Lagos High Court Rules Against ‘Gangs of Lagos’ Producers, Orders Public Apology for Misrepresentation of Eyo Festival
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, compelling them to issue a public apology for the film’s misrepresentation of the revered Eyo Festival and the Isale-Eko community.
The case, filed under Suit No: LD/6903GCM/2023, was initiated by members of the Isale-Eko community, who argued that the film, released on Amazon Prime Video, distorted their cultural heritage in an offensive manner. The core of the dispute centered on the portrayal of the Eyo Masquerade—a symbol of tradition and peace—which the plaintiffs claimed was wrongly linked to gang violence in the movie.
Court’s Ruling and Settlement Terms
After months of legal proceedings, Justice Idowu Alakija approved the Terms of Settlement agreed upon by all involved parties. As part of the resolution, the producers of Gangs of Lagos (Respondents 3-11) are required to publicly acknowledge their misrepresentation of the Eyo Festival and extend a formal apology to the Isale-Eko people.
Additionally, Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited (Respondent 12), which facilitated the movie’s distribution, must also issue an apology on its official letterhead, recognizing the concerns raised by the Isale-Eko Descendants Union.
Legal and Cultural Implications
Reacting to the court’s decision, the Chairman of the Isale-Eko Descendants Union, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeniji Kazeem, hailed the ruling as a crucial victory in protecting Nigeria’s cultural identity.
“This verdict sets a precedent for the protection of our indigenous traditions and ensures that filmmakers approach cultural representation with greater responsibility,” Kazeem stated.
He further urged both national and state film regulatory bodies to enforce stricter content guidelines, particularly for productions distributed via global streaming platforms. According to Kazeem, inaccurate portrayals of cultural symbols not only mislead audiences but also erode the integrity of Nigeria’s rich heritage.
A Landmark Case in Nollywood’s Cultural Representation
The controversy surrounding Gangs of Lagos has sparked widespread debate since its release. While some defended the movie as a work of fiction, others argued that Nollywood, as a powerful storytelling industry, has the responsibility to depict real communities with accuracy and respect.
With the court’s ruling now in effect, attention shifts to the filmmakers and Amazon Web Services to see how they will comply with the mandated apology. This landmark decision could potentially shape the future of cultural representation in Nigerian cinema, setting a precedent for more responsible storytelling.
