Gunness Nigeria Plc / SO&U Unethical Practice Lagos Lagos Nigeria

Three Nigerian models: Adeniyi Oshinboyejo (Nosh!), Boma Akpore, and  Najim Busari whose images adorn the “Come Drink At The Table Of Men.” advertising campaign materials for Guinness Premium Stout brand are threatening court action, if their demands for compensation are not met. The trio insisted they were never consulted or contracted before their images were splashed on billboards all over Nigeria.

Contrary to standard practice, none of the models were appropriately contracted by SO&U the advertising agency for Guinness at that time. The huckster who paraded himself as their agent, had no contractual agreement to proof that he is their agent, yet he succeeded in negotiating on their behalf, despite never appointing him as their agent.

Niyi Oshinboyejo, lead actor in’ The Couple’, a television drama aired on AIT and other terrestrial and cable stations is presently resident in United States of America. However, through his lawyer  Barr. S.O Kayode Okimoba he is set to challenge the unfair treatment meted out to him by the agency and Guinness Plc after his peaceful moves were rebuffed. He is set to sue, demanding N250,000,000 for damages.

Niyi narrates his ordeal, “Here is my story so far. I am not the only Model on that campaign. However, we all have the same story line to share.

“I have a friend by the name Oluwaseun Osofisan, he runs a modeling outfit called Lylloly. We all met in the modeling industry. He started acting like my informant for modeling jobs – meaning that we never had any concrete or documented agreement as to whether or not he could represent or negotiate on my behalf. He would invite me to come for photo shoots, but half of the time he would call, I declined, but that never stopped him from calling me for available jobs.”

It all started in August 2011 when SO&U Advertising needed models for a Guinness campaign titled “Come Drink At The Table Of Men.” He called me as usual, this time I responded to his call, we agreed on the shooting date with the agency. When I got to the location where the shooting was happening, I called Seun to inquire about the compensation involved in the project, his response was “everything has been taken care of.” This statement triggered my curiosity, so I asked ” how possible is that? how can you take care of everything without my knowledge of whatever contract you may have signed?” He responded – “it’s nothing big, it’s just a press shot, and they paying N150,000″ at this point, my attitude was – cool! let’s do it!

We began the shoot, several shots were taken, and we all had a great time. Few days after, he called to let me know that they could not find the right shot they are looking for, that we have to come back for a re-shoot. Re-shoot was scheduled, and we were there to fulfill our commitments. People at the shoot included Bayo Adegbe (Modella) he was the make-up artist, three Guinness officials,  four SO&U officials, Lolo (Costumier) and models,

It was firmly emphasized that the material would be used for “PRESS” and press only, this is what we were made to believe.

I was called several weeks later to come and pick up my cheque which I did, and N150,000 was paid. All these events occurred between August – December 2011.

I left for United States in pursuit of a better career, after a month that I landed in U.S, I received my picture on Guinness billboard from a friend in Nigeria, I was dumbfounded, and did not know what to say. I grabbed my phone and asked from my people in Nigeria who confirmed this development”

“I suspected Seun, so I called him. He said  ‘Ha! Baba…..I’ve been looking for you all over Nigeria, they told me you are out of the country. Guinness called and wanted to use those abandoned pictures for a campaign, and I have negotiated, signed, and protected your interests” was his response.

In my mind, I was wondering how he convinced them that he was my agent without any formal permission from me.. So I asked him; “How much did you bargain for? He said – “N160,000” – I was livid with anger about the cheap exploitation. I instantaneously demanded they yank-down the billboards with immediate effect or else, I would take it to another level which led us to where we are today, it was too late at that time, my face was all over the country without my consent, neither was any compensation for me.”

segunbanjonewsspot.com  sent an sms to Mr Udeme Ufot, CEO of SO&U requesting for the advertising agency’s side of the story, he simply ignored and never responded. However, for  Sesan Shobowale of the Corporate Affairs Department of Guinness he promised to “crosscheck with the brand team and the agency and revert…” that never happened. Reminder sms to him was  ignored