Black Lives Matter activist accused of owing the BFI 200,000 ‘spun web of lies’ over other debtee – Daily Mail

A Black Lives Matteractivist the British Film Institute say owes them 216,000 of sponsorship, tried to get another person jailed who 'she owed money to'.

Alisha Hall, 41,and her Hall Media Group Limited are subject of a winding-up petition launched by the BFI over the large sum it says was due.Hall denies any wrongdoing or monies due.

MailOnline can reveal today how she failed last month in an attempt to get another person she is said to owe money to, a criminal conviction, after 'spinning a web of lies'.

Former BBC Radio London producer Acua Gyamfi, 46, was dragged to court after Hall shouted for police when she was confronted over a35,000 'debt'.

Ms Gyamfi - described as a role model in City of London Magistrates Court - was charged with Common Assault, which carries a maximum sentence of six months.She was found innocent by JPs.

In extraordinary scenes in court she was forced to defend herself as details of huge provocation were revealed.

Ms Gyamfi - who founded the admiredThe British Blacklist in 2012 - told the court how she had trusted Hall after being introduced to her by friends in the BFI.

She explained to JPs: 'I was planning a lunch for black filmmakers at the London Film Festival.I was looking for sponsors and they were approached by Alisha, who offered to sponsor the BFI London Film Festival.

'She offered support by sponsoring the introductory soiree and my two BFI friends said "She has approached us, she is sponsoring us".

'Alisha agreed to be the sponsor of the lunch and she asked for invoices for the 35,000 agreed amount for the event at the NoMad Hotel, Covent Garden.'

The luxury hotel is housed in the converted former Bow Street Magistrates' Court listed building.

The event proceeded on October 8, with Gyamfi paying 20,000 out of her pocket to secure the location, confident Hall's sponsorship would be paid.

'She was the guest of honour because she was the main sponsor,' Gyamfi told the court. 'She said the money would be paid in three days so I used my money to pay for the venue.

'That money was not paid and she was very apologetic and said it was Santander's fault. I used my money, 20,000, with confidence that Alisha was going to reimburse me, but that did not happen.

'She said there was 'account maintenance' and then there were multiple emails from her saying: "The money is in your bank. The money will be in your bank".

'I started to feel quite suspicious as to where the money was and she claimed to have gone to the bank with her legal team.

'In November I was suspicious that this money was not going to come and in January I told her I did not believe the money was going to come.'

Both women attended a Windrush Day celebration at the Film and TV Charity HQ in Golden Square, Soho on June 22, last year.

'I saw Alisha in the garden area and made a point to say "hello" and she kind of gave me a dismissive 'hello' back,' explained Ms Gyamfi.

'I wanted to speak to Alisha to clear up why the money had not been paid and I went over to her and said: "We should talk".

'She said: "I don't want to talk to you, I don't have to. Go away". It surprised me and I was flustered.

'I said: "You owe me 35,000, you owe the BFI 200,000 and Rhapsody Media 38,000".

'I was bemused at this point and didn't understand why she did not want to engage in conversation. I thought I could appeal to her better nature.

'She was saying: "Leave me alone, go away, I don't have to talk to you" and she started to get more flustered.'

The court heard Hall began shouting: 'Get my lawyer, get the police,' and told the event's organiser Ms Gyamfi was 'harassing' her.

Ms Gyamfi told her: 'You call the police because I am asking you to confess, to come clean or apologise for not paying me.'

Hall's mother Elain Roberts intervened, suggesting the complaint was a matter for solicitors.

Ms Gyamfi added: 'Alisha then sarcastically said: "She doesn't have the money for a lawyer", and it got more irate between us.

'She was being very unapologetic and and was swearing at me, telling me to f*** off. She was creating a storm to make it look like she was the victim.

'Something inside broke my spirits so I started to cry and get upset and emotional, asking: "Alisha. Why are you being like this? Tell the truth and pay the money you owe me".

'You have ruined my life and I owe my mum 19,000 because she bailed me out.'

'She continued to tell me to 'f*** off' and to leave her alone and go away.'

The court viewed CCTV of Gyamfi following Hall and her mother outside and down the street.

Hall had claimed Ms Gyamfi told her she would 'get her' and claimed she thought she was going to be hit by you and she circled round her with raised clenched fists.

But the defendant denied this or that she wasaggressive, but was just taking a rare opportunity to speak to Hall face to face.

Ms Gyamfi's lawyer George Skinner said of Hall: 'She has spun a web of lies. She did not fear an attack that day.

'Ms Gyamfi is a role model, an inspiring person that has built an impressive career and uses that to help others.

'In the circumstances of the 35,000 owed you may feel she was incredibly controlled.'

The magistrates court agreed and MsGyamfi, of Shepherd's Bush, was found not guilty of assaulting Hall.

Chair Sneha Kooros told her:'It is agreed there was an argument inside and outside the venue and you followed Ms Hall and her mother outside and at the time raised your arms

'Ms Hall's evidence was that during the event's Q and A you deliberately sat behind her and her mother and approached her about money she owed you on multiple occasions.

'She said she was frightened and embarrassed and asked someone to call the police.

'You followed them across the road and she said that you told her you were going to 'get her' and she said she thought she was going to be hit by you and you circled around her with raised clenched fists.

'We feel you were credible and honest in giving evidence and were concise and plausible. Your actions did not amount to common assault.It was a heated conversation that could have gone wrong, but it didn't.'

Hall's The Liberation Initiatives calls itself 'a force for systematic change against the social & economic disadvantages faced by marginalised communities'.

It was founded in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in America.

Hall Media Group has told the Metro it does not believe it owes any money to any parties.

A spokesperson said: 'We are extremely proud of the work we do for marginalised communities in the UK, and the support we have provided over the years to a variety of community groups, Black entrepreneurs, and creatives.

'In light of the legal process underway, it would be inappropriate to comment further other than to say we do not believe the BFI's complaint has merit and we look forward to making our case in court.'

The BFI told MailOnline: 'Proceedings against Hall Media Group Limited in respect of sums owed to the BFI are ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment whilst those proceedings remain live.'

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Black Lives Matter activist accused of owing the BFI 200,000 'spun web of lies' over other debtee - Daily Mail