Eyewitness Clarification: Why the Director and Production Bear No Responsibility
In the days following the tragic loss of James Akaie, it has become necessary to clarify certain facts—not to assign blame or diminish a life well lived, but to ensure truth, fairness, and accuracy prevail.
As someone present on the production and in close proximity to the events of that day, I can state clearly and without ambiguity that the director and producer of the project did not approve, authorize, or endorse the use of live special effects or pyrotechnics at any point during this production.
From the earliest production meetings through to on-set briefings, the director—James Abinibi—was firm and consistent in his instruction: all special effects for the project were to be executed strictly through visual effects (VFX). This decision was not casual; it was intentional, safety-driven, and aligned with his vision to push Nollywood forward technologically without exposing cast or crew to unnecessary risk.
This directive was openly communicated and well known among:
Principal actors
Supporting actors and extras
Department heads
Crew members present on set
Multiple individuals on the production can attest to this instruction. It was neither disputed nor ambiguous.
On the day of the incident, filming was proceeding under normal, controlled conditions. No live special effects were being staged, rehearsed, or filmed. The active film set remained calm and compliant with production guidelines.
The tragic experiment that led to James Akaie’s death occurred outside the film set, in a separate area that was not part of the scheduled shoot and not under the director’s immediate supervision at that moment. It was not a filmed scene, not a rehearsal, and not an approved production activity.
This distinction is critical.
James Akaie was widely admired for his creativity and drive. His desire to innovate and experiment came from a genuine passion for the craft. However, this particular experiment was undertaken independently, without clearance, and contrary to the standing directive that prohibited live pyrotechnics.
Notably present on set were respected actors Gabriel Afolayan and Uzor Arukwe, both of whom were fully aware of the established safety rules and production guidelines governing the project. Like all cast and crew members, they were informed of—and can attest to—the Director/Producer’s clear and repeated insistence that no live pyrotechnics or practical special effects were to be used at any point during filming, due to the inherent risks involved. This directive formed a core part of the project’s safety framework and was widely understood across the production.
Actors, extras, and crew members present that day are witnesses to the fact that:
Live special effects were not part of the approved production plan
The director had explicitly rejected their use
The incident did not occur on the active film set
To suggest otherwise would be inaccurate and unfair.
The director and production team responded with urgency, compassion, and full cooperation with emergency responders and authorities. Since then, they have continued to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations, while also respecting the privacy and grief of James Akaie’s family.
This clarification is not offered in defense of ambition or experimentation, but in defense of truth.
James Akaie should be remembered for his talent, curiosity, and contributions—not as the center of misplaced assumptions. And the director and production team should not be burdened with responsibility for an act that was neither sanctioned nor within the scope of the production.
In moments of tragedy, clarity matters. So does fairness.
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