Producers of highly celebrated but controversial film, Gangs of Lagos Amazon Prime have reached settlement with Isale Eko Descendants Union and have agreed to apologise for desecration of an aspect of Lagos culture (Eyo).
This follows on the Consent Judgement of a Lagos High Court in Suit No: LD/6903GCM/2023: Isale-Eko Descendants Union & 2ORS V Amazon Web Services & 11 ORS.
In 2023, the IDU took legal action against the producer of the movie and sought a hefty fine of ₦10 billion after expressing its dissatisfaction with the portrayal of Isale Eko (Lagos Island) as a haven for criminals and the Eyo masquerades being depicted as murderers.
Today, Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court 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.
Reacting to the judgement in a press statement, Mr Adeniji Kazeem SAN, FICArb, Chairman of the Isale-Eko Descendants Union, said the judgement has proven that there are inalienable cultural rights that accrue to indigenous communities that need to be vigorously protected.
“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,” he said.
The statement reads in full:
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), o ur 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.
