By Bashir Mohammed Kano

A Kano-based Hausa Film producer, Alhaji Salisu Ali Chali, has been arraigned before a Kano state Magistrates’ Court, number 38, for allegedly releasing uncensored movie (name withheld) presently being sold in the market. Chali, who was dragged to the court by the Kano Censorship Board, was said to have his movie partially censored and asked to return it for complete censorship and issuance of license after making some amendments, but allegedly refused to comply with the board’s directives and went ahead to release the film.

The Board, the movie was allegedly said to have contained some illicit scenes which should not be sold to public without being censored, adding that the producer, after being directed to remove the illicit part of the movie, allegedly ended up removing two scenes that was supposed to be of benefit to the public. According to prosecution, the offence contravened Section 140 of the penal code as well as Section 100(2) of the Kano State Cinematography, licensing and regulation of the year 2000. But the accused, after hearing the charges, pleaded not guilty, arguing that his movie had already been censored at the board and given license to release the film.

However, the defence counsel, Barrister Umar Usman Danbaito, prayed for the court to grant bail to his client, citing section 36(5) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, which stipulates that “every person standing trial shall presumed to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.” He added that the accused would not jump-bail if his prayer was granted. Meanwhile, the trial senior Magistrate, Aminu Usman Fagge, adjourned the matter till December 30, 2015, for ruling on bail application and hearing and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

Reacting to the matter, Executive Secretary, Kano State Censorship Board, Sama’ila Na-Abba Afakallah, said the board would not relent in its efforts to rid of immorality in the state, stressing that whoever was found violating the board’s rules and regulation shall face the wrath of the law. He said stakeholders in the movie industry and its cohorts should heed to the calls of the board‎ on strict abidance to the law of the state, adding that the board “is up and doing to ensuring that morality is prevailed in the film contents and the state in general.”

http://www.blueprint.ng/2015/12/15/kannywood-producer-docked-over-uncensored-movie/