The Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos High Court has granted permission to the Isale Eko Descendants Union to proceed with legal action against the producers of the movie ‘Gangs of Lagos‘. The union seeks to impose a hefty N10 billion fine on the filmmakers for their alleged wrongful portrayal of Isale Eko as a haven for criminals and the Eyo Masquerade as a gang of murderers.
Additionally, the court has permitted the descendants of Isale Eko to seek a judicial review and request an order of mandamus compelling the Attorney General of Lagos State and the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board to take action against the film producers under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State.
The presiding judge, Justice Idowu Alakija, granted this permission following arguments presented by the counsel representing the Isale Eko Descendants Union and two other plaintiffs. The applicants include the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union, Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye (acting on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye), and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni (acting on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore).
The lawsuit targets Jadesola Osiberu, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Adesegn Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Olumide Soyombo, Bankole Wellington, Kola Aina, Greoh Limited, and Amazon Web Services Nigeria. The plaintiffs accuse them of sacrilegious and scandalous depiction of the Eyo Masquerade in the movie ‘Gangs of Lagos’.
Justice Alakija’s ruling allows the applicants to apply for an order of mandamus against the Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board, urging them to ban the film from airing on Amazon Prime due to its false and defamatory portrayal of the Eyo Masquerade.
Furthermore, the court permits the applicants to seek a judicial review and request an order of mandamus compelling the Attorney General and the Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to fulfill their statutory duties under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State. This includes revoking the license and approval granted to Greoh Studios and ‘the make it happen production,’ the producers of ‘Gangs of Lagos,’ for their alleged depiction of Isale Eko as a hub for criminals and the Eyo Masquerade as a gang of murderers and assassins.
In response, the Isale Eko Descendants Union, through its Chairman, Yomi Tokosi, emphasized its commitment to safeguarding the interests of the community and preserving its cultural heritage and traditions, particularly the revered Eyo Masquerade Festival and its iconic figures.
This legal battle underscores the determination of the Isale Eko Descendants Union to protect their community’s reputation and cultural values in the face of what they perceive as a damaging and inaccurate portrayal in the movie ‘Gangs of Lagos’.