The Nollywood movie ‘Gangs of Lagos’ has been officially banned from public viewing and streaming.
Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) delivered the ruling on Wednesday, following a legal dispute involving the Isale Eko Descendants Union and other parties against Amazon Web Services and multiple defendants.
The court ruled in favor of the applicants, agreeing that the film misrepresented the cultural significance of the revered Eyo Masquerade and painted an inaccurate picture of the peaceful traditions upheld by the Isale Eko community.
As part of the court’s decision, the defendants were ordered to issue a formal and public apology to the applicants, acknowledging the concerns raised about the film’s portrayal of Lagos heritage.
The ruling stated, “In consideration of the mutual agreements reached in this case, the defendants shall issue a letter recognizing that the movie ‘Gangs of Lagos’ inaccurately depicted the cultural heritage of the Eyo Masquerade and the traditions of the Isale-Eko community. They shall also extend an unreserved apology to the applicants.”
This ruling reinforces the importance of preserving cultural heritage and ensuring accurate representation in storytelling.
