Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association (TAMPAN) has on Friday announced the indefinite suspension of Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi.
The association broke the news in a statement on Friday, adding that the actor was suspended indefinitely for “gross professional misconducts & unethical practices.”
The suspension came on the back of his recently released movie titled ‘Oko Iyabo’, about the sexual assault case of another male colleague, Baba Ijesha.
Baba Ijesha is being tried on a six-count charge which includes sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault.
Read Also: Breaking: Court Grants Baba Ijesha N2m Bail In Alleged Sexual Assault Case
The film star, who was accused of defiling a minor, was earlier granted bail with his trial scheduled to begin on July 26.
However on Sunday, Fabiyi, who has been a prominent figure in the case, put out the movie titled ‘Oko Iyabo’, wherein he detailed his own version of the “incidents that led to the arrest and trial of his embattled colleague.”
The project’s characters take on the names of others also involved in the case including comedian, who is the foster mother of the alleged victim, Princess and actress, Iyabo Ojo, who has been calling for justice for the abused girl, whom the story seemingly centers around.
Iyabo Ojo’s character is portrayed first as a young child from a dysfunctional home. Princess’s foster daughter is also portrayed as a young woman in a consenting sexual with Baba Ijesha.
The movie was, however, met with an avalanche of backlashes on social media, especially Twitter, wherein users slammed Fabiyi for making a movie about a case that was still in court.
Read Also: Tonto Dikeh Slams Yomi Fabiyi Over New Movie About Baba Ijesha’s Sexual Assault Case
Reacting, TAMPAN, in a statement, condemned the movie, stating that it has gone against their ethics and virtue.
According to the press statement, Fabiyi will appear before its committee on the 11th of July, 2021.
Read Also: Sexual Assault: TAMPAN Summons Yomi Fabiyi Following Release Of New Movie About Baba Ijesha’s Case
Following the summon, TAMPAN in a statement on Friday said;
Having listened to the detailed defense of Mr. Yomii 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 pointed out that except;
The work of art is a ‘Cinema Verite’, no one is allowed to use 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.
The statement further stated that everyone “who acted in the film has been summoned to appear before the Ethic, Conflict & Resolution Committee on the 24. July 2021.”
