TAMPAN suspends Yomi Fabiyi indefinitely over ‘Oko Iyabo’

The Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association (TAMPAN) has announced the indefinite suspension of Yomi Fabiyi, the Nollywood actor.

The association broke the news in a statement on Friday. It added that the actor was suspended indefinitely for “gross professional misconducts & unethical practices.”

The sanction came on the back of Fabiyi’s recently released movie titled, ‘Oko Iyabo’, on the sexual assault allegations against Baba Ijesha, his embattled colleague.

“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,” the statement read.

“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.”

In the statement, the committee set up by TAMPAN also established 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.”

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.”

 

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Baba Ijesha is being tried on a six-count charge which includes sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault.

The 48-year-old was earlier granted bail with his trial scheduled to begin on July 26.

Shortly after ‘Oko Iyabo’ was released, the movie began to attract negative reactions from many users on social media who questioned the motives behind such a project.

Femi Branch had earlier lambasted Fabiyi over the controversial movie while describing him as a “disgrace to filmmakers”.

Other movie stars like Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh condemned Fabiyi’s action, while YouTube also took down the movie from its platform.