A Lagos State High Court has ruled in favor of the Isale-Eko Descendants Union (IEDU) in its lawsuit against Amazon Web Services Nigeria and the producers of Gangs of Lagos, mandating a public apology for the film’s alleged misrepresentation of the Eyo Festival and the Isale-Eko community.
The legal dispute, filed under Suit No: LD/6903GCM/2023, was brought forward by members of the Isale-Eko community, who accused the film, released on Amazon Prime Video, of distorting and misrepresenting their cultural heritage.
The central issue was the depiction of the Eyo Masquerade, a revered symbol of tradition and peace, which the plaintiffs argued was falsely associated with gang violence in the movie.
After months of legal proceedings, Justice Idowu Alakija approved the Terms of Settlement agreed upon by both parties. As part of the ruling:
Reacting to the verdict, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeniji Kazeem, Chairman of the Isale-Eko Descendants Union, described the ruling as a landmark victory in preserving Nigerian cultural identity.
“This judgment sets a crucial precedent for protecting our cultural heritage and ensuring that filmmakers approach cultural representation with greater responsibility,” Kazeem stated.
He also urged national and state film regulatory bodies to implement stricter content guidelines, particularly for movies released on global streaming platforms.
The controversy surrounding Gangs of Lagos has fueled intense public debate since its release, with many Nigerians divided on whether the film’s portrayal was an exercise of creative freedom or cultural insensitivity.