Ekpeki Allegations
Updated 10/29/24 to add ASFS statement.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) made the following announcement on October 28, 2024, regarding the removal of Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki from the board of directors.
On 10/27/2024, the Board met to discuss multiple ethics complaints regarding Director-at-Large Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki after hearing statements from various parties involved. Mr. Ekpeki was also given a chance to speak to the Board regarding these complaints. After due consideration, and in compliance with Article V(5)(iii) of the SFWA Bylaws, the Board voted unanimously to remove Director-at-Large Ekpeki from his position on the SFWA Board of Directors for good and sufficient cause, effective immediately.
The Board will not be answering questions on this matter to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
Multiple allegations of unethical and unprofessional behavior by Ekpeki have recently come to light, including in this report by author and editor Erin Cairns, and in comments by other industry professionals on social media.
On October 29, 2024, the African Speculative Fiction Society (ASFS) released the following statement:
We are aware of the specific allegations regarding ethics violations and appropriation reported, and other public concerns, related to one of our members and Nommo award recipient, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki.
We are also aware of the investigation and decision made by SFWA, however, we have not received complete information from all the parties involved, or a response from Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki.
As a membership organization of African writers and artists, we are committed to upholding standards that foster respect and integrity, and do not condone behaviour that causes harm or risk to any person, in any form, nor practices that seek to appropriate and erase other authors’ work, or any other allegations.
As an urgent response, the ASFS is committed to create a space for our members to come forward with any concerns, and an opportunity for Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki to respond.
We will be setting up a series of workshops for our members to discuss Codes of Conduct and fair practice in publishing. This will offer guidance on commercial publishing including contracts, processes, and rights – the benefits, the opportunities and the costs.
A direct outcome of these workshops will be a new ASFS Code of Conduct providing clear ethical guidance which will be circulated to our members for voting and to add to our Charter.
We will update this story as more information comes to light.
While you are here, please take a moment to support Locus with a one-time or recurring donation. We rely on reader donations to keep the magazine and site going, and would like to keep the site paywall free, but WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT to continue quality coverage of the science fiction and fantasy field.
©Locus Magazine. Copyrighted material may not be republished without permission of LSFF.
