AGN addresses on-set violence in Nollywood amid Peggy, Taye ass@ult scandal

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has firmly condemned physical violence on film sets. This follows a high-profile incident involving the producer/actress Peggy Ovire and the actor Taye Arimoro.

AGN's President, Emeka Rollas, issued a statement about a "disturbing video and voice note" which allegedly shows an actor being "brutally assaulted" by a producer and her film crew.

The row started during a late-night shoot in Lagos. Arimoro says the argument escalated when he tried to leave the set after his agreed working hours finished around midnight.

According to Arimoro's account (shared in a popular Instagram Live), Ovire's team blocked his car, let down his tyres, and attacked him, leaving him with visible injuries to his mouth.

Peggy Ovire, however, claimed in her own defence on Instagram Stories that Arimoro became aggressive first. She alleges he assaulted her production manager and driver, who she claimed was left bleeding from the ear, after only being asked to film "just two quick scenes."

The controversy has grown more intense since CCTV footage appeared online on November 13. The clip seems to show Ovire and her crew surrounding Arimoro's car during a heated argument, with some physical contact visible. Although the footage is poor quality and doesn't clearly show who started the violence, it has caused public outrage.

The AGN officially stated; 

“The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has expressed deep concern over a disturbing video and voice note currently trending online, showing an actor being brutally assaulted by a producer and members of her crew on a film set.

“As an association of professional performers, the AGN unequivocally condemns the inhumane and degrading treatment meted out to the actor.

"No actor, under any circumstances, should be subjected to physical assault, intimidation, or any form of abuse in the course of professional engagement. Such behaviour is not only unacceptable but also highly unethical and contrary to the standards and values of the Nigerian creative industry”. 

The guild urged practitioners to resolve disputes “with decorum, respect, and through the appropriate professional channels” rather than “violence or self-help.”

“The Guild strongly advises all practitioners within the motion picture industry to embrace lawful and civil means of conflict resolution rather than resorting to violence or self-help. Disputes arising on set or within production circles must be handled with decorum, respect, and through the appropriate professional channels”, the statement continued.

It announced that its National Task Force has launched a full investigation and called on the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) to identify the involved producer and impose disciplinary measures.

“While the AGN’s National Task Force has already commenced a full investigation into the incident, the Guild is also calling on the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) to urgently identify the producer involved and initiate appropriate disciplinary measures in line with their professional code of conduct.

“The Actors Guild of Nigeria remains committed to protecting the welfare, dignity, and safety of all actors and shall continue to collaborate with sister guilds and associations to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in the Nigerian film industry”. 

 As of now, neither party has apologised publicly, nor has the AGN reaffirmed its commitment to protecting actors’ “welfare, dignity, and safety.”