Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, has claimed that he is not a member of Theater Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) following his suspension from the guild.
The association had earlier suspended Fabiyi indefinitely ‘for gross professional misconducts and unethical practices’ concerning his movie, ‘Oko Iyabo’.
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.
Read Also: Baba Ijesha: TAMPAN Suspends Yomi Fabiyi Indefinitely Over ‘Oko Iyabo’ Movie
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.
Reacting, TAMPAN, in a statement, condemned the movie, stating that it has gone against their ethics and virtue.
Read Also: Tonto Dikeh Slams Yomi Fabiyi Over New Movie About Baba Ijesha’s Sexual Assault Case
TAMPAN’s suspension statement reads in part;
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.
Reacting to the suspension, Fabiyi has denied TAMPAN membership, claiming that he is originally a member of Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners, the group where TAMPAN broke out from.
He said;
I am originally ANTP (Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners) member, worst case I’ll renew my membership there. I have never obtained or signed any form with TAMPAN or joined any guild.I was made to pay for registration which I did but no form or formal procedure.
The letter is inappropriate; not valid for me as a filmmaker. Any reaction of necessary will be on the basis of human rights violation if I so seek judicial redress. You can’t lose what you don’t have.
Meanwhile, all members of TAMPAN who appeared in the movie had been ‘summoned to appear before the Ethic, Conflict and Resolution Committee of the association on July 24, 2021’.
Actors in the movie include Lola Afolayan (Lola Idije), Adedeji Aderemi (Olofa Ina), Olasunkanmi Akani and Omolola Adeniyi.
