The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has clarified the reasons behind the Guild’s decision not to pursue legal action against filmmaker Adanma Luke following the tragic death of actor Junior Pope in a boat accident on April 10, 2024.
Pope lost his life while returning from the set of Adanma’s movie Other Side of Life.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, the AGN suspended Adanma for breaching safety protocols and instituted a temporary ban on filming in riverine locations and boat-related scenes. However, the ban on Adanma was lifted in August.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE TV, Rollas revealed that legal advisors concluded that the AGN lacked the “locus” to sue.
“Our legal adviser explained that the Guild could not sue based on the contract Junior Pope signed with the producer. Only his direct family or wife could initiate legal proceedings,” he stated.
Rollas also highlighted an additional complication: Junior Pope was not up-to-date with his AGN membership dues at the time of his death.
“We discovered that Junior Pope, though a prominent actor, was not a due-paying member for over a year before his passing,” Rollas said.
This revelation has spurred calls for industry reforms. Rollas emphasized the Guild’s plans to introduce actor licensing and enhance compensation structures.
“We are working on creating a licensing system for actors, ensuring they meet certain requirements to access benefits. This will bring structure to the industry and provide the necessary support to actors in need,” he explained.
Rollas further stressed the importance of professionalizing the Nigerian film industry to avoid future tragedies and improve working conditions.
“Licensing will ensure accountability and eligibility for benefits, while safeguarding our members and strengthening the industry,” he concluded.
The AGN remains committed to reforming the industry, even as it mourns the loss of one of its most beloved members.