Owambe Thieves is a 2025 Nigerian comedy-crime film directed by Adeoluwa Owu and co-produced by Eniola Ajao. The plot follows Cheta and Lola, a young couple grappling with the harsh realities of post-baby life in Nigeria’s tough economic climate. Desperate and determined, they turn to unexpected, and increasingly daring, means of survival. The movie premiered on April 13, 2025, at Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos, and hit cinemas nationwide on April 18. A UK cinema release is also slated for May 9, 2025.
The Premise
Owambe Thieves follows Cheta and Lola, a struggling young couple navigating the harsh realities of survival in a tough Nigerian economy. Cheta gets fired for standing up for his coworkers, forcing him and his family to leave the company apartment. With nowhere else to turn, they move into a small flat offered by Cheta’s friend, who soon reveals unsettling intentions toward Lola. After a confrontation, Cheta defends his wife, but the friend throws them out.
Desperate, they return to Lola’s family home and discover her younger sister’s marriage introduction already underway, an event that excluded them. Tensions rise, but they’re reluctantly allowed to stay. When Lola learns her sister is marrying a wealthy politician, she hatches a bold plan with Cheta: steal a portion of the cash sprayed at the wedding. With access to the spare key and a solid strategy, they pull it off, walking away with a bag full of money and a new lease on life.
Flush with cash, the couple buys a house and car and begins living large. What started as a one-time heist soon becomes a habit. When Cheta hears that Mr. Bling Bling—the same boss who fired him—is hosting his daughter’s lavish wedding, he sees the perfect opportunity for revenge. As they plan their most daring heist, the couple now enjoys respect and recognition from Lola’s once-dismissive family.
However, with high stakes, rising egos, and cracks forming in their relationship, this final job may cost them more than they bargained for.
Casts and Performances
Lola and Cheta are played by Eniola Ajao and Zubby Michael. Eniola, also a co-producer, delivers a strong performance in one of her first major lead roles outside Yoruba films. Zubby Michael, however, feels like an unusual pick for this comedy-drama blend. While his energy is undeniable, his casting comes off more like a checkbox for tribal diversity than a snug fit for the role. Someone like Seun Ajayi might’ve delivered better tonal balance.
Sola Sobowale plays Mrs. Toke, Lola’s mother. True to form, she brings her signature fire and flair, injecting the character with as much life as the script allows. Odunlade Adekola plays Bernard, Cheta’s friend, an unexpected casting choice that amplifies the film’s comedic aspirations, though not always effectively.
Femi Branch as Oga Bling Bling is perhaps the boldest deviation. Known for more serious roles, he transforms into an eccentric Igbo boss with exaggerated swagger. He commits to the accent and attitude, though casting an actual Igbo actor might have added more authenticity.
The film is packed with cameos and side roles from Akin Lewis as the senator, Aisha Lawal (once again, one of the wives of a ¨King¨), Ronke Oshodi Oke, Bukola Grace Awoyemi, Chimezie Imo, Tolani Baj, Denrele Edun, Papaya X and Shina Peters. Unfortunately, the script and inappropriate casting undermine most of their performances, making them forgettable despite the actors’ talent.
What I liked
While I hesitate to highlight cinematography as the standout feature, it truly was the film’s strongest suit. Owambe Thieves captured everything from the party scenes to the quieter moments with flair, creating a clean, engaging visual experience. The plot concept itself had genuine potential. A comedic drama rooted in relatable economic struggles and societal satire, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite match the ambition. Still, credit where it’s due: the visuals helped keep the story afloat, even when the narrative faltered.
What Didn’t Work
While Owambe Thieves had potential, its execution left too many loose ends. The casting often failed to align with the tone or energy the film aimed for, and the plot execution disappointed.
Several scenes felt disjointed or unnecessary. For example, Cheta rushes into a burning building to save a child, suddenly wearing firefighter gear despite being a passerby. It felt forced and out of place. I still can’t quite figure out what that scene was meant to convey (perhaps to show Cheta as a good man whose circumstances pushed him to the edge?). The clearly fake toy gun further strained believability, as we were expected to take it seriously.
The flashback at the end didn’t help either—it started during daylight and cut to nighttime, confusing me. Was the flashback meant to span several hours, or was it poor editing? Just when it seemed the story was concluding, the film hinted at a sequel that felt unnecessary and unearned.
Overall, Owambe Thieves had the makings of something special, but it needed stronger narrative discipline and clearer direction to truly deliver on its promise.
Final Thoughts
Owambe Thieves tries to blend satire, comedy, and social commentary in a way that feels ambitious but not entirely cohesive. While its premise had strong potential to shed light on economic desperation and moral grey zones in a humorous, culturally familiar setting, the film ultimately falls short in execution. A few performances held promise, and the cinematography helped carry the visual appeal, but the inconsistent storytelling, casting mismatches, and forced plot points made it hard to stay fully engaged. It’s a film that leaves you wondering what it could’ve been with more careful scripting and direction.
Rating
I would rate this movie 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Have you seen Owambe Thieves? Did the film’s bold blend of satire and social commentary land for you, or miss the mark? Let us know in the comments.
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