By our Reporter
Following a controversial movie released,the Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association,(TAMPAN) has suspended Yomi Fabiyi over his recently released movie, ‘Oko Iyabo’.
The association disclosed this on Friday in a statement titled, ‘TAMPAN suspends Yomi Fabiyi indefinitely for gross professional misconducts & unethical practices.’
The statement read 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.
“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.”
TAMPAN explained that except “the work of art is a ‘Cinema Verite’, no one is allowed to use 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.
“His misconducts and unethical practices have impacted negatively on the image and reputation of our association. His Co-Director Mr. Dele Matti having shown remorse and admitted his guilt is hereby suspended for 3months.”
In another development Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, has claimed that he is not a member of the Theater Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria, following the suspension from the guild.
Fabiyi who denied TAMPAN membership in its entirety, 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 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.”