Court Orders Amazon, ‘Gangs of Lagos’ Producers to Apologize to Lagos Indigenes

A Lagos State High Court has ordered Amazon and the producers of the controversial movie Gangs of Lagos to issue a public apology to the Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) for misrepresenting their cultural heritage and traditions.

The court upheld the terms of settlement reached between IDU, Amazon, and 11 other defendants, following IDU’s lawsuit against the film’s portrayal of Lagos politics, thuggery, and street violence.

The Lagos State Government had previously condemned the movie, with Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, calling it a mockery of Lagos heritage. IDU also demanded ₦10 billion in damages from the filmmakers and Amazon.

Amazon argued that Lagos State had no constitutional power to censor films, but the court ruled in favor of IDU. Justice Idowu Alakija ordered Amazon to issue a formal letter acknowledging that the movie inaccurately depicted the Isale Eko community and the revered Eyo Masquerade, along with an official apology.

Reacting to the judgment, IDU Chairman, Adeniyi Kazeem, SAN, praised the ruling, saying:

“Today is a great day for the Isale Eko community and all Lagos indigenes. This judgment reaffirms the need to protect the inalienable cultural rights of indigenous communities.”