AGN President Emeka Rollas Explains Why Actress Adanma Luke Wasn’t Sued Over Junior Pope’s Tragic Death [Video]

Image: DP

The president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has clarified why the guild refrained from suing actress Adanma Luke following the tragic death of actor Junior Pope and four crew members.

The incident occurred on April 10, 2024, when their boat capsized in the River Niger while traveling to a movie location in Asaba, Delta State.

Adanma Luke, the producer of the ill-fated film The Other Side of Life, was suspended by the AGN shortly after the tragedy. However, in a recent interview on Arise TV, Rollas revealed that legal constraints and structural issues within the guild prevented them from taking further action.

Rollas explained that the AGN could not sue because Junior Pope was not a due-paying member of the guild at the time of his death. Additionally, the contract signed between Junior Pope and the producer gave only his immediate family or wife the right to take legal action against Luke.

“From the contract that Junior Pope signed with the producer, the AGN did not have the locum to sue. Either the direct family or the wife should sue the producer,” Rollas said.

The AGN president highlighted the tragedy as a wake-up call for the guild, emphasizing the need for structural reforms. He announced plans to license actors, ensuring they adhere to industry standards and guild regulations.

“We are trying to change a lot of things. From the structure we are creating, tapping from practices abroad, we are going to begin licensing actors. We also found out that Junior Pope, as of the time of his death, was not a due-paying member of the guild. He was just an actor who is big but hadn’t paid dues in the last one year before his death,” he stated.

Rollas reiterated the guild’s commitment to ensuring greater accountability and safety in the Nigerian film industry. By adopting international best practices, the AGN aims to prevent future incidents and provide better protection for its members.

The tragic loss of Junior Pope and his colleagues continues to resonate within the entertainment industry, sparking discussions about the responsibilities of producers and the need for stricter industry oversight.

Watch him speak below:

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Source: DP

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