Actor Olaoluwa Lawal’s tragic death prompts calls for justice amidst silence

Two weeks after actor Olaoluwa Lawal’s tragic death on a movie set, silence from authorities sparks outrage, with calls for police investigation and industry accountability

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]laoluwa Lawal Death continues to be shrouded in a disturbing silence. Two weeks after the tragic passing of this vibrant, promising actor and crucial family breadwinner, relevant authorities and industry bodies have noticeably failed to speak or act.

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This lack of response is not merely disappointing; it appears inhumane.

Ola’s death occurred while he was on a movie set. The conditions surrounding his passing raise serious questions about safety protocols.

Crucially, there were no adequate safety measures implemented. No villagers or emergency assistance were present at that late hour of 10 pm.

There were no divers available. No visible support system existed. He was seemingly left to die, a death that could have been easily avoided with proper foresight.

Even more disturbing, filming reportedly continued on that same set just hours after Ola passed away, as if nothing untoward had happened.

This behaviour transcends mere disrespect; it is a blatant disregard for human life. To this day, Bola Akande, the film’s producer for “Evil in Me,” has not issued any public statement.

There has been no acknowledgment from her, nor any expression of sympathy. Furthermore, she reportedly visited Ola’s grieving father a full ten days after his death.

During this visit, she allegedly offered no answers, only complaints about seeing his pictures frequently on social media platforms.

This prevailing silence is not only deafening; it is deeply suspicious.

This is not the time for politics or PR. This is a matter of human life.

We now call on the Nigerian Police Force to immediately open an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ola’s death.

There must be accountability for this tragedy. We also call on all relevant film industry guilds to break their silence and take decisive action.

These include the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), and the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN).

This moment demands immediate action, not political maneuvering or public relations tactics. This is fundamentally a matter of human life that requires urgent attention.

To compound the gravity of the situation, the production team has yet to formally visit Ola’s family, despite the tragic loss occurring directly on their set.

This raises a critical question: what message are we inadvertently sending to other young creatives entering this industry? Are we suggesting that their lives do not matter?

Ola Lawal was much more than just an actor; he was a beloved son, a supportive brother, a dedicated breadwinner, and a truly creative genius whose light was extinguished far too soon.

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He deserves significantly more than this cold, unsettling silence. We will not be silenced. We will persistently demand justice, accountability, and a proper burial for Ola.