Isale Eko descendants win case as court stops ‘Gangs of Lagos’ viewing, streaming

‘Gangs of Lagos’ producers to apologise over portrayal of Eyo masquerade — Gangs of Lagos

Justice Idowu Alakija of a Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has stopped the public viewing and streaming of a controversial film titled “Gang of Lagos.”

The consent judgment by Justice Alakija followed terms of agreement filed in the suit delineated LD/6903GCM/2023 between Isale Eko Descendants Union & 2 Ors against Amazon Web Services & 11 Ors.

The judge upheld 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.

She also asked the defendants in the suit to tender an unreserved apology to the applicants, the Isale Eko Descendants Union.

“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.”

It would be recalled that the 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.

The Isale Eko Descendants Union, suing on behalf of themselves and the Isale-Eko Community of Lagos State, includes Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, Bajulaiye of Lagos (suing for himself and on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family & Eyo Iga Bajulaiye), and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni, Sasore of Lagos (suing for himself and on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy Family & Eyo Iga Sasore) as first to third applicants, respectively.

They instituted the suit against the Attorney General of Lagos State, Lagos State Film & Video Censors Board, Ms. Jadesola Osiberu, Ms. Kemi Lala Akindoju, Mr. Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Mr. Olumide Soyombo, Mr. Bankole Wellington, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Mr. Kola Aina, Greoh Limited, and Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited as first to twelfth respondents, respectively.

The applicants had asked the court for an order of mandamus directing and compelling the 1st and 2nd respondents to perform their statutory duty under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and revoke the license and approval granted to Greoh Studios and “The Make It Happen Productions,” the producers of the Nigerian movie production titled “Gangs of Lagos,” for its illegal and defamatory depiction of the Isale-Eko Community as a den of criminals and the revered cultural and national icon, the Eyo Masquerade, as a gang of murderers and assassins.

“An order of mandamus directing and compelling the 1st and 2nd respondents to perform their statutory duty under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and demand an account of the proceeds from the exploitation and streaming of the illegal and defamatory depiction of the Isale-Eko Community as a den of criminals and the revered cultural and national icon, the Eyo Masquerade, as a gang of murderers and assassins by the movie “Gangs of Lagos” from the 12th respondent (Amazon Prime Video TV).”

Also among other orders is an order of mandamus compelling the 1st and 2nd respondents to perform their statutory duty under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and impose a fine of N10,000,000,000.00 against the 3rd to 12th defendants/respondents for the illegal and defamatory depiction of the Isale-Eko Community as a den of criminals.

However, Kazeem (SAN), in a statement after the judgment, said, “The community of Isale–Eko in Lagos State 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. Indeed, the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) states, among other things, that the culture of indigenous people must be protected.

“That indigenous people have intellectual property rights in their culture, and there can be no exploitation or usage of those rights without the express permission of the indigenous communities.”