TAMPAN has suspended Yomi Fabiyi for his newly released film “Oko Iyabo,” which many believe trivializes a girl’s sexual assault.

“TAMPAN suspends Yomi Fabiyi indefinitely for gross professional misconducts and unethical practices,” the Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association said in a statement on Friday, July 9.

The statement read in part, “Having listened to the detailed defence of Mr Yomi Fabiyi, who is the Producer/Director of the controversial film ‘Oko Iyabo’ and his Co-Director, Mr Dele Matti, the Ethic, Conflict and Resolution Committee hereby found them guilty of professional misconduct and unethical practices.

“Although Mr Yomi Fabiyi insisted that it is his fundamental human right to use his creative talent to produce films that will tell his own account of the trending issue but his Co-Director admitted his fault and regretted his involvement in the film.”

TAMPAN also objected to the use of the real names of the persons whose stories were based on in the film.

Unless “the work of art is a ‘Cinema Verite,’ no one is allowed to use a real name(s) of other people (s) in a feature film,” according to the association.

The statement continues: “Therefore, it is professional misconduct to use a real name(s), stories and factual events of the person(s) without their consent not to talk of a plot that is denigrating to that person.

“That the story, plot, theme, title, dialogue, names and general content of the film ‘Oko Iyabo’ is a factual presentation that may give rise to prejudice since the matter is already In court.

“His misconducts and unethical practices have impacted negatively on the image and reputation of our association. His Co-Director Mr Dele Matti having shown remorse and admitted his guilt is hereby suspended for 3months.”

TAMPAN also stated that the film’s actors have been asked to testify before the Ethics, Conflict, and Resolution Committee on July 24, 2021.

The movie was initially uploaded to YoutTube but was taken down after it was reported.

Yomi took to his Instagram page to respond to the suspension. He wrote; “I am originally ANTP member. Worst case I will renew my membership there. I have never obtain or sign any form with TAMPAN or joined any guild. I was made to pay for registration which I did but no form collected or formal procedure.

“The letter is inappropriate, not valid for me as a filmmaker. Any reaction if necessary will be based on Human Rights Violation if I so wish to seek judicial redress. You don’t lose what you never had.”