‎Chidi Mokeme: Nollywood’s king of crime on screen‎

BY ABIOLA ADIGUN

In the high-octane world of Nigerian crime cinema, one name keeps cropping up in the grittiest scripts and the most dangerous roles—Chidi Mokeme. Whether he’s the calculating kingpin Scar in Shanty Town, the enigmatic Teacher in To Kill a Monkey, or the street-hardened Gaza in Tokunbo, Mokeme’s presence is a guarantee of layered menace wrapped in magnetic charm.

For more than two decades, he has been Nollywood’s quiet storm, the actor who can command a room with a glance and turn a single line into a threat, a promise, or both.

Born on March 17, 1972, in Oba, Anambra State, Chidi Mokeme’s journey into acting was far from predictable. A graduate of Computer Science from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, he was fluent in Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa long before fluency in film scripts became his craft.

He first became a household name not through crime dramas, but as the charismatic host of Gulder Ultimate Search. Yet even then, there was something in his poise and delivery that hinted at a man who could effortlessly slip into the shoes of a mob boss, a conflicted anti-hero, or a haunted enforcer.

Mokeme’s portfolio in the crime genre reads like a greatest-hits list of Nollywood’s most compelling dramas:

• To Kill a Monkey (2025) – As the Teacher, he’s the still centre of a violent storm, a man who shapes the destiny of the protagonist with quiet authority.
• Shanty Town (2023) – His turn as Scar, the ruthless Lagos kingpin with a razor-sharp mind, earned him an AMVCA nomination and cemented his status as a master of menace.
• Sin – A raw portrayal of moral decay and redemption’s thin line.
• Saviour (2006) – As Peter, Mokeme navigates a morally grey world of conflict and betrayal.
• Igodo (1999) – One of his early screen ventures, hinting at the dramatic gravitas to come.
• Ruthless – The title says it all; Mokeme embodies cold ambition.
• Tokunbo (2024) – Playing Gaza, he channels street-level grit and raw survival instincts.
• Life and Dirt (2024) – As Ajazi, he’s both predator and philosopher in the urban jungle.
• Rapture (1998) – A suspenseful turn in a psychological web.
• Out of Breath (2024) – As Izu, he’s caught in the frantic heartbeat of a life-or-death chase.
• Entangle – A crime story knotted in love and loyalty.
• Anini (2005) – As Osunbor in the true-life story of Nigeria’s infamous bandit, Mokeme showcased uncanny authenticity.

Playing a convincing villain is no small feat, and Mokeme approaches it with the discipline of a craftsman. In one interview, he reflected: “Success in entertainment requires dedication, perseverance, discipline, and a burning desire fuelled by passion. The glamour of the red carpet is just the reward for countless sleepless nights behind the scenes.”

It’s this behind-the-scenes grind—studying mannerisms, crafting backstories, perfecting delivery—that allows him to transform into characters audiences love to fear.

Unlike one-dimensional portrayals of evil, Mokeme’s villains are often multi-layered—flawed, intelligent, and sometimes disturbingly relatable. In Shanty Town, Scar is not just a thug but a strategist with an unshakable moral code within his own twisted world. Co-star Ini Edo once described his casting as Scar as “divine.”

It’s that depth, coupled with his commanding screen presence, that keeps producers calling and audiences hooked.

Off-screen, Mokeme is a family man and entrepreneur. Married to US-based doctor Jean Olumba Mokeme, with whom he has a son, he balances the demands of an acting career with a grounded personal life. He also has an older son from a previous relationship.

His charisma extends beyond acting—whether hosting a TV show or speaking to young creatives, Mokeme brings the same gravitas that marks his screen performances.

As Nollywood continues to expand globally, Chidi Mokeme remains one of its most bankable crime actors. His recent roles in To Kill a Monkey, Tokunbo, and Life and Dirt show an actor still at the peak of his powers, unafraid to take risks or embrace darkness.

For now, he’s the man who owns the underworld on screen. And if his career so far is any guide, Chidi Mokeme will keep ruling Nollywood’s crime throne for years to come.