The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has reacted to the news of actor, Moses Armstrong’s return to the movie set despite being suspended over an alleged rape of a minor. The actor himself fired back in response to AGN.
The Abuja Connection actor was suspended by the guild after he was arrested in June for allegedly raping a minor. He was thereafter charged with rape, intimidation, conspiracy, and supplying of drugs or instruments to procure abortion.
The AGN had said Armstrong will remain suspended pending when the police round up the investigation on the matter.
Defying the guild’s directive, Moses took to his Facebook page on Wednesday to share photos of himself at a movie location.
According to the actor who was recently granted bail, the movie is titled A Walk Away. It also features fellow Akwa Ibom actor Okon Lagos. He captioned the photos:
“My First Movie Set After My Incarceration. #BackStrongerBetterAndLouder…. #AWalkAway The The Movie. Director… John Henry Offixial.Producer…. #ImaobongUdoh.”
In reaction, the AGN National President, Emeka Rollas, noted that the actor is still suspended.
According to Premium Times, Rollas said that despite his release, the Guild would not lift his suspension without following due process. He said:
“We don’t just lift suspension without getting proper information from the right channels.
“As a Guild, we follow the procedure. We also have our committee that will investigate the charges levelled against him. Their findings will determine whether his suspension will be lifted.”
On whether the Guild will penalise him for going on location despite his suspension, Mr Rollas noted that a task force is charged with that responsibility. He said:
“That will depend on the task force. As a Guild, we don’t bother ourselves with small matters like that.”
In his reaction, the embattled actor fired back, noting that he was unaware of any suspension.
Moses Armstrong said he did not receive formal communication from the AGN stating his suspension.
He said that he only saw it on social media like everyone else. In his words:
“I was not given any such letter. The National President of the body has not called me, even after my release from prison.
“Even the Chairman of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Idongesit Ani Jonah, did not receive any communication from the national body.
My lawyer is not aware; my manager is not aware; nobody is aware of any suspension.”
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls after his release on bail, Moses took to Facebook to celebrate and thank those who stood by him during the ordeal. He also denied the rape allegation.
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