NFVCB refers Linda Ikeji’s Apo Six film to SSS, suspends cinema release

Nigerian media entrepreneur and blogger Linda Ikeji has confirmed that the release of her upcoming film, “The Night of June 7th”, in Nigerian cinemas has been suspended pending clearance from the State Security Services (SSS).

Ms Ikeji produced the drama film, which was directed by Toka McBaror. The cast includes Gideon Okeke, Femi Branch, Ali Nuhu, and Charles Lenny, among others. The film was scheduled to open in cinemas nationwide on Friday.

“The Night of June 7th” is based on the true events surrounding the 2005 Apo Six killings, in which police officers shot dead six young Nigerians, Ifeanyi Ozo, Chinedu Meniru, Isaac Ekene, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwokike and Augustina Arebun, in Abuja.

In 2017, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the victims, aged between 21 and 25, were returning from a night party in 2005 when police officers allegedly killed them.

Five police officers, Danjuma Ibrahim, Othman Abdulsalami, Nicholas Zakaria, Ezekiel Acheneje and Baba Emmanuel, faced trial over the alleged extrajudicial killings before Justice Ishaq Bello of the FCT High Court.

Justice Bello later convicted Mr Acheneje and Mr Emmanuel and sentenced them to death for culpable homicide.

However, the court discharged and acquitted three other officers, including then-Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr Ibrahim, Mr Zakaria, and Mr Salami, for lack of sufficient evidence. A sixth accused officer, Mr Abdulsalam, remained at large throughout the case and had no legal representation.

This newspaper further reported that Justice Bello found insufficient evidence to convict Mr Danjuma, who allegedly ordered the shootings. The ruling marked another difficult chapter in the families’ long pursuit of justice, as they rejected the judgment and began efforts to appeal.

The police later confirmed to this newspaper that authorities reinstated Mr Danjuma into the force after the court acquitted him. The Police Service Commission approved his reinstatement based on the court’s finding that he was not culpable.

Mr Danjuma also regained his rank and received his accumulated salaries dating back to June 2005. A police memo published by Sahara Reporters also indicated that authorities planned to send him on a refresher course.

The killings remain one of the most harrowing cases of alleged extrajudicial killings in Nigeria’s recent history and sparked widespread public outrage at the time. The case further fuels concerns about police accountability and the pursuit of justice for victims of alleged extrajudicial killings.

Pending

However, in a statement posted on her Instagram page on Friday night, the blogger announced the film’s suspension.

She cited the sensitive nature of its story, which draws on the real-life accounts of the extrajudicial killings.

She wrote: “So our film, The Night of June 7th, which was scheduled for nationwide cinema release today, August 28th, has been put on hold pending DSS clearance, due to the sensitive nature of the story which is based on the real-life accounts of the ‘Apo Six’ extrajudicial killing of 2005.

“Whilst we continue to cooperate with the NFVCB and the DSS, we are determined to continue ‘telling our own stories’, else outsiders tell them without seeking our permission. The Night of June 7th will be worth the wait.”

NFVCB and SSS

The suspension came two days after the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) intervened to halt the film’s scheduled release, directing the suspension of its release, distribution and public exhibition over the sensitive nature of the real-life events at the centre of the story.

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Confirming the development in a statement posted on its Instagram page, the distributor, Nile Entertainment, said the NFVCB had referred the film to the SSS for further review and advice before deciding whether to grant clearance.

The distributor added that the producer and distributor were fully complying with the regulatory directive.

“The nationwide theatrical release of ‘The Night of June 7th’, originally scheduled for 28 August, has been placed on hold following a directive from the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).

“Nile Entertainment and the film’s producer remain fully compliant with the ongoing review process and will communicate a new release date once the necessary regulatory clearance has been received. We appreciate the patience and continued support of audiences, exhibitors, partners and the media. Further updates will be shared through our official channels”, Nile Entertainment wrote.