The Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association (TAMPAN) has suspended Nollywood actor and producer, Yomi Fabiyi, indefinitely.
Fabiyi was suspended by the association for “gross professional misconducts & unethical practices” following the release of his controversial movie “Oko Iyabo”.
TAMPAN announced the decision in a statement issued on Friday.
“Oko Iyabo” depicts the situation currently playing out between Iyabo Ojo, an actress; popular comedienne, Damilola Adekoya, better known as Princess; and their vocal opposition against the action of Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, an actor popularly known as Baba Ijesha, who is currently involved in a sexual assault case.
The statement partly read: “Having listened to the detailed defense of Mr. Yomi Fabiyi, who is the Producer/Director of the controversial film ‘Oko Iyabo’ and his Co-Director, Mr. Dele Matti, the Ethic, Conflict and Resolution Committee hereby found them guilty of professional misconduct and unethical practices.
“Although Mr. Yomi Fabiyi insisted that it is his fundamental human right to use his creative talent to produce films that will tell his own account of the trending issue but his Co-Director admitted his fault and regretted his involvement in the film.”
TAMPAN also pointed out that “except the work of art is a ‘Cinema Verite’, no one is allowed to use a real name(s) of other person (s) in a feature film. Therefore, it is professional misconduct to use real name (s), stories and factual events of person (s) without their consent not to talk of a plot that is denigrating to that person.
“That the story, plot, theme, title, dialogue, names and general content of the film ‘Oko Iyabo’ is a factual presentation that may give rise to prejudice since the matter is already in court.
“His misconducts and unethical practices have impacted negatively on the image and reputation of our association. His Co-Director Mr. Dele Matti having shown remorse and admitted his guilt is hereby suspended for 3months.”
According to the statement, everyone who took part in the “film has been summoned to appear before the Ethic, Conflict & Resolution Committee on the 24. July 2021”.
The minor in the case is the foster daughter of comedienne, Princess, and actresses like Iyabo Ojo and Nkechi Blessing had spoken in support of the minor.
However, Fabiyi took sides with Baba Ijesha during the case and released the movie a few days after Baba Ijesha was released on bail.
Several Nollywood actors blasted their colleague over the film, describing it as insensitive.
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