Ben Murray-Bruce Reveals How He Lost $3.5 Million To South African Partner In Kenya

Ben Murray-Bruce, the founder of the Silverbird Group, has disclosed how he was defrauded of $3.5 million by his South African business partner in a botched cinema complex deal in Kenya.

Speaking at the fourth edition of the Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday, Murray-Bruce revealed the unfortunate details of the investment gone wrong.

Murray-Bruce explained that he was called upon to invest in a cinema complex in Kenya, a deal that required him to transfer the sum of $3.5 million.

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However, after making the bank transfer, his South African partner registered the business solely in his own name, leaving Murray-Bruce with no control over the investment.

He said, “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.”

The media mogul, who also has a studio in Los Angeles, shared that he is currently involved in a legal dispute with a prominent Hollywood actor, though he did not provide further details.

Despite the setback, Murray-Bruce expressed optimism about the future of his career in entertainment. He shared that he is working on a movie script that will address fundamental societal issues. “The entertainment industry is very successful. In all the things I have done, I have never made one move about movie-making but now, I will,” he stated.

He also paid tribute to the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, a prominent Nigerian filmmaker and founder of the African Movie Academy Awards, recalling their long-standing relationship.

“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,” he fondly remembered.