Court Orders Gangs of Lagos Producers to Apologise for Cultural Misappropriation 

Yinka  Olatunbosun 

In a landmark ruling, Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court recently ordered the producers of the movie Gangs of Lagos and Amazon Web Services to issue a formal apology to the Isale Eko Descendants Union. The court’s decision stems from the film’s inaccurate and insensitive portrayal of the Isale Eko people’s cultural heritage.

The lawsuit, filed by the Isale Eko Descendants Union, alleged that the movie’s depiction of the Eyo Masquerade was not only erroneous but also scandalous, as it associated the revered cultural symbol with violence and gangsterism.

Fortunately, the fact that both parties have reached an amicable resolution, opting to settle the dispute out of court, underscores the importance of respecting cultural sensitivities and the need for responsible storytelling in the media.

The Chairman, Isale-Eko Descendants Union, Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, in a press statement, commended the court for protecting the cultural rights of the indigenous community as provided in the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Nigeria is a signatory to.He called on the national and state film censors’ boards to be more vigilant in the scrutiny of films that are licensed for public viewership.

“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 utilising its cultural materials and resources,” he stated.

Gangs of Lagos is a 2023 Nigerian thriller crime film directed by Jade Osiberu. It was released on Amazon Prime Video on April 7, 2023, to a critical review. While many praised the film’s cinematography, engaging script, and strong performances, others found it to be a familiar take on the Nigerian gangster genre and a misappropriation of cultural heritage.

The controversy surrounding the portrayal of Eyo masquerades in the movie “Gangs of Lagos” is quite intense; largely criticised for its depiction of the Eyo masquerade as a tool for violence and gangsterism.

However, others have argued that the movie is a work of fiction and should not be taken as a representation of the real Eyo masquerade or Lagos culture.

Indeed, it was argued that the movie misrepresents the cultural significance of the Eyo masquerade, a symbol of Lagos’ rich cultural heritage, and that its portrayal in the movie is disrespectful and insensitive.

The Lagos State Government, the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union, and other cultural custodians have condemned the movie, stating that it undermines the cultural values and traditions of the Lagos people. Some have even called for the movie to be banned or for the filmmakers to apologise for their portrayal of the Eyo masquerade.

The controversy surrounding the Eyo portrayal in Gangs of Lagos highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and representation in the media.