The Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) has expressed satisfaction with a court ruling directing the producers of the movie *Gangs of Lagos* to apologise for the way the Eyo masquerade was depicted in the film.
A Lagos High Court approved the settlement terms between the IDU and the film’s producers following a lawsuit over the controversial portrayal of the masquerade and Isale Eko as a hub of criminal activity.
The movie, directed by Jade Osiberu and produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, was released on Amazon Prime Video on April 7, 2023. It faced criticism for allegedly misrepresenting the cultural heritage of Isale Eko and its traditional Eyo festival.
The IDU had sued Amazon and the filmmakers, demanding N10 billion in damages. However, in a ruling dated February 20, Justice Idowu Alakija confirmed that both parties had opted for an amicable resolution.
As part of the settlement, the court ordered the film’s producers, including Osiberu, Akindoju, and Greoh Limited, to issue a letter acknowledging that the movie misrepresented the Eyo masquerade and the peace-loving nature of the Isale Eko people. Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited was also instructed to issue a similar apology on its official letterhead.
Following the ruling, IDU Chairman Adeniji Kazeem (SAN) welcomed the outcome, stating that it set an important precedent for protecting indigenous cultural heritage in Nigeria. He also called on national and state film censors to be more vigilant in scrutinizing films that misrepresent Nigerian cultures.
