‘Gangs of Lagos’ producers to apologise for Eyo depiction

By Lukman Olabiyi

Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court has endorsed the terms of settlement entered into by the Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) and Amazon Web Services, along with 11 other defendants, as a judgement of the court.

The IDU instituted the suit, seeking N10 billion in damages against Amazon and other producers of the movie titled Gangs of Lagos for allegedly depicting Isale Eko as a den of criminals and the Eyo masquerade as a gang of murderers.

Other claimants in the suit are Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, who sued on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye, and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni, who sued on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore.

The 1st to 12th defendants are the Attorney General of Lagos State, Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board, Mrs Jadesola Osiberu, Ms Kemi Lala Akindoju, Mr Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Mr Olumide Soyombo, Mr Bankole Wellington, Mrs Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Mr Kola Aina, Greoh Limited, and Amazon Web Services Nigeria, accused of the alleged sacrilegious and scandalous depiction of the Eyo Masquerade in Gangs of Lagos.

In the terms of settlement entered, the trial judge ordered Amazon Web Services and the other defendants to tender an apology to the IDU for erroneously portraying and disparaging the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo masquerade and the peace-loving nature and long-standing traditions of the Isale Eko people.

The judgement read in part: ‘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.’