The world of the Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has been rocked by a recent announcement of the suspension of actress Halima Abubakar by the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). The move follows allegations of professional misconduct and defamation by the actress.
According to a statement posted on the AGN Instagram page, Abubakar’s suspension comes after a two-year undercover investigation into her involvement in defaming her Nollywood colleagues and other prominent personalities. The actress is accused of spreading false information, including allegations of extramarital affairs involving influential people.
The statement reads: “Following the thorough investigation report by the Special Secret Investigation Panel, it was discovered that Miss Halima Abubakar was the originator of the defamatory information that had been circulating since 2022. Consequently, she has been suspended indefinitely and will face the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.”
While suspended, Abubakar is barred from participating in any AGN activity or filming. The AGN also revealed that other female members are being investigated, particularly over rumours of their relationship with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The move comes after the April verdict in the case where Abubakar was ordered to pay damages to Apostle Suleman, after accusing him of breaking a promise of marriage and causing her serious illness. In response, Suleman filed a N1 billion lawsuit against the actress for defamation in January 2023.
The case raises questions about the accountability of public figures and highlights the importance of verifying information before disseminating it. It also highlights the challenges faced by those in the film industry when it comes to reputation and professional integrity.