Actor Taye Arimoro has rejected the disciplinary action issued against him by three major Nollywood bodies following his on-set altercation with actress Peggy Ovire during the production of the film Pieces of Love.
The Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), and Association of Movie Producers (AMP) had jointly announced his suspension last week. But Arimoro, through a formal letter from his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has described the move as unlawful and without any legal foundation.
Effiong argued that the sanctions are “procedurally improper, legally indefensible, and constitutionally void,” insisting that the guilds acted outside their authority. He noted that the suspension letter even misidentified his client as “Taiye Ayimoro” instead of Taiwo Arimoro — a mistake he says reflects a lack of credibility and due process.
A central point in Arimoro’s objection is that he is not a registered member of any of the three guilds. According to Effiong, that fact alone makes the disciplinary action unenforceable. “No association can discipline or regulate someone who is not its member,” he wrote, calling the decision an unlawful interference with Arimoro’s career.
The lawyer also accused the guilds of failing to provide evidence, denying his client a fair hearing, and violating his right to freedom of association. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the sanctions, a written apology, and a public statement from all three guilds within 24 hours.
If the guilds do not comply, Arimoro is prepared to seek ₦1 billion in damages through legal action. Effiong warned that litigation would begin without further notice, urging the bodies to correct what he described as “a grave injustice.”
