Bucci Franklin has been named Best Supporting Actor at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) for his riveting performance as cybercrime kingpin Oboz in the crime thriller series To Kill a Monkey.
The award was announced during the glitzy ceremony on May 9, 2026, at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. Franklin triumphed over a fiercely competitive field that included Femi Adebayo, Gabriel Afolayan, Lateef Adedimeji, and Uzor Arukwe.
Franklin’s portrayal of Obozuhiomwen “Oboz Da Boss” Ogbemudia – a charismatic yet menacing Lagos underworld figure – drew widespread critical praise. The character is an old school friend who lures the protagonist into cybercrime, embodying both fierce loyalty and destructive arrogance.
To prepare, Franklin stopped all grooming for five months, letting his hair and nails grow wild. His raw, unpredictable performance was so convincing that many viewers believed he was truly Edo‑speaking.
“To Kill a Monkey” earned eight nominations overall, including Best Lead Actor for William Benson and Best Series (Scripted).
Franklin’s win marks a major career milestone, cementing his reputation as one of Nollywood’s most transformative character actors.
His acceptance speech thanked the show’s creator, Kemi Adetiba, and the cast for believing in “a villain who never hides his true face.”
