The Kano State Film Censorship Board has recently announced that any films depicting or promoting cross-dressing and thuggery will not be permitted within the state, as revealed by the Board’s executive secretary, Abba El-Mustapha, during a meeting with Kannywood management and stakeholders.
According to a statement from the board’s spokesman, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, this decision was made in light of concerns raised by the public regarding the potential negative impact of such films on young people, including the possible encouragement of criminal activities and inappropriate behaviors.
El-Mustapha emphasized the importance of safeguarding the state’s customs, norms, and values by removing any films that could undermine them in the pursuit of popularity, viewership, or profit, stressing the need for responsible filmmaking practices.
Read Also: There is no legal restriction on cross-dressing – PRO
This directive comes at a time when the Nigeria Police Force clarified that cross-dressing is not considered a criminal offense under Nigerian law, as stated by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who mentioned that individuals like Bobrisky cannot be arrested for their choice of clothing.
However, Adejobi highlighted that while cross-dressing may not be illegal, it may not necessarily align with societal norms, indicating that law enforcement agencies are obligated to uphold the law and cannot arrest individuals solely based on their lifestyle choices or fashion preferences.