The producers of the movie Gangs of Lagos and Amazon Prime have apologised to the Isale Eko Descendants Union over the film’s depiction of the Isale Eko community and the revered Eyo masquerade.

This comes nearly two years after the union filed a lawsuit challenging the portrayal of their cultural heritage in the movie. In April 2023, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Isale Eko union and the Lagos government condemned the portrayal of Eyo Masquerade.

In one of the scenes of ‘Gangs of Lagos’, the movie portrays assassins operating under the cover of Eyo masquerades.

In a statement on Wednesday, Adeniji Kazeem, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Chairman of the Isale-Eko Descendants Union, confirmed that the parties have settled.

In a suit marked LD/6903GCM/2023 at the Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, a trial judge, Idowu Alakija, delivered a consent judgement between the Isale Eko Descendants Union and the defendants, including Amazon Web Services and the film’s producers.

The settlement terms require the producers and Amazon Prime to tender an unreserved apology for the wrongful portrayal of Isale Eko as a haven for criminals and the Eyo masquerade as a group of assassins.

According to the settlement agreement, Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited will issue an official letter acknowledging that Gangs of Lagos misrepresented the cultural heritage of the Isale Eko community and the Eyo masquerade.

Similarly, the film’s producers, including Greoh Limited, Jadesola Osiberu, Kemi Akindoju, and other executive producers, will issue a joint letter recognising the Isale Eko Descendants Union’s stance and offering a formal apology.

The Isale Eko Descendants Union, represented by its chairman, Mr Kazeem, filed the lawsuit alongside Ayodele Bajulaiye and Abdul-Waheed Ayeni, who sued on behalf of their respective chieftaincy families.

The applicants argued that the movie desecrated Lagos’ cultural heritage by depicting the Eyo masquerade as a criminal gang involved in violent activities.

But the statement described the judgement as a landmark victory for indigenous communities in Lagos, emphasising that cultural rights must be protected.

Following the court-approved settlement, the Isale Eko Descendants Union has 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,” Mr Kazeem said.

However, he urged the national and state film censors to be more vigilant in scrutinising films that misrepresent Nigerian cultures.

Mr Kazeem also called on the Lagos State Government to assert its constitutional rights to oversee film production and censorship. He believes this can prevent the further exploitation of its cultural materials.

As part of the resolution, the filmmakers are expected to issue their apology letters soon, officially acknowledging the Isale Eko Descendants Union’s concerns.

The decision is expected to set a precedent for film producers regarding portraying cultural and indigenous traditions in Nigerian cinema.

Omoawoke:
With hell with their dumb apologies

I boycotted the movie and never watched it…. The movie should be banned in Lagos and Nigeria

Omoawoke:
With hell with their dumb apologies

I boycotted the movie and never watched it…. The movie should be banned in Lagos and Nigeria

PlasmaTV:
That means we should apologize to Mexicans anytime we watch a drug cartel movie.

Or we should apologize to the USA anytime we watch a movie with terrorists that bomb the white House.

Bunch of clowns more interested in apologies rather than a state that works without agberos.

PS: Any mow-ron who drags tribalism into this thread and attacks me ehn ..

aieromon:
Previous thread
https://www.nairaland.com/7757833/gangs-lagos-oba-issues-14-day



https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/movies/780357-gangs-of-lagos-producers-amazon-prime-apologise-to-isale-eko-descendants.html

PlasmaTV:
That means we should apologize to Mexicans anytime we watch a drug cartel movie.

Or we should apologize to the USA anytime we watch a movie with terrorists that bomb the white House.

Bunch of clowns more interested in apologies rather than a state that works without agberos.

PS: Any mow-ron who drags tribalism into this thread and attacks me ehn ..

Omoawoke:
With hell with their dumb apologies

I boycotted the movie and never watched it…. The movie should be banned in Lagos and Nigeria

Smartcitizen:
Hmmm

You are apologizing for the criminal activities that has been happening in LAGOS that you acted?

I don't know why some people are cowards?


Nawaoo!