Actresses, Iyabo Ojo and Nkechi Blessing have reacted to the recent suspension action by Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN).
Recall that the Board of Trustees (BoT) and Elders of the industry waded into the legal matter involving Olarenwaju Oyiminka aka Baba Ijesha.
The association led by Bolaji Amusa aka Mr. Latin, on Sunday June 27 barred its member directors from working with the actresses. Executive member, Jide Kosoko also threatened to frustrate the actresses out of the industry.
Iyabo Ojo and Nkechi Blessing had called for justice for the girl allegedly raped and molested by Baba Ijesha.
Even, Iyabo Ojo at some point also led a protest against the release of the accused from prison.
Read Also: Alleged Rape: Iyabo Ojo Vows To Counter Any Attempt To Release Actor, Baba Ijesha (Videos)
However, TAMPAN, on Sunday, condemned the “malicious damages” by “unruly individuals that lack any iota of discipline and seem to feel to be above the law”.
The actresses were also accused of engaging in social media fights with their other colleagues over the Baba Ijesha alleged rape incident.
Noting that they were against all forms of sexual assault, the communique accused Iyabo Ojo of “reckless accusations, abuses and embarrassment of our sector”.
Read Also: TAMPAN Blacklists Iyabo Ojo, Vows To ‘Work Against’ Nkechi Blessing (Video)
It added;
If we allow the continuous blackmail to go unchecked, the current situation will continue to grow to the detriment of humble practitioners, whose only source of livelihood is the practice of Indigenous language movies.
Reacting to the association’s new position, Iyabo Ojo took to her Instagram handle with a quote about how the culture of silence continues to encourage child molestation. “I can never be silenced, know that & know God,” the actress wrote.
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Nkechi Blessing on her part took to her Instagram story to query the motives behind Jide Kosoko’s decision to blacklist her.
Although the actresses are not members of the association, its executives claim they have made derogatory statements about the industry hence the position to blacklist them.
The association have, however, remained silent on the ongoing child molestation case against actor, Baba Ijesha.
