed outright.
Related News: Hanks Anuku's Camp Speaks
In related news, Legit.ng earlier reported that veteran Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku recently trended after a video of him in Abuja made the rounds on social media. In the clip, the actor was seen in Wuse 2, Abuja, wearing a black top, jeans, and sneakers while sitting close to a roadside with a disposable cup in his hand. At different moments, he appeared to be speaking to himself, leaving many social media users concerned about his well-being. His camp later issued a statement addressing the viral video.
