Ope Banwo raises concerns over verdict on Taye Arimoro and Peggy Ovire rift, proffers solution

• From left: Nollywood Actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo; Group Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi; Nollywood Actress, Kate Henshaw; Chief Finance Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Zhigang Ke, and Commercial Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Gbenga Onimowo, during the premiere of a thematic campaign, “Beyond Building” in Lagos, Nigeria.

Popular movie producer and public commentator, Dr, Ope Banwo has expressed concerns about the joint verdict in the conflict between Taye Arimoro and Peggy Ovire on the set of ‘Pieces of Love.’

In a letter addressed to Dr. Queen Ebigieson, President, Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and members of the executive council with the title: Re: Formal Concerns About The Joint Guild Verdict In The Taye Arimoro Vs Peggy Ovire Matter – And Proposals For Urgent Producer-Led Reforms, Banwo highlights seven key areas of concern.

Dr Banwo highlighted the perception of one-sided punishment, lack of condemnation of unlawful restraint, missed opportunities to reinforce producer responsibility, contradiction between ‘not culpable’ and required apologies/undertakings, negative signal to actors, crew and estates about working with producers, exposure of structural gaps – no shared, enforced on-set conduct and safety code and reputational and legal risk for AMP and its members.

However, Banwo, who is also a legal practitioner, business consultant and founder, Aixflix360 and Nollywood Fanatics, proposed seven reforms for AMP to champion and these include:

On-Set Conduct and Safety Code: Develop and publish a clear code of conduct for producers, production managers, and security personnel.

Unlawful Detention: Explicitly outlaw unlawful detention by production teams and impose sanctions for violations.

Mandatory Training: Introduce compulsory training for producers and production managers on law, ethics, and conflict management.

Independent Review Panel: Establish an independent review panel for serious incidents involving AMP members.

Balanced Sanctions: Impose balanced sanctions for all parties involved in on-set violence.

Standard Contracts: Champion standardized contracts with clear clauses on working hours, overtime, and welfare minimums.

Confidential Reporting System: Establish a safe and anonymous reporting system for violence, intimidation, or unsafe practices.

“I reiterate that I write as a committed, relatively new member who loves this industry and has invested heavily in it. My only desire is to see AMP grow in respect, credibility and moral authority, so that when we speak, the entire ecosystem knows that we stand on the side of fairness, safety and best practice,” he said.

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In all, Banwo requests that AMP leadership review their role in the joint verdict, consider a more balanced reconsideration of sanctions, and champion the proposed reforms to enhance professionalism and safety in Nollywood.