By Capital Watch Media
A Lagos State High Court has ruled that Amazon and the producers of the film Gangs of Lagos must apologise to the Isale Eko Descendants Union, IDU, for misrepresenting their cultural heritage.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Idowu Alakija on Wednesday, 12 March 2025.
The court upheld the terms of settlement reached between the IDU, Amazon, and 11 other defendants following a legal battle over the controversial film, which was released in April 2023.
The movie was criticised for its portrayal of violence and street power in Lagos, which the IDU claimed misrepresented the traditions of the Isale Eko community.
In their initial lawsuit, the IDU demanded N10 billion in damages, stating the film wrongly depicted their cultural heritage and the revered Eyo Masquerade.
The Eyo festival is a significant cultural symbol in Lagos, representing peace and celebration.
The Lagos State government had earlier condemned the movie through its Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, who described it as a mockery of Lagos’s cultural heritage.
The state government supported the IDU’s efforts to protect the traditions of the Isale Eko people.
Amazon, in response to the lawsuit, argued that Lagos State lacked the constitutional authority to censor films produced within its territory.
The entertainment giant requested the court to dismiss the case, maintaining that creative expression should be protected.
Justice Alakija, however, ruled in favour of the IDU, ordering an unreserved apology from Amazon and the film’s producers.
The court stated that the film had erroneously portrayed the cultural heritage and long-standing traditions of the Isale Eko community.
“The movie Gangs of Lagos wrongly depicted the Eyo Masquerade and the cultural values of the Isale Eko people,” Justice Alakija said.
“It is only right that an apology be tendered to correct this misrepresentation.”
The court further mandated Amazon to issue a formal letter acknowledging the community’s concerns and recognising the film’s harmful portrayal of their heritage.
The letter must also include an official apology to the IDU.
In his reaction to the judgment, IDU Chairman Adeniyi Kazeem, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for the cultural rights of Lagos’s indigenous communities.
He praised the court for recognising the need to protect the traditions of the Isale Eko people.
“Today is a great day for the Isale Eko community and all indigenous Lagosians. This ruling reaffirms the importance of safeguarding our cultural heritage and respecting the rights of traditional communities.”
The Gangs of Lagos film sparked widespread debate upon its release, drawing both criticism and praise.
Supporters argued it highlighted social issues, while critics accused it of misrepresenting the city’s cultural identity.
Following the court’s decision, it remains to be seen how Amazon and the film’s producers will respond to the order.
The entertainment company has yet to issue a public statement on the matter.
The case underscores the ongoing tension between creative expression and cultural representation in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.