CurrentReport Blog The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has revealed why the guild could not take legal action against actress and producer Adanma Luke following the death of actor Junior Pope.
In a recent interview on Arise TV, Rollas explained that despite earlier plans to sue, the AGN’s legal team determined that the guild lacked the legal standing to initiate a lawsuit. This was because Junior Pope was not a dues-paying member of the guild at the time of his passing.
Reasons Behind AGN’s Decision
According to Rollas, the contract signed by Junior Pope with the producer explicitly gave the right to sue to the actor’s direct family or wife.
“Our legal adviser clarified that based on the contract Junior Pope signed, the AGN does not have the locus standi to sue. Only his direct family or wife has the right to take legal action,” Rollas stated.
Suspension of Adanma Luke
The AGN had earlier suspended Adanma Luke over alleged negligence related to Junior Pope’s death. While the suspension remains in place, the guild has refrained from legal proceedings against her due to the legal limitations.
Plans for Guild Restructuring
Rollas also highlighted ongoing efforts to restructure the AGN to avoid similar challenges in the future. This includes plans to license actors and enforce dues payment.
“We are working on restructuring the guild, learning from global practices. Soon, we will begin licensing actors. Unfortunately, Junior Pope, at the time of his death, was not a dues-paying member of the guild. He hadn’t paid dues for over a year,” Rollas added.
Impact on the Industry
The incident has sparked discussions about the welfare and rights of actors within the Nigerian film industry. Rollas emphasized the importance of reforming the guild’s structure to better protect its members and address contractual disputes effectively.
As the AGN moves forward with its restructuring plans, it aims to strengthen its legal and administrative framework to ensure the welfare of actors and prevent future challenges. Meanwhile, the responsibility for any legal action concerning Junior Pope’s death lies with his family.
