Gangs Of Lagos: Lagos Has No Power To Censor Films, Amazon Tells Court

The Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) will on October 9, rule on a preliminary objection, challenging the powers of the state government to censor the film “Gangs of Lagos” and sanction its producers.

Justice Idowu Alakija fixed the date after entertaining the objection raised by Amazon Web Services Nigeria, against the suit filed by Isale-Eko Descendants Union (IDU) against the film.

Amazon, a subsidiary of Amazon Inc and founder of Prime Video Nigeria, relying on Section 251(1)(q) of the 1999 Constitution prayed the judge to strike out the suit on the ground that the court does not have jurisdiction to entertain it.

The defendant is also challenging the power of the Lagos State Government to regulate and censor films and videos produced within its territory as stipulated in the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, 2004.

Amazon further argued that the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, 2004 is not applicable to video and film censorship in the state.

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The Isale-Eko Descendants Union (IDU) instituted the suit seeking N10 billion damages against Amazon and other producers of the movie titled “Gangs of Lagos” for alleged depiction of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and EyoMasquerade as a gang of murderers.

Other applicants in the suit are Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, who sued on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo IgaBajulaiye, and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni who sued on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore.

The 1st to 12th defendants are the Attorney General of Lagos State, Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board, Mrs. JadesolaOsiberu, 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 Eyo Masquerade in ‘Gangs of Lagos’.

Justice Alakija had earlier granted leave to Isale EkoDescendants Union to seek an order compelling the Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to impose a N10 billion fine against the Gangs of Lagos producers for alleged wrongful depiction of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and the EyoMasquerade as a gang of murderers.