Follow Us on Google
Veteran Yoruba actor, filmmaker and producer Sunny Alli has rejected widespread beliefs in money rituals, describing many witchcraft-themed stories portrayed in Nollywood as unrealistic and unsupported by evidence.
The actor, known for films including Omo Ghetto, Lagos Girls (Omoge Eko), Omo Olè and Okan Soso, shared his views during an interview on the YouTube programme Oyinmomo, where he spoke about scriptwriting, superstition and the type of stories he prefers to tell.
According to Alli, he deliberately avoids including scenes of witchcraft gatherings in his scripts because they are based on claims that cannot be verified.
“There are certain things that will never appear in my scripts. For instance, witch meetings. I don’t believe they are realistic because nobody has proved they exist. People say witches gather wearing red clothes, but who has actually been there to witness it?” he said.
Questioning how such scenes became common in Nigerian films, the veteran actor argued that no one has been able to provide convincing evidence about how witches operate.
“Who documented everything about witches? What do they really look like? I can write about accidents or other real-life experiences because people can relate to them. Those are believable stories,” he added.
Alli also dismissed the popular belief that wealth can be acquired through ritual practices, insisting that such claims do not stand up to logical examination.
“I have always said I don’t believe in money rituals. People claim a demon brings the money. I ask them, does the demon own a printing machine? Does it steal money from the Central Bank of Nigeria or from a Bureau de Change?” he said.
He explained that whenever he raised those questions, proponents of the belief often changed their explanations.
“When they couldn’t answer, they came up with another story that the money comes through contracts the person never bid for. I prefer scripts that are rooted in reality. I simply do not believe in money rituals,” Alli stated.
The actor also reflected on his past involvement in football betting, revealing that he has since abandoned gambling.
“I used to bet on football, but I no longer do so. I believe God does not support gambling, and I thank Him that it is now behind me,” he said.
A founding member of the Odunfa Caucus, Alli remains one of the respected figures in the Yoruba film industry, earning recognition over the years for his emotional performances and contributions as an actor, producer and director.
