TAMPAN has suspended Yomi Fabiyi after the premiere of his film “Oko Iyabo,” which many believe trivialises a teen’s sexual assault.
“TAMPAN suspends Yomi Fabiyi indefinitely for severe professional misconducts & unethical activities,” the Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association said in a statement on Friday, July 9.
The following was part of the statement: “The Ethic, Conflict and Resolution Committee found Mr. Yomi Fabiyi, Producer/Director of the controversial film “Oko Iyabo,” and his Co-Director, Mr. Dele Matti, guilty of professional misconduct and unethical activities after hearing their thorough defence.
“Although Mr. Yomi Fabiyi maintained that it is his basic human right to utilise his creative ability to create films that convey his own account of the trending problem, his Co-Director acknowledged his mistake and expressed sorrow for his participation in the film.”
TAMPAN also chastised the film’s use of real-life people’s names.
According to the organisation, “no one is permitted to utilise actual names of other people(s) in a feature film unless the piece of art is a ‘Cinema Verite’.”
Following is the rest of the statement: “As a result, it is professional misconduct to utilise genuine names, stories, and facts about people without their permission, as well as to discuss a storyline that is demeaning to them.
“Because the case is already in court, the narrative, storyline, topic, title, language, names, and general content of the film “Oko Iyabo” are a true portrayal that may cause bias.
“His misbehaviour and unethical behaviour have harmed our association’s image and reputation. Mr. Dele Matti, his Co-Director, is therefore suspended for three months for showing sorrow and admitting fault.”
The film’s stars have also been asked to testify before the Ethic, Conflict & Resolution Committee on July 24, 2021, according to TAMPAN.
Following TAMPAN’s statement, Yomi Fabiyi went to Instagram to request that anybody interested in seeing the film contact her so that it may be given to them discreetly.
Yomi Fabiyi is placed on indefinite suspension by TAMPAN; he responds.
The video was originally posted on YoutTube, but it was removed when it was reported.
In response to the suspension, Yomi also issued a statement.
The following is the whole statement: “ANTP is where I started. In the worst-case scenario, I’ll continue to be a member.
“I’ve never joined a guild or obtained or signed any paperwork from TAMPAN. I was forced to pay for registration, which I did, but no paperwork or official process was ever collected.
“The letter is unsuitable for a filmmaker like myself.
“If I need to seek legal remedy, any response will be based on a violation of human rights. What you never had, you don’t lose.”
