Nigerian production company The Trybe has announced its debut project, I Find the Defendant…, a drama that explores questions of truth, justice, and perception through a Rashomon-style narrative.
Featuring Belu Ogbuka, Empress Allen, Precious Onyekwelibe, Aaron Ayo Akinyemi, Benedict Emmanuel Tochukwu Odoh, Constance Nnenna Izuogu, Nisola Martins, and Joy Ozichi, the film presents multiple perspectives of the same incident, inviting audiences to interrogate conflicting versions of events.
At the centre of the story is a question with no easy answer: was a young woman sexually assaulted, or is a man being falsely accused? Through shifting viewpoints and competing accounts, the film examines how truth, memory, and perception can shape the pursuit of justice.
Speaking with The Nollywood Reporter, the filmmakers said the project emerged from an idea developed by writer Oluwadamisola Adeyinka, who had been working on several story concepts before collaborating with director Michael Ajayi and producer Oguguah Denzel Ugochukwu.
According to the team, the story stood out because of its complexity and its engagement with sensitive issues, including rape allegations, false accusations, and the challenges of navigating Nigeria’s judicial system. Rather than offering definitive answers, the film aims to encourage discussion and challenge audiences to consider different perspectives.
Currently preparing for its festival run, I Find the Defendant… is expected to screen at selected film festivals later this year, with official announcements to be made once selections are confirmed.
The project also highlights emerging talent within the industry, with 95 percent of its cast and crew drawn from the third 2025 intake of the EbonyLife Creative Academy.
