FREEDOM IN THEIR HANDS

By AYO LIJADU

"Freedom in Their Hands" is the heart-rending and gripping story of a young girl's gruesome murder in the hands of ritualists, masquerading under the guise of performing institutionalized traditional African customs and traditions. The crusade of the girl's sister in the House of Assembly, and in her town which still promotes such outlandish and barbaric customs, is a call for a collective societal movement for freedom from self-imposed slavery of the mind, which the perpetuation of such practices imposes on some backward African societies.
The story examines issues of violence against women, gender inequality, discrimination against women, domestic violence and, human rights violation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9781794878068

Book preview

FREEDOM IN THEIR HANDS

A film script

  By

Ayo Lijadu   

© 2006

FADE IN:

SC.1 EXT. A PART OF OPIN ONA, A SMALL TOWN. NIGHT.

People are in a frenzy to get off the streets and return home, particularly the women and young girls. Shops are shut in a hurry and people scurry off in different directions. Gradually the streets are emptied of people.

SC. 2 EXT. MATARA TERMINUS. NIGHT.

A lone vehicle (saloon car) is loading passengers. Four passengers are already seated; three men at the back and a lady in front.

DRIVER

(Calling)

Opin Ona, Opin Ona, Opin Ona – one chance! Last vehicle! Opin Ona, one chance! Enter with change o! Please, I cannot look for change this night o.

          Opin Ona! Last vehicle! One chance!

One man runs up and joins the young lady in front, driver enters and turns the ignition, the vehicle drives out of the garage.

DRIVER

Please everybody, my last stop is Igi Osan Bus Stop o. That is where I will turn back. I will

not be going beyond that place o.

    PASSENGER 1

Ah - ah, why now? Me, I’m going to the last bus stop.

DRIVER

                    (Applying the brake)

I am not going beyond Igi Osan. You have heard me now. Anybody who is not satisfied can come down.

PEJU

Driver, what is happening? Please, I’m not familiar with that place o. I hope you will get to my bus stop before you turn back.

DRIVER

    Where are you getting down?

PEJU

(Unfolds and looks at a piece of paper in her hand)        Arelu

      DRIVER

Okay. That is the bus stop before Igi Osan. I will stop there. Everybody, can I go on? I will not go beyond Igi Osan o.

        PASSENGER 2

This man self, you talk too much! Abeg, don’t waste our time now. Let us go. You know there is Isemo at Opin Ona and they will soon start their Oro any time from now. 

PEJU

                (Alarmed)

What! Oro at Opin Ona? Oh, my God! What am I going to do?

(to the man beside her) Oga, please help me. I am going to see my sister and I don’t know my way around. This will be my first time of going to that place.

PASSENGER 3

Sister, you self - you try o! You’re visiting somewhere for the first time and you choose to go at night. 

PEJU

Actually, I am coming from a very long distance. Our vehicle broke down on the way and we were stranded for over six hours. I could not call my sister because the battery of my phone has run down completely and I don’t know her phone number off-head.

BADE

    (Young man beside her)

Well, I am also coming down at Arelu. Is that your sister’s address with you? Let me see.

              (Takes paper, reads)

5, Mustapha Street Yes, I know Mustapha. That is very close to where I am going. You are very lucky. Normally, they don’t bring their Oro near to our side of town because it is mostly populated by non-indigenes. All the same, women don’t take chances. They stay strictly indoors during the period   

of Isemo. You know these Oro people don’t like seeing women.

PEJU:

  Ah! Na wah o!

SC. 3 EXT. OPIN ONA. NIGHT.

Streets are completely deserted. Ritual music is heard from a distance and gradually builds. Also from a distance, a group of oro worshippers in white loincloth is seen approaching. The eerie sound of the oro wand as it is swung round in circles accompanies the ritual songs and dance. One by one the lights as seen from the windows of individual homes are turned off even as the sound of latches and door bolts are heard.

SC.4 EXT. DARK LONELY ROAD. NIGHT.

Twin