The dark end

Image from canva

The movie opens in a slow motion style, portrayed in black and white, depicting police brutality and coercion. People are shown being mistreated, beaten and forced into police vans.

SCENE ONE

The camera opens on David's compound, where his mother sits outside beneath a tree or on a veranda (depending on the location we get) , sorting through beans. David, with his disheveled hair, steps out and approaches his mother.

David: "Mum, I'm heading out to see my friends. Won't be long." He starts to move away, but his mother calls him back.

Mum: "Come back here, David." He turns, attentive to her words. "I've told you, I don't approve of that hairstyle. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? You resemble those boys at the motor park."

David: Blushing, he responds, "Mum, I promise I'll cut it. I'm not going back on my word. I'll get it done today if it makes you happy."

Mum: "You know how the police is targeting young boys now." I don’t want you to fall victim because of your hair o

David: "Don't worry, Mum. I'll be fine."

Mum: "Okay, just make sure you're back early, alright?"

David: "I will." He walks off.

SCENE TWO

Two police officers, Officer Iboro and Officer Okoro, are seen on duty at a roadwork checkpoint, collecting tips from drivers. They stop a Keke, and Paul approaches it.
Iboro :
" Hey, stop there! Park on the side." The driver complies, and Iboro walks over. "Oga drop something."

Driver: "What do you mean, officer?"

Iboro: Smirking, he replies, "You know, drop something for the officers. No delay me; I need to get back to work."
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Driver: Shaking his head, he responds, "I no dey give bribes. I won't give you anything."

Iboro: ”this one dey speak English oh.” Growing frustrated , he retorts, "You no go give me?"

Driver: Firmly, "No, I won't."

Iboro ;calls Okoro over {now visibly angry}. Mr. I don't give bribe, I want to see your papers”

Driver: "Yes, sir."

Iboro: After checking the driver's documents, he confronts him, "Your NIN, change of ownership, and engine receipt are missing. What do you have to say?" Before the driver can respond, Okoro interrupts.

Okoro: "Sir, this man no get jack, fire extinguisher, spare tire, even waste bin no dey the car."

Iboro: Turning back to the driver, he declares, "You're coming with us to the station."

Driver: Desperately, he offers one thousand naira. "Officers, take this as a token."

Iboro: Outraged, "Are you trying to bribe us?"

Driver: Backtracking, "No, just a token for your hard work."

Okoro: Threateningly, "Your charge don increase for bribing a police officer on duty. You go pay two hundred thousand."

Driver: Panicking, "I don't have that kind of money. Can I make it 1,500? You know we're all in this together."

Iboro: Sternly, "Open your bank app. Let's see what you have."

Driver: Confused, "Why?"

Iboro: Taking control, "Okoro, get in the car. We're taking him to the station."

Driver: Reluctantly, he opens the app. "Here it is."

Iboro: Typing in one hundred thousand, he hands back the phone. "Enter your password."

Driver: Shocked, "That's all the money I have. One hundred thousand is too much."

Okoro: Menacingly, "If you don't comply, I go give you problem for here now now."

Driver: Surrendering, he sends the money and gets back in his car. "God will judge you."

Iboro: Smirking, "Pleasure doing business with you." He checks his phone for the alert. "Okoro, let's go have a drink. We've earned it." They leave for a nearby beer parlor.

SCENE THREE

The two policemen are seen in a beer parlor, surrounded by empty beer bottles and indulging in pepper soup. They are visibly intoxicated, laughing and speaking incoherently.

Okoro: "That driver dey lucky oh. I for waste am , and nobody for question me." They share a laugh.

Iboro: "Exactly. They act tough until we show them who be Oga. That time, them go start dey bring money." Another round of laughter ensues.

Okoro: "Since the Government don say na crime to increase our money, we go dey get am like this for our family to chop."

Iboro: "Indeed. Let's enjoy ourselves; na life be this." He raises his bottle for a toast.

As they continue drinking, they become increasingly intoxicated, eventually passing out at the bar. The camera captures their disheveled appearance, with buttons undone and Okoro lying on the floor.

SCENE FOUR

It's the day for David to head back to school. He arrives at his mother's shop dressed in ripped jeans, with his hair in disarray, possibly in dreadlocks, and sporting expensive shoes and an iPhone. His luggage is already loaded into the waiting cab as he approaches the shop where his mother and sister, Abas, are.
Abas: "Looking good, bro," she says, blushing as David blushes in return. His mother, noticing the exchange, turns to see who Abas is addressing.

David: "Good afternoon, Mum."

Mum: "What's good about this afternoon, David?" Her tone is stern, and David bows his head, sensing her anger. "I asked you to cut your hair, and now you're wearing ripped jeans to embarrass me."

David: "Mum, I've explained, this is fashion. Everyone at campus dresses like this. It's the 21st century; we don't wear oversized clothes anymore."

Mum: Growing angrier, she retorts, "You look like a madman. Ripped jeans and unkempt hair. If the police see you, they'll label you a fraudster without a second thought."

David: Trying to reassure her, "Don't worry, Mom, everything will be fine. They understand."

Abas: Trying to mediate, "Mum, it's okay. This is how people dress now."

Mum: Shutting down Abas, she says, "Quiet! You're encouraging nonsense."

Abas: Under her breath, "It's not nonsense; it's called being stylish." David smiles at her remark.

Mum: Turning back to David, she insists, "Make sure you cut your hair, David. I don't like it."

David: "Okay, Mum, but I have to leave now."

Mum: "Alright, go with your brother. Help him organize his room; you know how lazy he is."

Abas: Nodding, "Yes, let's go." They hug their mother goodbye before leaving.

Mum: "Take care of yourselves, and Abas, don't forget to come back tomorrow, okay?"

Abas: "Okay, Mum. Bye." They head off to the cab, ready for the journey ahead.

SCENE FIVE

David and Abas sat in the back seat of the car that arrived to pick them up. As they reached a checkpoint manned by two policemen, the vehicle was flagged down.

Driver: "Officer, how work naa?"

Okoro: "work dey fine." He instructed everyone to step out of the car.

David and Abas complied, exiting the vehicle.

Driver: While stepping out, he retrieved all the necessary documents. "Na my papers be this."

Okoro: He inspected the papers, finding everything in order. "Everything dey alright, na just one thing remain and you know." He smiles.

Driver: He handed over five hundred naira. "Take this one; you know say country hard"

Okoro: "No problem, you can go." As he said this, David muttered under his breath, "Police and bribery." "Wetin you talk?"

David: "Nothing, just observing."

Okoro: "The way I'm looking at you, e be like say you be yahoo boy."

David: "I'm not a yahoo boy; I'm a student. Here's my ID card."

Okoro: Angered, he demanded action. "Driver, drop their things; this boy dey follow us go station station. Oga mi, I don catch yahoo boy" he called his Boss over

Iboro: Rushing to the scene, he echoes the accusation. "Na people like una we dey find." Abas interrupts, attempting to intervene.

Abas: ”My brother is not a yahoo boy”

Iboro: Abas was standing very close to the police officer immediately he landed her a slap “ shut up” na so when they don buy una wig una dey defend them. Small girl like you wey suppose dey house, dey follow man Waka.”

David: "Don't touch her again, or you'll hear from me." He spoke with anger in his voice.

Iboro: He burst into laughter, showing no concern for David's threat.“ Okoro see Yahoo boy ooo '' he laughs again “ I fit kill you here and nobody go ask about you”.Passersby stopped to witness the unfolding scene, quickly pulling out their phones to record the incident. “ Student dey use iphone with dread which work you dey do? you get mind go print school I.D wey you no dey go so that you fit deceive us”.

David: "I already told you, I'm a student at the University of Uyo, not a yahoo boy."

Iboro: "Open your phone."

David: "I refuse."

Iboro: "You must open it!" He fought with David for the phone. David falls to the ground. Abas tries to intervene, but Sergeant Okoro holds her back. The police officer pressed his baton against David's neck as he lay on the ground. David screamed in pain, "My neck! My neck!" until he eventually passed out. The policeman then stood up, leaving David lying unconscious on the ground.

Abas: "You've killed my brother!" Confused and distraught, she ran from her brother's lifeless body to confront the policeman responsible. In a fit of rage, she began beating the policeman.

Iboro: "Your brother was a thief." He stopped a keke and called Okoro. "Okoro, let's take this body to the morgue." They lifted David's body and placed it on the floor of the keke, nonchalantly sitting at the back with their legs resting on top of the corpse. Abas attempted to intervene, but was pushed away as they drove off.

She immediately dialed her mother, weeping as she spoke. "Hello, Mom... David is dead." Her cries continued as she explained, "The police at Itu division killed him." Sobbing, she faded into the distance.

SCENE SIX

The news spread like wildfire across social media platforms, capturing the attention of people worldwide. The camera zooms in on various individuals in different locations as they read the story.

Bella, in Abuja, reads the headline from G-3media: "Police Kill Another Civilian." She reacts with frustration, exclaiming, "How can we live in this country when those meant to protect us are killing us?"

A controversial blogger shares their perspective: "Police Kill Another Yahoo Boy," stirring up discussion among followers.

Moral Gang TV reports: "Another Case of Police Brutality in Akwa Ibom State," shedding light on the ongoing issue.

The reactions to the news vary, reflecting the diverse perspectives and emotions stirred by the tragic event.

SCENE SEVEN

David's mother is seen at the DPO's office, pleading for the return of her son. The camera first captures the exterior of the police station before focusing on the inside of the DPO's office.

DPO: "Madam, the report we received indicates that your son is a notorious criminal and was apprehended this afternoon."

Mum: Tearfully, she responds, "My son is not a thief. He was on his way to school when your officers killed him."

DPO: "There was no evidence that your son was a student. Our search revealed a gun and five mobile phones on him, items that certainly don't belong to a student. Only a criminal carries a gun."

Mum: Distraught, she insists, "My son is not a thief." She breaks down in tears. "You've killed my only son. Give me his body so I can bury him."

DPO: "You can collect the body from the teaching hospital; it's been deposited there. Please, ma'am, you can leave now. I'm quite busy."

Mum: Standing up, she moves towards the door, muttering curses under her breath. "God will judge you for killing my only son." As she exits, the camera captures the DPO bowing his head, possibly reflecting on the situation.

SCENE EIGHT

In the dimly lit sitting room, David's mother sits alongside her daughter, consumed by sadness and despair. Suddenly, the news flashes across the TV screen, capturing their attention. The camera zooms in on David's mother as the newscaster delivers the report.

Newscaster: "Good afternoon, welcome to the news at twelve. The Nigerian government has allocated 31 billion naira for the Calabar-Itu express road. Moving on, human rights lawyers have filed a case against the Nigerian police and the two officers involved in the death of David Idiong, who was alleged to be a notorious criminal."

The news continues, but before it concludes, Abas reaches for the remote and switches off the television.

Mum: Tears stream down her face as she weeps uncontrollably. "All of you who took my son's life will never escape punishment." She continues to curse them, her anguish palpable, while her daughter tries to console her, pleading for her to stop crying.

SCENE NINE

The camera pans across the courtroom audience before focusing on the chief judge presiding over the case.

Judge: "We've been waiting for the defendant for the past hour, but we can't delay any longer. Let's proceed with the case. Prosecution counsel, you may proceed."

Ann: "Thank you, Your Lordship. Mr. Iboro and his colleague are accused of killing an innocent young man and falsely labeling him a notorious criminal. From my investigations, the young man was a promising 300L Communication and Media Arts student at the prestigious University of Uyo. On the day of his death, he was returning to school. Your Lordship, may I call my first witness, Prof. Jude, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies?"

The Dean takes the stand after being sworn in by the court clerk.

Ann: "Prof. Jude, how well did you know the deceased?"

Prof. Jude: "The late David was not only my student but also served as the Director of Socials in my faculty."

Ann: "Was the deceased ever involved in any criminal activities?"

Prof. Jude: "No, quite the opposite. He was a top performer in his class." The camera captures David's mother shedding tears. "In fact, I personally invited him to plan the 'Alumni Homecoming' event with me."

Ann: "Thank you, Prof. Jude." She turns to the judge. "Your Lordship, the prosecution rests its case here." As she moves to return to her seat, the defendant rushes in, sweating and clutching his file and gown.

Defendant: stands In Front of the Clerk ``my lordship , I am sorry oh , my client here did not pay me complete money and you know the way things are in this country now. I have to trek from Eket to Oron road before I enter keke down here. You know, transportation is very high now.”

Judge: "You may take your seat."

Defendant: "Thank you, Your Honor." He takes his seat.

Judge: "We will now take a 30-minute break to allow the defendant's counsel to settle in properly."

Court Clerk: "Court rise."

The defendant approaches his clients, recording on his phone.

Iboro: “Oga lawyer why you come late naa” been furious

Defendant: shut up, you no pay better money you dey shout yeyeyeye (micmic him). Una people no tell me the complete story before I come here so I want make you tell me the truth, you kill that boy or you no kill am?”

Iboro: “no be say I kill the boy like that oh na small mistake wey happen nai kill the boy”.

Defendant:”so na true say you kill the boy” saying it on top of his voice why Iboro interrupt him

Iboro: “no shout naa make them no hear am”

Defendant:” I dey shout?”
Iboro:” yes naa “

Defendant: “sorry I no go shout again. That money wey una pay me half, how una take get am?”

Okoro:” na road work money naa

Defendant: “ five million naira!” He was on top of his voice again

Okoro:” you are shouting again oh”

Defendant: “sorry, I no go shout again” he arranges his gown “no worry, I go win this case but una go add extral five million”

Iboro:” just win the case, if we go back to work we go pay you”

Defendant: “Oya make una chop knuckle” He extended his hands towards them as the judge entered, and the case resumed immediately.

Judge: "Defendant counsel, do you have anything to say?"

Defendant: "Yes, Your Honor." Stepping forward from his seat, he addressed the court. "Your Lordship, I am here to defend my clients against the accusations they face. Merely being police officers does not justify false accusations against them." The camera focuses on the policemen, nodding in agreement. "I won't call any witnesses because I have all the evidence on my phone. I only need a speaker to present it to this honorable court. Before I do so, I urge the citizens of this great country to respect the police force. While there may be bad elements, there are also dedicated officers who serve and protect. Let's not condemn the entire force based on a few bad apples. As I mentioned, I have the evidence here on my phone." He hands the phone to the court clerk and returns to his seat.

The clerk plays the recording, shocking the policemen as their own words from the break are played to the audience. The defendant rises again.

Defendant: "Your Lordship, I've demonstrated that my clients committed the crime they're accused of." He bows and returns to his seat. The court is in disbelief as the clerk calls for silence.

Judge: "Despite the charges against Mr. Iboro and Mr. Okoro..." The camera shifts to the witness box as Mr. Iboro collapses, claiming to pass out. "Someone should check on him. We're not adjourning this case; he must face the law." After confirming his condition, the judge delivers the verdict.

Judge: "Mr. Iboro and Mr. Okoro are dismissed from the Nigerian Police Force and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of David Idiong. The police force must pay the Idiong family Five Hundred Million Naira in damages. This is my judgment."

Court Clerk: "Court rise." Everyone stands as the judge exits, while the defendant's lawyer and the prosecutor console the family.

SCENE TEN

A special announcement was made by the Inspector General of Police. He stood in a conference hall, flanked by the Nigerian flag and the flag of the Nigerian Police Force. A police officer stood behind him as he addressed the audience.

“As the Inspector General of Police, I am issuing a special announcement regarding the cessation of all forms of police brutality. Moving forward, all police recruits will be required to undergo rigorous training at the police academy, ensuring they are adequately equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to uphold the law with integrity and respect for human rights.

Additionally, I recognize the tragic loss of David Idiong and extend my deepest condolences to his family. In acknowledgment of their pain and suffering, the Nigerian Police Force will provide compensation of Five Hundred Million Naira to his family.

We are committed to fostering a culture of accountability and responsibility within the force, and these measures are critical steps towards rebuilding trust and ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens. Together, let us strive for a future where every Nigerian can live without fear of injustice or violence.”

The End