Court Orders “Gangs of Lagos’’ Producers to Apologise for Eyo Masquerade Depiction

The producers of “Gangs of Lagos” have been ordered by a Lagos High Court to issue a formal apology to the Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) over the film’s portrayal of the Eyo masquerade.

Released on April 7, 2023, “Gangs of Lagos”, directed by Jade Osiberu and produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, sparked backlash for depicting the revered cultural symbol as part of a violent criminal underworld. The IDU condemned the portrayal, arguing that it misrepresented Isale Eko’s heritage and filed a lawsuit demanding N10 billion in damages.

The legal dispute, which named Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited, Greoh Limited, and several producers and executives as respondents, has now been resolved through a court-approved settlement.

According to a legal document dated February 20, Justice Idowu Alakija ruled that the filmmakers must acknowledge the IDU’s concerns and issue an official apology for any misrepresentation of the Eyo masquerade and Isale Eko’s cultural traditions. Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited must also provide a separate apology on its official letterhead.

Following the ruling, the IDU welcomed the outcome, describing it as a significant victory for cultural preservation in Nigeria.

“We feel vindicated by this judgment and thank the court system and the Lagos State Attorney General’s office for their role in resolving this dispute,” IDU Chairman, Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), said in a statement on Wednesday.

He further called on national and state film regulators to ensure stricter oversight of films depicting Nigerian culture to prevent future misrepresentation.