Nollywood just served us another reminder that the drama on screen sometimes pales in comparison to what happens behind the camera.
On November 28, 2025, the three most powerful guilds in the Nigerian film industry the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), and Association of Movie Producers (AMP) jointly slammed actor Taye Arimoro (also known as Taiye Ayimoro) with an indefinite nationwide production ban following a violent on-set incident on the movie Pieces of Love.
The joint disciplinary committee's verdict was brutal and unambiguous:
- Taye Arimoro is suspended from ALL Nollywood productions until further notice.
- He must issue public apologies to Peggy Ovire, the assaulted production manager (Luke Obayi), the driver (Joshua Madu), and the guilds themselves.
- He is required to return to set and complete his unfinished scenes but only under strict supervision.
- Peggy Ovire, who produced the film, was cleared of starting the physical fight but was still directed to tender written apologies for failing to de-escalate the situation professionally.
The guilds made it clear: there is zero tolerance for violence, harassment, or any form of misconduct on Nollywood sets.
What Actually Happened on the Set of Pieces of Love?
According to reports and the guilds' investigation, the trouble started when Taye Arimoro attempted to leave location after believing he had completed his scenes. Peggy Ovire allegedly blocked his vehicle with hers and insisted he stay for additional shots. Words were exchanged. Things escalated fast.
Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage (which has been circulating online) reportedly show a chaotic confrontation at the estate gate. Taye is accused of assaulting the production manager, head-butting Peggy's driver, and causing injuries. He then allegedly went live on social media with a version of events the guilds later described as “false and misleading.”
Peggy Ovire, on her part, has maintained that Taye became aggressive and violent first, while Taye insists he was the one detained against his will and assaulted.
Taye Arimoro Rejects the Suspension – Calls It “Inaccurate and Biased”
The actor did not take the ban lying down.
In a swift response, Taye Arimoro rejected the guilds' statement in its entirety, describing it as “inaccurate” and claiming the decision was one-sided. He alleges that Peggy Ovire blocked his car, refused to let him leave, and that her team attacked him first. According to him, he was the real victim in the whole saga.
Many online have sided with Taye, pointing to the CCTV clips that appear to show Peggy's team surrounding and pushing him before the situation turned physical. Comments like “Peggy attacked him first!” and “This is pure injustice” have flooded timelines since yesterday.
Why Does This Feel Like a Pattern?
This isn't the first time Nollywood guilds have had to step in over on-set violence, but it's rare to see DGN, AGN, and AMP move this fast and this united. The speed of the investigation (completed within days) and the severity of the punishment suggest the industry is finally trying to clean house — or at least appear to.
But the backlash has been fierce. A lot of people are asking:
- If the CCTV shows Peggy's team initiating contact, why is Taye the only one banned?
- Why must the victim (according to some) now publicly apologise?
- Is this really about protecting actors… or protecting certain producers?
The fact that Peggy Ovire only got a slap-on-the-wrist apology letter while Taye's entire career is on ice has left a bitter taste for many.
The Bigger Picture
Nollywood is growing fast, pulling in international attention and bigger budgets than ever. But incidents like this expose the ugly underbelly: power imbalance between producers and actors, unprofessional behaviour on set, and the wild-west nature of location shoots.
When an actor can be physically detained on set and things turn violent, something is deeply broken.
The guilds say they have zero tolerance. Now they have to prove it isn't selective.
For now, Taye Arimoro is effectively blacklisted. No producer, director, or marketer under DGN, AGN, or AMP can legally work with him until the ban is lifted.
Will he apologise and return to finish Pieces of Love under supervision?
Will the guilds reconsider once the public outcry grows louder?
Or will this become another case of “one rule for the powerful, another for everyone else”?
One thing is certain: Nollywood Twitter will be eating good for the next week.
What do you think fair punishment or industry witchcraft?
(And yes, we’re watching this space very closely. Updates loading…)