By Emmanuel Adigwe
Veteran director, Lancelot Imasuen, has been accused of sexual assault.
The Director of Invasion 1897 is the latest to be accused of sexual harassment.
His accuser, Sylvia Oluchi, has accused the popular director of groping her during a film shoot in 2008. She stated this in a whatsapp group chat, filmic.
Sylvia wrote: “When we were filming Bent Arrows back in 2008 in Abuja. You told me to come to your room in the hotel after shoot at night (we were all camped in the same hotel). You made some moves, when I refused, you physically pinned me to the bed and shoved your tongue down my mouth while squeezing my boobs.”
She also stated that her tears forced the veteran director to change his mind.
The actress also confirmed the accusation in a telephone conversation, stating that she was not the only one as others too have suffered similar fate.
Reacting, Imasuen stated that important stakeholders in the industry are currently on the matter.
He concluded: “It is still a private matter so I am not in a position to make a statement. The group chat where the accusation was made is a private one and the group’s admins have set up a committee to investigate the allegation. “So, while I am surprised as anybody else-it is from 13 years ago, I have been advised to be quiet. It is an industry thing for now and cannot be made public.”