Rights group blame Junior Pope’s, others death on Govt negligence
By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
Authorities should be held responsible for the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, the Nigerian Human Rights Community, NHRC has said.
The coalition said lack of official responsibility was responsible for the death of the actor.
Two others who were on the boat with the actor were feared dead.
An official of the rights group, Taiwo Adeleye said it was wrong for the Anambra State Government to have allowed boats operate in the state without lifejackets.
“The Actor was killed by the system we operate. There was no reason why the Governments at state and Federal levels should not insist on the use of life jackets. What has happened reflect the lack of respect for human lives across Nigeria, both at state and Federal levels”, Adeleye said
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, has confirmed that the Actor died after a two boats collided on the River Niger in Anambra State.
Mr Rollas said it was widely believed that Junior Pope survived the accident when slight movements of his fingers were noticed on Wednesday.Adeleye said apart from the lack of life jackets, the absence of immediate medicare also added to his death
Junior Pope was born on May 7, 1984, in Cameroon but moved to Nigeria at a young age.
He was a Nigerian model who had acted in scenes playing criminal, villain, armed robbery militant and hitman roles.
In widely circulated video which he shot before his death, he was seen warning the canoe driver to be more cautious that he was his parent’s only son.
Shortly, the accident took place. Three others on the boat were yet to be found as at press time.
The late actors had acted in films with people like Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku and Jerry Amilo.
