TAMPAN Suspends Yomi Fabiyi

Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has suspended Yomi Fabiyi.

Gatekeepers News reports that the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has indefinitely suspended popular Yoruba actor, Yomi Fabiyi for producing and directing the controversial film, ‘Oko Iyabo’.

The Co-Director of the movie, Dele Matti was, however, suspended for just three months.

TAMPAN while announcing their suspension in a statement on Friday, said its Ethics, Conflict and Resolution Committee found them guilty of professional misconduct and unethical practices.

TAMPAN earlier summoned Fabiyi and Matti to appear before it on Thursday (July 8). While Fabiyi insisted that it was his fundamental human right to use his talent to produce the film, his Co-Director admitted his fault and regretted his involvement in the film.

According to the association, the film had “sparked off another round of public dissension that may bring polemic against TAMPAN and our good members if we fail to nip the bud of the controversy”.

In recent times, Fabiyi has faced backlash for backing fellow actor, Omoyinka Olanrewaju a.k.a Baba Ijesa, who is currently facing trial over allegations of rape and sexual harassment of a minor.

He came under fire again after releasing the movie ‘Oko Iyabo’, which is a re-enactment of his perspective on the controversial matter.

According to him, the production of the movie to ‘Oko Iyabo’, was deliberate to serve as a clap back against one of his most vocal critics and fellow actor, Iyabo Ojo.

However, TAMPAN argued that except the work of art is a “Cinema Verite”, no one is allowed to use the real name(s) of another person (s) in a feature film.

The statement read in part, “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.”

TAMPAN has summoned all its members who acted in the movie to appear before the Ethic, Conflict & Resolution Committee on 24 July 2021.

The association reiterated that “TAMPAN is an association of noble artistes and will never encourage or do anything that will cause a social crisis in our society.”

See the full statement below.