Isale Eko Descendants Union has been given permission by a Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square to ask for an order requiring the Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to fine the Gangs of Lagos producers N10 billion for inaccurately portraying Isale Eko as a den of criminals and the Eyo Masquerade as a gang of murderers.
The court has also given Isale Eko’s heirs permission to file a judicial review petition and ask for a mandamus order compelling the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board and the Attorney General of Lagos State to impose penalties on the movie makers in accordance with the Lagos State Cinematograph Law.
Justice Idowu Alakija, the presiding judge, recently granted the leave for judicial review in an ex-parte application after hearing arguments from the counsel for the Isale Eko Descendants Union and two others, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN), Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), Mr. Aderemi Bashua (SAN), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, Akinwale.
Isale Eko Descendants’ Union, Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye, and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore, are the applicants.
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They are accusing 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 of depicting the Eyo Masquerade in a sacrilegious and scandalous manner in the film Gangs of Lagos.
Alakija recently ruled that the petitioners had the right to ask for a mandamus order against the Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board in order to get the movie Gangs of Lagos, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime, banned for its inaccurate and derogatory portrayal of the Eyo masquerade.
Additionally, Alakija gave the applicants permission to file for judicial review and to ask for an order of mandamus compelling the attorney general and the Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to uphold their legal obligations under the cinematograph law of Lagos State and revoke the licence and approval given to Greoh Studios and “The Make it Happen Productions,” the makers of “Gangs of Lagos,” for portraying Isale Eko as a haven for criminals and Eyo Mas
The judge gave the petitioners permission 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 duties 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
Additionally, the judge gave the applicants permission 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 duties 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.
She gave the applicants permission 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 Gangs of Lagos movie producers.
The judge gave the applicants permission to “apply for judicial review and to seek an order of mandamus compelling the attorney general and Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to perform their statutory duty under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State by instituting criminal prosecution for criminal defamation against the producers of the Gangs of Lagos movie for an unlawful and defamatory depiction of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and Masquerade as a gang.”
The Isale-Eko Descendants Union released a statement yesterday through its chairman, Yomi Tokosi, in which it reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding the interests of the community and its surroundings, particularly its cultural heritage and traditions, including the renowned Eyo Masquerade Festival and its icons.
