The National Film and Video Censors Board has said that it will not overlook any creative work that abuses or denigrates religious or cultural sensibilities.
It said this as it reacted to an alarm by the Muslim Rights Action that niqab has been wrongly used in a robbery scene in a movie starring popular actress, Nancy Isime.
She had shared a photo of it on Instagram on Monday.
The Muslim Rights Concern in a statement signed by the Executive Director, of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday, called for the ban on the yet-to-be-released movie.
MURIC described the movie as ‘satanic’, adding that it depicts Muslim women as criminals and incites the public against them.
“Our check revealed that the movie has not been released, and it has not been submitted to the NFVCB for classification as required by law and our mandate.
“However, we have been able to reach the producers of the film and have taken steps to address the concerns raised with the producers.”
Husseini stressed that the agency will not tolerate any film or video content that disrespects religious, cultural, or ethnic sensibilities.
It read further, “We restate that as a classification agency, the NFVCB will not overlook any film or video works, including dramatized short contents (skits) that abuse, denigrate, or undermine religious, cultural and ethnic sensibilities.
“We commit to contributing to the positive transformation of the Nigerian society through classification of films and video works whilst balancing the need to preserve freedom of expression within the law, and limit social, cultural and religious harm caused by films.”
The National Film and Video Censors Board is the regulatory body set up by Act No.85 of 1993 to regulate the film and video industry in Nigeria.
The Board is empowered by law to classify all films and videos whether imported or produced locally.
