Legal Battle within the Actors Guild of Nigeria
A significant legal dispute has emerged within the Actors Guild of Nigeria, particularly concerning its Abia State chapter. David Amalaha, a member of the guild, has taken action by filing a suit in the Abia State Federal High Court located in Umuahia. The case seeks to annul the recent election that resulted in Ejezie Emeka Rollas being appointed as the National President of the guild, along with his executive team.
Details of the Lawsuit
In case number HC/UM/CS/92/2025, Amalaha has requested the court to prohibit Rollas and his executives from claiming to be the National Executives of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Additionally, he is seeking a court order requiring the return of all funds withdrawn from the guild’s account since 2019. Alternatively, he has asked for a compensation of 50 million naira for general damages.
Reasons Behind the Legal Action
Mr. Nwoko Nathaniel Udo-Chika, the AGN Project Director in Abia State, provided insights into the motivations for the legal action against Rollas. He accused Rollas of ignoring the duly elected executives of the guild in Abia State, alleging that he has instead appointed individuals close to him to lead the local chapter.
Udo-Chika highlighted that a prior election was conducted where David Onyebuchi Amalaha and his team were elected to the Abia AGN executive. However, he asserted that Rollas’s actions have undermined the local chapter, leading it into a state of disarray. He emphasized that the guild has faced ongoing legal challenges, pointing out a significant ruling made by Justice J.T. Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Lagos. This judgement, delivered on March 20, 2015, declared that the tenure of the Board of Trustees of the Actors Guild of Nigeria had expired.
Seeking Judicial Clarity
Amalaha’s legal team is now seeking clarification from the court regarding Rollas’s legitimacy to act as the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, given that the individuals who appointed him have been removed from their positions by a court ruling. Udo-Chika asserted that Rollas has openly defied court orders and continued to act in his capacity, rendering any of his actions potentially invalid. He further criticized Rollas for allegedly registering new members while suspending others, actions that contradict the guild’s constitution.
Rollas’s Response
In response to the lawsuit, Rollas acknowledged his awareness of the ongoing legal proceedings. He stated that his legal representatives are actively managing the situation on his behalf. Rollas criticized Amalaha and his supporters, claiming they are attempting to undermine the guild through illegitimate means. He argued that the judgement they referenced from 2015 has already been addressed and that the Board of Trustees was reconstituted following due process.
He further explained that the dissenting group in Abia State had not followed the proper procedures to gain leadership within the guild and that their attempts to challenge his presidency in court have been unsuccessful in the past. Rollas maintained that the guild has moved forward despite the challenges posed by those who did not adhere to the established protocols.
Conclusion
The unfolding legal dispute within the Actors Guild of Nigeria highlights significant tensions between different factions within the organization. As the court proceedings continue, the outcome may have profound implications for the governance and future direction of the guild. The situation remains dynamic, as both sides prepare for the next steps in this contentious legal battle. The resolution of these issues will likely shape the leadership landscape of the Actors Guild of Nigeria for the foreseeable future.
