Chief Emeka Rollas, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), was arrested and detained by the police in Umuahia, Abia State, following a dispute over the leadership of the AGN’s Abia State chapter.
The arrest stems from Rollas' alleged involvement in the imposition of an unelected chairman for the Abia chapter, bypassing the duly elected chairman, David Onyebuchi Amalaha. Amalaha had been elected as chairman on May 20, 2023, but his leadership has faced challenges, with the national executive attempting to impose interim leaders, leading to a series of legal battles.
Members of the guild, including Chika Okezie, Egwuatu Daniel, and Nathaniel Nwoko, have publicly criticized Rollas for exacerbating divisions within the Abia chapter. They allege that Rollas has appointed multiple interim chairmen since 2023, ignoring the wishes of local members.
Tensions escalated on Thursday when Rollas convened a meeting in Umuahia without consulting Amalaha or other key stakeholders. The meeting quickly turned chaotic as protests erupted, prompting police intervention to restore order.
A petition was filed against Rollas at the Zone 9 police headquarters, leading to his detention alongside Emmanuel Ehumadu, also known as Labista. The situation highlights the ongoing rift within the AGN and the growing discontent among its members over leadership issues in the Abia chapter.
