The Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) has secured a legal victory against the producers of Gangs of Lagos, following a court ruling that mandates an apology for the film’s controversial depiction of the Eyo masquerade.
A Lagos High Court approved settlement terms between the IDU and the film’s producers, acknowledging that the movie erroneously portrayed the Eyo masquerade as violent and misrepresented the Isale Eko community.
The film, directed by Jade Osiberu and produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 7, 2023, but faced criticism for depicting Isale Eko as a hub of criminal activities. The IDU initially sought ₦10 billion in damages against Amazon and the filmmakers.
In the ruling dated February 20, Justice Idowu Alakija confirmed that both parties had agreed to resolve their dispute amicably. The producers, along with Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited, were ordered to issue official apologies to the IDU, recognizing the cultural misrepresentation in the film.
IDU Chairman, Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that it sets an important precedent for protecting Nigeria’s indigenous heritage. He also urged stricter film censorship to prevent future cultural misrepresentations.
