Amazon Prime Apologises Over Desecration Of Eyo Masquerade In ‘Gangs Of Lagos’

Fourteen months after Isale Eko Descendants Union dragged the producers of ‘Gangs of Lagos‘ movie, Amazon Prime and others before the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square, there seems to be a respite as the concerned parties have reached a settlement while Prime Video has agreed to apologise for desecration of the Lagos culture.

The Isale Eko Descendants Union had sought an order compelling Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to impose a N10 billion fine against Amazon Prime for the wrongful depiction of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and the Eyo Masquerade as a gang of murderers.

In a recent consent judgement in Suit No: LD/6903GCM/2023 between Isale Eko Descendants Union & 2 Others Vs AMAZON WEB SERVICES & 11 others delivered by Honourable Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court, the producers and Amazon Prime agreed to tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants –Isale Eko Descendants Union in this regard.

Also, Amazon shall issue on its Letter Head, a letter recognising Isale Eko Descendants Union’s position that the movie “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People.

A statement on Wednesday by Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, chairman, Isale-Eko Descendants Union confirmed the terms of settlement.

His statement read in part: “Today is a great day for the Isale-Eko Community of Lagos State, All indigenous Communities of Lagos and Lagosians generally. Today, the relatively small community of Isale – Eko in Lagos State was able to establish that along with other rights, there are inalienable cultural rights that accrue to indigenous communities that need to be vigorously protected.

“Indeed the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) states amongst other things that the culture of indigenous people must be protected. That indigenous people have intellectual property rights in their culture and there can be no exploitation or usage of those rights without the express permission of the indigenous communities.

“Today, Honourable Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court has endorsed the Terms of Settlement entered into by the Isale Eko Descendants Union (Applicants) and Amazon Web Services (Defendant) along with 11 other Defendants as a Judgement of the Court. The judgement amongst other thing provides that:

“1. The 3rd – 11th Respondents (the Film Producers) shall jointly issue a letter recognizing the Applicants position that the Movie titled “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants – Isale Eko Descendants Union in this regard.

“2. The 12th Respondent (Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited) shall issue on its: Letter Head, a letter recognizing the Applicants’ (Isale Eko Descendants Union) position that the Movie titled “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants in this regard.

“We feel vindicated by this judgement and thank the Court system and the office of the Lagos State Attorney General for the positive role it played in resolving this dispute.

“However, we must state that the National and State Film censors must be more vigilant in the scrutiny of Films that are licensed for viewing either on physical screens or on digital platforms beaming into the Nigerian digital space.

“Furthermore, we assert that there are strong imperatives for Lagos State to revisit its Constitutional rights to properly oversee the production and censorship of Films utilizing its cultural material and resources.

“Finally, I thank our Royal Father Alaiyeluwa Oba Riliwanu Akiolu 1 (Oba of Lagos), our Legal team led by Mr. Supo Shasore SAN, the Isale Eko Descendants Union Trustees, Elders, Members and all well-meaning Lagosians who gave both physical and spiritual support.”

Justice Alakija had earlier granted the leave for judicial review in an ex-parte application brought pursuant to Section 3 of the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and Order 44 Rule 3 of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules.

The Judge granted the leave after hearing arguments of Counsels for Isale Eko Descendants Union and two others, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN), Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), Mr. Aderemi Bashua (SAN), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, Akinwale Irokosu and Adesamola Alebiosu, Temi Tayo-Tiwo, Oyinkansola Tunde -Braimoh among others.

The applicants comprised Isale Eko Descendants’ Union, Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, who sued on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye, and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni who sued on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore.

They were challenging the movie’s producers including Ms. Jadesola Soberu, Ms. Kemi Lala Akindoju, Mr. Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Mr. Olumide Soyombo, Mr Bankole Wellington, Mrs. Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Mr. Kola Aina, Greoh Limited and Amazon Web Services Nigeria for alleged sacrilegious and scandalous depiction of the Eyo Masquerade in the movie production ‘Gangs of Lagos’.