Nollywood actor Taye Arimoro has issued a detailed account of the confrontation between him and actress-producer Peggy Ovire, an incident that has now triggered legal action, industry sanctions and conflicting narratives from both sides.
In a formal complaint supported by a demand letter dated 18 November, Arimoro claims that the incident occurred shortly after his contract on the film Pieces of Love expired at 11:59 p.m. on 11 November 2025. He states that he had worked for more than thirteen consecutive hours and attempted to leave the production location, but his vehicle was allegedly blocked by the production manager and another car at the estate gate.
Arimoro maintains that it was at this point that tensions escalated. He alleges that Ovire and members of her team confronted him, leading to a physical altercation in which he suffered a fractured jaw, bite injuries, bruises and damage to his teeth. He also claims his tyres were deflated and his phone tampered with during the clash. According to him, CCTV footage from the estate and videos taken immediately after the incident support his account.
The actor is demanding a public apology from Ovire across her social media platforms and ₦100 million in damages. His legal team argues that his rights to dignity, liberty and freedom of movement were violated.
Ovire has denied initiating the confrontation. In her response, she alleges that Arimoro became aggressive after refusing to film two short scenes needed to complete the day’s shoot. She claims that the actor assaulted her crew, including the production manager and her driver, who she says suffered an ear injury. Ovire maintains that any intervention on her part was intended to protect her team.
The dispute has drawn the attention of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, the Directors Guild and the Association of Movie Producers. After reviewing reports from both camps, the three bodies jointly suspended Arimoro, describing him as the primary aggressor. They directed him to issue public apologies, return to complete any outstanding scenes under supervision and comply with any further disciplinary measures.
Although Ovire was cleared of instigating violence, she was asked to provide written assurances on improved set management and to address concerns about the conduct of her driver.
The confrontation, which began as a production dispute, has now widened into a legal and professional reckoning for both parties. Industry observers note that the case may influence how on-set disputes are handled in Nollywood, especially in relation to workplace safety, actors’ welfare and accountability.
