Former senator and founder of Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce has said a South African partner defrauded him of $3.5 million during an attempt to purchase a cinema complex in Kenya.
Murray-Bruce made the revelation on Thursday while speaking at the 4th Peace Anyiam-Osigwe (PAO) Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference in Victoria Island, Lagos.
He claimed that after transferring the funds, his South African partner registered the business in his own name, leaving him out of the investment.
“I was called to buy a cinema complex in Kenya for $3.5 million. I transferred the money, and my South African partner registered it in his name. That was how I lost that huge investment,” he said.
Murray-Bruce also revealed ongoing legal battles related to his Los Angeles studio, involving a prominent Hollywood actor.
On his plans to revive Nigeria’s cinema industry, the former senator said he is venturing into movie production.
“The entertainment industry is a very successful one. In all the things I have done, I have never made one move about movie making but now, I will. I am working on a script and I know we will get it right. We will deal with fundamental issues,” he added.
Murray-Bruce paid tribute to the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, recalling fond memories of their interactions.
He recounted how Anyiam-Osigwe, who he has known since childhood used to visit his home on a bicycle.
“Peace came to my house one day and asked me why I abandoned entertainment and became a politician. I have known her since she was six years old. She used to come to our house on her bicycle. Her brothers also used to come riding theirs,” he said.
The conference saw attendance from notable personalities, including veteran actress Joke Silva, filmmaker Victor Okhai, QEDNG publisher Olumide Iyanda, filmmaker Mo Abudu, executive director of the National Film and Video Censors Board Shaibu Husseini, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, actress Wumi Toriola, film producer Kazeem Adeoti, and actor Segun Arinze.
