The ongoing conflict involving actor Taye Arimoro, producer Peggy Ovire, and three of Nollywood’s most influential guilds has become one of the industry’s most polarising disputes in recent years.
What began as a routine filming day on the set of ‘Pieces of Love’ exploded into a public crisis after Arimoro went on social media in October to claim he had been physically assaulted. From there, each development—CCTV releases, guild investigations, a joint disciplinary statement, and finally, a legal threat has exposed deeper questions about power, governance, and accountability in Nollywood.
This timeline breaks down exactly how the situation escalated and why it has become a defining moment for Nollywood’s labour landscape.
October 12: Taye Arimoro Goes Public With Assault Allegations
On October 12, actor Taye Arimoro took to social media, livestreaming from the set of ‘Pieces of Love’. In the video, he alleged that producer and actress Peggy Ovire physically assaulted him during an on-set confrontation.
Hours later, CCTV footage from the estate where the production was taking place surfaced online, intensifying public debate about what actually happened and who instigated the altercation.
November 28: The Three Guilds Release a Joint Decision
On November 28, the AGN, DGN, and AMP issued a joint statement—one that repeatedly misspelt his name as “Taiye Ayimoro”. The statement presented the guilds’ conclusions and announced industry-wide sanctions.
What the Guilds Claimed Their Investigations Found
- Arimoro was identified as the primary aggressor, alleged to have assaulted the Production Manager and the driver.
- His livestream was described as misleading, damaging Peggy Ovire’s reputation.
- The director, PM, and crew were said to have acted appropriately.
Sanctions Imposed on Arimoro
- Suspension from all Nollywood productions until further notice.
- A mandatory public apology to the PM, Ovire, and the director.
- A corrective video explaining the “real” sequence of events.
- A requirement to return to set and complete two outstanding scenes under supervision.
- Full compliance with any additional directives from the guilds.
Sanctions Imposed on Peggy Ovire
Although the guilds stated that Ovire did not initiate the initial onset conflict, they faulted her for escalating the situation when she followed Arimoro to the estate gate.
She was instructed to:
- Submit letters of apology to all guilds.
- Sign a written undertaking promising better personnel control on future sets.
- Apologise to the estate management where the altercation continued.
December 3 — Arimoro Responds Through His Lawyers and Rejects Everything
On December 3, Arimoro’s legal team issued a strongly worded response challenging the legitimacy of the guilds’ findings and sanctions. The tone was unequivocal: the guilds had no right, no jurisdiction, and no legal footing to discipline him.
Here are the core elements of the legal response:
The Guilds Misspelled His Name Throughout
His lawyers highlighted the repeated spelling of his name as “Taiye Ayimoro” as a “fundamental error” that undercut the credibility and seriousness of the entire process.
The Guilds Cannot Discipline a Non-Member
Arimoro is not a member of AGN, DGN, or AMP.
The response asserts that the guilds have:
- No authority to investigate him
- No authority to summon him
- No authority to sanction or suspend him
- No authority to order industry members not to work with him
He Was Not Given Any Form of Fair Hearing
According to his lawyers, the DGN invited him only for a fact-finding meeting, not a disciplinary hearing. He cooperated voluntarily because it was presented as non-punitive. The shift from “fact-finding” to “disciplinary decision” was described as deceptive and invalid.
The statement argues that:
- He was not allowed to defend himself.
- The guilds never disclosed the evidence they relied on.
- AMP never contacted him at all, yet participated in imposing sanctions.
The Industry-Wide Ban Violates His Constitutional Rights
The directive ordering guild members not to work with him was framed as a violation of:
- His freedom of association under Section 40.
- His rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Their Demands
The Guilds’ Actions Amount to Career Sabotage. The legal team describes the suspension and public directives as malicious attempts to harm his career, damage his reputation, and cause economic loss.
The guilds were given 24 hours to:
- Retract their entire statement
- Apologize to Arimoro
- Publish the retraction and apology publicly
Failure to comply would trigger a lawsuit seeking ₦1 billion in damages.
What Happens Next?
As of now:
- The guilds’ sanctions remain publicly available.
- Arimoro has positioned himself for a major legal battle.
- The dispute has expanded from an on-set altercation into a full confrontation over power, jurisdiction, and constitutional rights within Nollywood.
Whether the guilds retract their statement or prepare for litigation may define industry governance for years to come. Arimoro’s fight with the guilds has struck a nerve in Nollywood not simply because of the lawsuits, but because many actors—some of the industry’s most recognisable faces—have begun openly showing support for him. Their reactions reveal a deep, simmering frustration with guild politics, opaque disciplinary structures, and the fear that creatives can be strong-armed into conformity. For actors who depend on directors for work, mentorship, and career visibility, this case symbolises the importance of protecting collaborators who speak up, rather than watching them be isolated.
Beyond Arimoro, the outcome of this battle could reshape how power is negotiated within Nollywood’s guild system. A ruling in his favour may open the door for overdue reforms, greater accountability, and clearer protections for both directors and actors who challenge unfair treatment. But if the DGN emerges unscathed, it could reinforce long-standing hierarchies that many creatives already view with distrust. Either way, this moment has forced the industry to confront uncomfortable truths about governance, solidarity, and the kind of working culture Nollywood wants to build as it continues its global ascent.
