“AGN didn’t have jurisdiction to sue Adanma Luke” – Emeka Rollas

In a recent interview with Arise TV, Emeka Rollas, President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), clarified the guild’s position regarding the suspension of Adanma Luke following the untimely passing of actor Junior Pope. This incident had sparked controversy within the industry, leading to Luke's suspension by the AGN. However, the suspension has now been lifted, and Rollas shed light on the guild’s limited legal standing in the matter.

Rollas explained that Junior Pope's contract with Adanma Luke placed legal authority solely in the hands of his family. According to the contract, Pope, as a contracted actor and not a paying member of the AGN, was beyond the jurisdiction of the guild for any legal proceedings. This distinction meant that the guild had no legal grounds to take action against Luke, leaving the responsibility to the late actor’s family to pursue any claims.

“From the contract Junior Pope signed with Adanma Luke, AGN didn’t have the legal right to sue her—only the deceased’s family can,” Rollas remarked, emphasizing the guild's jurisdictional constraints in this tragic situation.

This clarification brings an important distinction to light regarding the legal limitations faced by industry unions, especially in cases involving freelance contracts where actors may not be formal members of such organizations.