Taye Arimoro has launched a legal counteroffensive against a coalition of industry guilds, demanding a full retraction and public apology for their decision to suspend him indefinitely.
The sanction was imposed following an alleged on-set assault involving producer Peggy Ovire.
The dispute originated from a November 11 altercation on a film set. Arimoro’s account stated that the conflict began when he attempted to depart after his contracted call time had elapsed.
He alleged that Ovire physically obstructed his vehicle, insisting that he stay to shoot additional scenes.
The confrontation, he claimed, escalated into his unlawful detention and assault by Ovire and members of her team. In light of the allegations, Arimoro demanded N100 million in compensation from Ovire.
Ovire, however, rejected Arimoro’s narrative, dismissing his claims as “grossly misleading, selective, and materially false”.
On November 28, Arimoro rejected the ruling issued by a joint disciplinary body of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), and the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), labelling their official statement as “inaccurate”.
In a sharply worded legal letter shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Arimoro’s lawyer argued that the guilds’ action was “procedurally improper, legally indefensible, and constitutionally void”.
Arimoro asserted he is not a registered member of any of the three guilds that sanctioned him. He accused the DGN, AGN, and AMP of overstepping their authority, lacking the locus standi to investigate or discipline him.
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The letter further accused the guilds of violating fundamental principles of justice by denying Arimoro a “right to fair hearing” and failing to disclose the evidence used against him.
Arimoro characterised the indefinite suspension as a “malicious and blatant” attempt to cripple his career and reputation.
“We are compelled to state unequivocally that the actions and decisions of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, Actors Guild of Nigeria, and Association of Movie Producers in relation to Client are procedurally improper, legally indefensible, and constitutionally void on the following grounds,” it reads in part.
“The disciplinary powers of the DGN, AGN and AMP, if any, are strictly limited to their members. Our Client is not a member of DGN, AGN, or AMP. Therefore, the AGN and AMP Disciplinary Committees, and DGN’s Fact-Finding Committee lack the locus, competence, or authority to: constitute a disciplinary committee to investigate our Client, i. issue disciplinary findings against him.”
The actor demanded that the guilds withdraw their “joint findings and sanctions” and issue a written apology within 24 hours.
He warned that failure to meet the demands would result in legal action, with a threat of N1 billion in damages.
“TAKE NOTICE that if DGN, AGN, and AMP fail, refuse, or neglect to comply with the demands above, our Client has given us a standing instruction to immediately commence legal proceedings against the DGN, AGN and AMP and their respective Presidents, seeking, inter alia, the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) in damages,” it added.
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