A Lagos High Court has approved a settlement between the Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) and the producers of Gangs of Lagos, following the union’s lawsuit over the film’s portrayal of the Eyo masquerade.
The movie, directed by Jade Osiberu and produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, was released on Amazon Prime Video on April 7, 2023.
However, it sparked outrage for depicting Isale Eko as a den of criminals and the Eyo masquerade as a violent gang.
In response, the IDU filed a lawsuit, seeking N10 billion in damages from Amazon and the filmmakers.
In her ruling, dated February 20, Justice Idowu Alakija stated that both parties had agreed to resolve the dispute amicably.
The court mandated that the filmmakers and Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited issue a formal apology, acknowledging that the movie misrepresented the Eyo masquerade and the peaceful traditions of Isale Eko.
The ruling states 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.”
Furthermore, “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 settlement, IDU Chairman, Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), welcomed the outcome, stating, “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.”
He also called on regulatory bodies to be more diligent in protecting Nigeria’s cultural identity in the media, saying, “We urge the national and state film censors to be more vigilant in scrutinising films that misrepresent Nigerian cultures.”
