The Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) has expressed satisfaction with the court ruling ordering producers of the movie “Gangs of Lagos” to apologise to the union for how Eyo masquerade was portrayed in the popular movie.
According to The PUNCH, a Lagos high court approved the settlement terms between the IDU and the producers of the movie over the controversial portrayal of the Eyo masquerade in the film.
Directed by Jade Osiberu and produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, the movie was released on Amazon’s Prime Video on April 7, 2023.
The film attracted backlash over the “defamatory depiction” of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and the Eyo masquerade as a gang of murderers.
The union took legal action and sought ₦10 billion in damages against Amazon and the film’s producers.
In her ruling, according to a legal document dated February 20, the presiding judge, Justice Idowu Alakija, stated that the parties involved agreed to resolve all disputes concerning the film amicably.
The Attorney General of Lagos and the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board were listed as first and second respondents in the lawsuit.
The 3rd to 12th respondents included Osiberu, Akindoju, Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Olumide Soyombo, Bankole Wellington, Adesua Wellington, Kola Aina, Greoh Limited, and Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited.
The court ruled that “The 3rd – 11th Respondents (the Film Producers) shall jointly issue a letter recognising the applicants position that the movie titled ‘Gangs of Lagos’ erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko people, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the applicants – Isale Eko Descendants Union — in this regard.
“The 12th respondent (Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited) shall issue on its Letterhead, a letter recognising the applicants’ (Isale Eko Descendants Union) position that the movie titled ‘Gangs of Lagos’ erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko people, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the applicants in this regard.”
Following the court-approved settlement, the IDU expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
They believe it serves as a significant precedent for protecting indigenous cultural heritage in Nigeria.
“We feel vindicated by this judgment and thank the court system and the Lagos State Attorney General’s office for their role in resolving this dispute,” IDU Chairman, Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), said in a statement on Wednesday.
However, he urged the national and state film censors to be more vigilant in scrutinising films that misrepresent Nigerian cultures.
