The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has summoned Yomi Fabiyi over the release of ‘Oko Iyabo‘, a movie on Baba Ijesha, his embattled colleague.
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.
But on Sunday, Fabiyi, who has been a prominent figure in the case, put out the movie wherein he detailed his own version of the “incidents that led to the arrest and trial of his embattled colleague.”
The movie has continued to spark outrage since its release, with many questioning the rationality behind such a project.
In a statement on Monday, TAMPAN said the movie’s subject matter, which has become an issue of heated debate, is against its ethics and virtue.
The association said Fabiyi must honour the directive and appear before its committee on July 11 as the matter is capable of damaging its reputation if not addressed.
“The TAMPAN committee on ethics, conflict and resolution wishes to inform the general public that the association has summoned Mr. Yomi Fabiyi who is the producer/director of the controversial film titled ‘Oko Iyabo’ to appear before it on Thursday 11th July 2021,” it wrote.
“This invitation becomes very necessary because of the controversy that the subject matter of his film has generated which is against our ethic and virtue.
“Despite that, we realise that the film has 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.
“We hereby implore the general public and the parties concerned to please exercise patience as our eminent association is on top of this issue and will certainly ensure fairness and justice.”
The development comes at about the same time when the movie was removed from YouTube.
Checks showed the film is no longer available on Oleku TV where it was earlier released.
TAMPAN had earlier come under fire over its handling of the Baba Ijesha saga after it threatened sanctions against Iyabo Ojo and Nkechi Blessing over their comments on the matter.
