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Nollywood actor Taye Arimoro has openly condemned the indefinite suspension placed on him by three leading industry guilds, stressing that the statement released about his conduct was not only inaccurate but also failed to reflect the actual sequence of events.
The actor, who insists he has been unfairly judged, says he is already consulting with his legal team to challenge the decision and ensure the matter is properly addressed.
The disciplinary action was announced by the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), and the Association of Movie Producers (AMP). The guilds jointly suspended Arimoro based on allegations that he assaulted producer and actress Peggy Ovire during the filming of a project. Their decision followed weeks of social media discussions and conflicting accounts surrounding the incident.
According to the guilds’ report, the clash occurred on November 11 while production was ongoing. However, Arimoro has given a different narrative, maintaining that the confrontation began only after his scheduled call time had long expired. The actor explained that he had attempted to leave the location after completing the scenes assigned to him for the day. He claimed that as he tried to drive out, Ovire allegedly blocked his vehicle and insisted he remain behind to shoot additional scenes that were not part of his earlier plan. Arimoro stated that this unexpected demand escalated into a physical situation, alleging that he was restrained and assaulted by Ovire and members of her team.
Beyond rejecting the suspension, Arimoro has also demanded N100 million in damages from Ovire for her alleged involvement in the confrontation, revealing the deep extent of the conflict between both parties. The tension intensified further after Ovire publicly dismissed his account, describing it as “grossly misleading, selective, and materially false,” sparking more reactions within the industry.
In a formal letter dated November 27, the guilds outlined the conditions attached to Arimoro’s suspension. They ordered him to issue a public apology addressed both to Ovire and to the wider public—specifically instructing him to do so on the same live platform where he initially spoke about the matter. In addition to the apology, the actor was directed to record and publish a revised video presenting a new account of the events, one that aligns with what the guilds described as the accurate sequence.
The guilds also mandated that Arimoro must return to the set of the film Pieces of Love to finish the two remaining scenes he had yet to complete. This return, they emphasized, must occur under strict supervision to prevent any further disruptions.
Interestingly, the disciplinary instructions were not directed at Arimoro alone. Ovire was also asked to submit a written apology for “failing to de-escalate the matter” during the incident. She was further told to apologise to the estate management of the location where the altercation occurred. This dual chastisement, according to the guilds, was to reinforce their commitment to maintaining discipline and professionalism on all productions.
The three guilds explained that their stance reflects their zero-tolerance policy for any form of intimidation, harassment, physical aggression, or unprofessional conduct during film shoots. They emphasized that maintaining order on film sets remains essential for protecting actors, crew members, and producers alike.
While the guilds sought to portray their decision as balanced and fair, Arimoro strongly disagreed. In a post shared on Instagram, he expressed deep dissatisfaction with the statement issued, saying, “To be honest, the statement given doesn’t capture the facts of the matter in any way, shape, or form!”
He went on to assure his supporters that a more detailed rebuttal would be released soon, adding, “My management and legal team are aware of this, and I will provide a comprehensive response tomorrow. My legal team is also proceeding with the necessary action to address these unfounded claims.”
As the situation continues to unfold, the industry remains divided over who is at fault. For now, both parties seem prepared for a prolonged battle to defend their versions of the incident.
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#PeggyOvire
#NollywoodTimes
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