You Can't Lose What You Don't Have - Actor, Fabiyi Blasts Movie Practitioners Association Over Suspension

Yomi Fabiyi

Yomi Fabiyi, a Nollywood actor, has said he is not a member of the Theater Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria, following a suspension notice from the body.

The association had earlier suspended Fabiyi indefinitely over alleged 'gross professional misconducts and unethical practices’ concerning his controversial movie, ‘Oko Iyabo’.

The statement from TAMPAN read in part, “Having listened to the detailed defence of Mr Yomi Fabiyi, who is the Producer/Director of the controversial film ‘Oko Iyabo’ and his Co-Director, Dele Matti, the Ethic, Conflict and Resolution Committee hereby found them guilty of professional misconduct and unethical practices.”

In his reaction, Fabiyi denied TAMPAN membership, stating that was only registered as a member of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners.

He said, “I am originally an ANTP 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 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.”

Characters and events in Fabiyi's controversial movie, ‘Oko Iyabo’, depicted a real-life scenario involving another Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, who was accused of sexually assaulting a minor.

The police in April arrested Baba Ijesha for sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl, who was said to be the foster child of Comedienne, Princess Adekola.

Actress Iyabo Ojo, has however been one of the women calling for justice for the teenager, while Fabiyi has been defending the suspected child molester.