Action Is Taken Against “Gangs of Lagos” Film Producers by Isale Eko’s Descendants
Isale Eko Descendants Union has been given permission to ask a Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square to order the Lagos State Video and Films Censors Board to fine the producers of “Gangs of Lagos” N10 billion for inaccurately portraying Isale Eko as a haven for criminals and the Eyo Masquerade as a group of murderers.
The court has additionally given Isale Eko’s descendants the opportunity to request judicial review and a mandamus order mandating that the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board and Attorney General of Lagos State penalize the film producers in accordance with the Lagos State Cinematograph Law.
In a recent ex parte application made to Order 44 Rule 3 of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules and Section 3 of the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, the presiding judge, Justice Idowu Alakija, granted the request for leave for judicial review.
After listening to the counsel for the Isale Eko Descendants Union and two other parties, Alakija granted the leave.
Isale Eko Descendants’ Union, Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye, and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy family and Eyo Iga Sasore, are the applicants.
They are challenging Jadesola Osiberu, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Adesegn Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Olumide Soyombo, Bankole Wellington, Kola Aina, Greoh Limited and Amazon Web Services Nigeria for alleged sacrilegious and scandalous depiction of the Eyo Masquerade in a movie titled Gangs of Lagos.
Alakija recently ruled that the applicants had the right to ask for a mandamus order against the Lagos State Video and Film Censor Board in order to have the Amazon Prime movie Gang of Lagos banned for its inaccurate and defamatory portrayal of the Eyo Masquerade.The petitioners were also given permission by Alakija to request a judicial review and a Mandamus order directing and requiring the attorney general and assassins.
To fulfill their mandate under the Lagos State Cinematograph Law, the Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board is required to revoke the license and approval given to Greoh Studios and “the make it happen production,” the producers of Gangs of Lagos, for portraying Isale Eko as a haven for criminals and Eyo Masquerade as a group of murderers.
The Isale-Eko Descendants Union issued a statement on Saturday through its chairman, Yomi Tokosi, in which it reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the interests of the community and its surroundings, particularly its cultural heritage and traditions, such as the renowned Eyo Masquerade Festival and its symbols.
