Junior Pope: Actors Guild Bans Riverine Shoots, Suspends Filmmaker Adanma Luke

Following the passing of actor Junior Pope Odonwodo, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) suspended filmmaker Adanma Luke and outlawed filming in regions near rivers.

Junior Pope was one of the people that perished in the sea after leaving a filming location for the Adanma-produced film "Another Side of Life." At Asaba, Delta State, at Cable Point on the River Niger, their boat overturned.

Although there were initial rumours that Junior Pope had been brought back to life, the AGN declared the actor deceased, which led them to halt filming in locations near rivers and on boats.

According to a statement released by the AGN president Emeka Rollas on Thursday, "The leadership of the Guild has taken the following decisions: (1) all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are currently suspended indefinitely; (2) no shoot on all locations Nationwide on Thursday, 11 April 2024."

"(3) Another Side of Life is a film that has been put on indefinite hold. (4) Until further notice, no actor is permitted to collaborate as a producer with Adamma Luke. May the souls of those who have passed away rest in peace while we continue to look for their bodies.

The action was taken after the AGN president, who had previously confirmed Junior Pope's death, declared the actor to be alive. However, he removed the post from his Instagram account a few hours later and replaced it with another that purported to confirm the actor's passing.

"How very terrible that our happiness was fleeting. I was so excited when we observed his tingling fingers that I wrote my first post. Despite their greatest efforts, he was unable to be revived by two renowned hospitals. "God is the ultimate judge," he posted on Instagram.

"In the end, we lost him. Three other corpses have not yet been located, but the body of Mr. Friday has been identified.