On Chokehold, LagosPhoto Festival Looks Elsewhere

Yinka Olatunbosun

The annual Lagos Photo Festival, a vibrant hub for passionate artists to showcase their creativity, has hit a roadblock this year. Due to an ongoing legal dispute leading to the closure of the African Artists Foundation building, where countless artist works are housed, the festival’s 2021 edition has been put on hold. This setback has not only impacted the local art community but also disappointed international visitors who typically flock to Lagos for this cultural extravaganza.

The Director, AAF, Azu Nwagbogu, revealed that the forceful closure had halted most of the activities of the organisation in the last two years.

“Sometime in October 2020, we were evicted by Keystone Bank in the most embarrassing and humiliating manner, claiming ownership through a court order,” he disclosed. “They claimed several properties belonging to the Umanah family, our landlords, claiming they were owed money by the late patriarch of the Umanah family.”

Nwagbogu elaborated further, pointing out a previous legal case where it was established that the Umanah family not only did not owe Keystone Bank but actually had an excess credit with them. This highlighted the bank’s questionable attempt to sidestep a prior court ruling. Subsequently, the court dismissed the current lawsuit, reprimanding Keystone Bank’s lawyers for abusing the judicial process. In response, efforts were made to seek a reimbursement of N600 million from the bank, citing an indemnity clause and past correspondence. However, the bank, represented by its legal counsel, flatly refused the refund. Following this deadlock, a pivotal board meeting was convened, resulting in the decision to relocate the esteemed foundation to another African nation. This decision, made with heavy hearts, marks the end of an era as the organisation bids farewell to Nigeria after achieving acclaim in the global art sphere.

The African Arts Foundation (AAF), an influential non-profit organisation based in Lagos since 2010, remains steadfast in its commitment to showcasing and promoting African art and culture worldwide. Through its celebrated annual LagosPhoto Festival, the organisation has not only solidified its position as the premier international photography festival in West Africa but has also successfully curated captivating art exhibitions and hosted prestigious competitions such as the National Arts Competition.

Furthermore, AAF has taken a proactive role in advocating for the repatriation of stolen artefacts back to Africa, championing the cause on a global scale. In a recent development, Izore Bamawo, Head of Corporate Communication at Keystone Bank, clarified that the closure of the AAF building was not instigated by the bank but rather by the Umanah family. The legal implications of this closure are still unfolding, with the matter currently in court and awaiting resolution.