The Kano state film censorship board has prohibited movies promoting crossdressing and thuggery across the state.
Abba El-Mustapha, the board’s executive secretary, announced the directive during a meeting with the management and stakeholders from Kannywood.
In a statement released by Abdullahi Sulaiman, the board’s spokesperson, El-Mustapha described such films as “demoralizing” to the “customs, norms and values” of the state.
He also said the decision to prohibit the films was made in response to concerns that young people may be negatively influenced and traditional values might be undermined.
“It is high time to fish out any film that may demoralize our customs, norms and values in the name of reaching popularity, viewers or business making,” he said.
The development comes amid the controversy trailing crossdressers — especially Bobrisky — in Nigeria.
There have been calls for her arrest, with the most recent coming after she controversially won the ‘best dressed female’ category at a Nollywood event.
The police however recently revealed that crossdressers cannot be arrested based on physical appearance.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, said crossdressing is not yet a punishable offence in Nigeria.
The police public relations officer (PPRO) added that crossdressers can only be prosecuted if they are “into something else that is criminal and punishable under the law”.
In April 2022, the house of representatives considered a bill seeking to prohibit crossdressing in Nigeria.
The bill aims to amend the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act (SSMPA) and defines crossdressing as the “practice of wearing clothes usually worn by a person of the opposite sex”.
The proposed amendment, however, provided an exception that the clauses “shall not apply to crossdressing in the course of a stage play or in any bona fide public entertainment”.
When passed into law, crossdressers may face up to six months in jail if they continue with their current practice.
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