A Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has banned the public viewing and streaming of the the highly controversial Nollywood movie, Gangs of Lagos
The film “Gangs of Lagos” has been at the center of controversy due to its portrayal of Lagos Island’s Isale Eko community and the revered Eyo masquerade. Many community members felt that the film misrepresented their cultural heritage by depicting Isale Eko as a hub of criminal activity and the Eyo masquerade as violent gang members. In response, the Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) initiated legal action against the film’s producers and Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited, seeking redress for the alleged misrepresentation.
Isale Eko Descendants Union, through a motion on notice filed by the Chairman of the union, Adeniyi Kazeem (SAN), dated May 30, 2023, had asked the court to issue an outright ban on the movie and demanded that the respondents tender an apology to Lagosians.
In a recent development, the Lagos High Court approved a settlement between the parties. As part of this agreement, the court ordered the producers of “Gangs of Lagos” and Amazon Prime to issue an unreserved apology to the Isale Eko Descendants Union for the wrongful depiction of their community and cultural symbols.
The judge also agreed with the applicant‘s position that the movie misrepresented and disrespected the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peaceful nature and long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko people.
“In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and in full and final settlement of all the claims in this suit, the parties hereby agree that the 3rd to 11th respondents shall jointly issue a letter recognizing the applicants’ position that the movie titled “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade, as well as the peace-loving nature and long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko people, and shall therein tender an unreserved apology to the applicants in this regard.
“The 12th respondent (Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited) shall issue, on its letterhead, a letter recognizing the applicants’ position that the movie titled “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade, as well as the peace-loving nature and long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko people, and shall therein tender an unreserved apology to the applicants in this regard”. The court ordered.
Reacting to the judgment, IDU Chairman Adeniyi Kazeem, SAN, expressed his pleasure that the union was able to protect the inalienable cultural rights of the communities.
“Today is a great day for the Isale Eko community of Lagos State, all Lagos indigenous communities, and Lagosians generally. Today, the relatively small community of Isale Eko was able to establish that, along with other rights, there are inalienable cultural rights that accrue to indigenous communities that need to be vigorously protected.”
By Ezinne Okorie.
