Court Orders Gangs Of Lagos Producers To Apologize For For Misrepresenting Isale Eko And Eyo Masquerade

• The 2023 Nollywood film “Gangs of Lagos” is under scrutiny due to a court ruling.
• The court has ordered the film’s producers and Amazon Prime to apologize to the Isale Eko Descendants Union.
• The legal action was initiated nearly two years ago over the film’s portrayal of the Isale Eko community and the Eyo masquerade.

The 2023 Nollywood film Gangs of Lagos is making waves on social media following a court ruling that mandates its producers and streaming platform, Amazon Prime, to apologize to the Isale Eko Descendants Union. The ruling comes in response to the movie’s depiction of the Isale Eko community and the revered Eyo masquerade.

Nearly two years after the Isale Eko Descendants Union initiated legal action over the film’s portrayal of their cultural heritage, the court has now reached a verdict. In 2023, the Isale Eko Union, the Lagos State government, and some traditional leaders publicly criticized the film for misrepresenting the Eyo masquerade.

A particular scene in the movie showed assassins disguising themselves as Eyo masqueraders, which led to the case being filed under Suit No: LD/6903GCM/2023. The plaintiffs challenged the negative depiction of the Eyo masquerade and its cultural significance.

Justice Idowu Alakija presided over the case and approved the Terms of Settlement agreed upon by all parties involved. According to reports, the settlement terms require the filmmakers and Amazon Prime to issue an unreserved apology for portraying Isale Eko as a hub for criminals and for misrepresenting the Eyo masquerade as a cover for assassins.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Chairman of the Isale Eko Descendants Union, Adeniji Kazeem, confirmed that the dispute has been resolved through the settlement.

See some comments below:

@nestaseyi:”I said it the other day, how can you put out such movie with no disclaimer. They said ehn, na me no watch am for cinema na why I no see am. They will learn. I’m happy for this judgement. Next time, they will put disclaimer when producing such movies..”

@Ola_mMuritala:”The Eyo tradition doesn’t actually belong to the Isale Eko people; it originally came from the Ijebu in Epe. It was initially used for marriage when one of them married an Ijebu, but over time, they took it over and claimed it as their own. All clear.”

@Kamhini1:”The film should also be taken down and the people affect should be compensated.There is no point tendering apology if the movie is taken down and compensation no paid.”

@salamioladeji:”Hmmm, well, has there ever been an ẹyọ that was not marred with violence in recent time? I could still remember the last four ẹyọ, if it’s not Laba VS Etti, it would be Bajulaiye VS Oniko, even this last one, it was at the front of our house Etti and Ologede used as BF.”

@RogersNotKenny1:”This could have been one of the best movies in the industry if they had not mentioned Eyo or Isale Eko, they could have called it any other names. Misinterpreting the cultural heritage and traditions of the other people for a movie is not wise enough. Welldone job anyways.”