Lagos Island Descendants Seek Imposition Of N10Billion Fine On ‘Gangs Of Lagos’ Movie Producers

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A group, Isale Eko Descendants Union has been granted permission to seek an order compelling the Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to impose a N10 billion fine on the ‘Gangs of Lagos’ producer for the ‘wrongful depiction’ of Isale Eko (Lagos Island) as a den of criminals and the Eyo masqueraders as a gang of murderers.

The Union had threatened legal action against the producer of Gang of Lagos, Jade Osiberu and called on the National Film and Censors Board (NFVCB) to withdraw the approval granted to the movie.

They insisted that Adinmu Orisha’s play isn’t in any way associated with thuggery, violence and gangsterism as projected in the film.

However, a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square that granted the leave also allowed Isale Eko’s descendants to apply for judicial review and seek an order of mandamus directing the Attorney General of Lagos State and Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board to sanction the film producers under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State.

The presiding judge, Justice Idowu Alakija, granted the leave after hearing arguments of the Counsel for Isale Eko Descendants Union and others.

The applicants comprise Isale Eko Descendants’ Union, Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, who sued on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye, and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni who sued on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore.

They are challenging Mrs. Jadesola Soberu, Ms. Kemi Lala Akindoju, Mr. Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Mr. Olumide Soyombo, Mr Bankole Wellington, Mrs. Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Mr. Kola Aina, Greoh Limited and Amazon Web Services Nigeria for the alleged sacrilegious and scandalous depiction of the Eyo Masqueraders in a movie production titled Gangs of Lagos.

In her decision recently, Alakija granted the applicants leave to apply for an order of mandamus against the Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to ban the film, Gangs of Lagos airing on Amazon Prime, for its alleged false and defamatory depiction of the Eyo masqueraders.

Alakija also granted the applicants leave to apply for judicial review and to seek an order of mandamus directing and compelling the Attorney General and Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to perform their statutory duty under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and revoke the licence and approval granted to Greoh Studios and ‘The Make it Happen Productions’, the producers of “Gangs of Lagos” for depicting Isale Eko as a den of criminals and Eyo Masqueraders as a gang of murderers and assassins.

“To apply for judicial review and to seek an order of mandamus directing and compelling the attorney general and Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to perform their statutory duty under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and demand an account of the proceeds from exploitation and streaming of the illegal and defamatory depiction of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and the Eyo Masquerade, as a gang of murderers and assassins in the ‘Gangs of Lagos’ movie,” court document says.

The judge further granted the applicants leave “to apply for judicial review and to seek an order of mandamus directing and compelling the attorney general and Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to perform their statutory duty under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and seize the proceeds from exploitation and streaming of the illegal and defamatory depiction of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and Eyo Masquerade, as a gang of murderers and assassins in the ‘Gangs of Lagos’ movie.

“To apply for judicial review and to seek an order of mandamus directing and compelling the attorney general and Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to perform their statutory duty under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and impose a fine of N10 billion against the producers of the Gangs of Lagos movie.”

In a statement by its Chairman, Yomi Tokosi, on Saturday, the Isale-Eko Descendants Union said it would like to reiterate that it is committed to the protection of the interests of the community and its environs, particularly its cultural heritage and traditions like the revered Eyo Masquerade Festival and its icons.

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