Almost two years after Isale Eko Descendants Union dragged producers of the movie, Gangs of Lagos, Amazon Prime and others before Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square to seek an order compelling Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to impose a N10 billion fine against for the wrongful depiction of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and the Eyo Masquerade as a gang of murderers, the parties have reached settlement with the Isale Eko Descendants Union and have agreed to apologise for desecration an aspect of Lagos culture.
that in a recent consent judgement in Suit No: LD/6903GCM/2023: Isale Eko Descendants Union & 2 Others Vs AMAZON WEB SERVICES & 11 others delivered by Honourable Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court, the producers and Amazon Prime agreed to tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants –Isale Eko Descendants Union in this regard.
Also, Amazon shall issue on its Letter Head, a letter recognizing Isale Eko Descendants Union’s position that the movie “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People.
In a statement Wednesday, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem SAN, Chairman, Isale-Eko Descendants Union confirmed the terms of settlement.
His statement reads in part: “Today is a great day for the Isale-Eko Community of Lagos State, All indigenous Communities of Lagos and Lagosians generally. Today, the relatively small community of Isale – Eko in Lagos State was able to establish that along with other rights, there are inalienable cultural rights that accrue to indigenous communities that need to be vigorously protected.
“Indeed the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) states amongst other things that the culture of indigenous people must be protected. That indigenous people have intellectual property rights in their culture and there can be no exploitation or usage of those rights without the express permission of the indigenous communities.
“Today, Honourable Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court has endorsed the Terms of Settlement entered into by the Isale Eko Descendants Union (Applicants) and Amazon Web Services (Defendant) along with 11 other Defendants as a Judgement of the Court. The judgement amongst other thing provides that:
1. The 3rd – 11th Respondents (the Film Producers) shall jointly issue a letter recognizing the Applicants position that the Movie titled “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants – Isale Eko Descendants Union in this regard.
2. The 12th Respondent (Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited) shall issue on its: Letter Head, a letter recognizing the Applicants’ (Isale Eko Descendants Union) position that the Movie titled “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants in this regard.
We feel vindicated by this judgement and thank the Court system and the office of the Lagos State Attorney General for the positive role it played in resolving this dispute.
However, we must state that the National and State Film censors must be more vigilant in the scrutiny of Films that are licensed for viewing either on physical screens or on digital platforms beaming into the Nigerian digital space.
Furthermore, we assert that there are strong imperatives for Lagos State to revisit its Constitutional rights to properly oversee the production and censorship of Films utilizing its cultural material and resources.
Finally, I thank our Royal Father Alaiyeluwa Oba Riliwanu Akiolu 1 (Oba of Lagos), our Legal team led by Mr. Supo Shasore SAN, the Isale Eko Descendants Union Trustees, Elders, Members and all well-meaning Lagosians who gave both physical and spiritual support.”
Justice Alakija had earlier granted the leave for judicial review in an ex-parte application brought pursuant to Section 3 of the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and Order 44 Rule 3 of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
The Judge granted the leave after hearing arguments of Counsel for Isale Eko Descendants Union and two others, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN), Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), Mr. Aderemi Bashua (SAN), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, Akinwale Irokosu and Adesamola Alebiosu, Temi Tayo-Tiwo, Oyinkansola Tunde -Braimoh among 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 the movie’s producers including Ms. 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 alleged sacrilegious and scandalous depiction of the Eyo Masquerade in the movie production ‘Gangs of Lagos’.
But with the terms of settlement assented to by the producers, the matter will be rested.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE IN THE LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT LAGOS
SUIT NO: LD/6903GCM/2023
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEV AGAINST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF LAGOS STATB AND THE LAGOS STATE KILM AND VIDEO CENSORS BOARD
1, ISALE – EKO DESCENDANTS UNION (Suing ou behalf of themselves and the
2. Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye).
Bajulaige of Lagos
(Suing for Himself and on behalf of the Bajilaye Chieftancy Family & Eyo Iga Bajulalye)
3. CHIEF ABDUL WAHEED AYENT.
Sasore of Lagos
(Suing for himeelf and on behalf of the Suscre Chieftancy Family & Ego Iga Sasore)
APPLICANTS
AND
- ATTORNEY GENERAL OF LAGOS STATE.
- LAGOS STATE PILM & VIDEO CENSORS BOARD
- MS JADESOLA OSIBERU
- MS KEMI LALA ARENDOJU
- MR ADESEGUN ADETORO
6, DEMI OLUBANWO
- MR. OLUMIDE SOYOMBO
- MR. BANKOLE WELLINGTON
9, MRS: ADESUA BTOMI-WELLINGTON
10, MR. KOLAAINA
11, GREOH LIMITED
12. AMAZON WEB SERVICES NIGERIA LIMITED
RESPONDENTS
TERMS OF SETTIRMENT
WHEREAS:
1, The Applicants. as custodians of the customs and Indigenous ways of the Inale-Elko Community in Lagos State, and in their personal and representative capacity for the Bajulaiye Chiefaiticy Femily & Eyo Iga Bajulniye, and the Sasore Chieftaincy Family &Byo Iga Sasore, vide Motion on Notice dated 30 May 2023, commenced Jadiclal Review proceeding against the Respondents and the following Reliefs were sought
AN ORDER of Cortiotari bringing up to the High Court for the purpose of being quashed, the decision of the 20 Respondent contained in the letter dated 19th day of April , 2023, titled “RE: Petition against Illegal, Defamatory, Sacrilegious and Scandalous depiction of the revered Eyo masquerade in Nigeria Movie Production tiled “Gangs of Lagos” demand for outright ban of the movie and apology to lagosian” at paragraph 2, thereof, which purported to deny/refuse a regulatory application in favour of the Applicants;
AN ORDER of Manditus directing and compelling the 1″ and 2ed Respondents to petforin their statutory duty under the Cinemätograph Law of Lagos State and revoke the License and Approval granted to Greol Studios and “The Make it Happen Productions”, the producers of the Nigerian Moric Production tided “Garigs of Lagos” for its Illegal and Defamatoty depiction of the Isale-Eko Community as a den of ctiminals and the revered cultural and national Icon, the Eyo Masquerade, as a gang of mutderers and assaarins.
AN ORDER of Mandamis directing nad compelling the 1à and 21d Respondents to perform their statutoty duty under-the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and demand in account of the proceeds from exploitation and streamirig of the illegal and defamatory depiction of the Isale-Eko Canamunity as a den of cominals and the teveted cultural and national icon, the Byo Masqucrade, as a gang of murderers and assassia’s by the movie
“The Gangs of Lagos” from the 12 Respondent (Atazoh Prive Video
TV).
AN ORDER of Mandagsus directing and compelling the 1« and’ 2nd
Respondents to perform their statutory duty index the Clematograph Law of Lagos State and seize the proceeds from exploitation and streaming of the illegal and defamatory depiction of the Isale-Eko Community as a den of criminals and the revered cultural and national icon, the Eyo Masquerade , as a gang of murderers and assassins by the movie “The Gangs of Lagos” from the 120 Respondents (Amazon Pime Video TV).
AND ORDER of Manducus directing and compelling the 1st and 2nd.Respondents to perform their statutory duty under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and impose a-fine of N10,000,000,000.00 (Ten Billion Naira) against the 3rd to 12th Defendants/Respondents for the illegal and defamatory depiction of the Isale-Eko Community as 2 den of criminals and the keveted cultural and national icon, the Eyo Masquerade, as a gang of murderer and assassins by the movie “The Gangs of Lagos” from the 12th Respondent (Amazon Pime Video TV):
AND FOR SUCH FURTHER OR OTHER ORDERS as this
Honourable Court may deem it to make in the circumstances.
2. The Applicants and Respondents (Parties) desirous of amicably resolving all the Issues existing on the subject matter and in this Suit, have held settlement discussions and consequently reached an agreement to’ampicably settle finally, all Claims and Reliefs sought by the Pasties in accordance with the terms set out in the succeeding paragraphs of these Terms of Settlement
IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual promises contairied herein and in full and Enal settlement of all the clalms in thie suit, the Parties hereby agtce as follows:
a, The 3rd – 11th Respondents shall jointly issue a letter recognizing the Applicants’ position tit. the Movle titled “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing taditions of the Isale-Eko People, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants in this regard .
b,. The 12th Respondent (Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited) shall issue on its Letter Head a letter recognizing the Applicants’ position that the Movie titled “Gángs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Bko People, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants in this regard.
- Upon the execution of this Agreement, Parties hereby undertake and agree to file this Terms of Settlement in the instant Suit No. LD/6903GCM/2023
- In consideration of this Terms of Settlement executed by the Applicants (For themselves and on behalf of the entire Isale-Elo Descendants’ Union, the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family & Byo Iga Bajulaye; and the sasore Chieftalacy Family & Eyo [ga Sasore) the Applicants hereby irrevocably release and forever discharge the 1st and 12th Respondents, their affiliates, and their officers, directors, and past directors, shareholders, employees, successors, and assigns from all and/or any actions, claims, tights, demands and set-offs, whether in this jurisdiction or any other, whether or not presently known to the parties or to the law , and whether in law of equity, that they, their related patties or any of them ever had, may have or hereafter can shall or may have against the Respondents or any of their related parties arising out of or connected with Suit No. LD/6903GCM/2023, the underlying facts, any othet mutter arising out of ot connected with the fil, Gangs of Lagos,
c. The Partics agree that this Terma of Settlement is binding, and the Applicants shall not. further conmence, file, maintain, continue, pursue, of prosecute against the Respondents, any complaint, caits, suit, arbitration, or other administrative, or other proceedings of any. kind based upon of telated to the subject matter of the underlying facts or any otber mattet arising out of or connected the instant Suit No.
LD/ 6903GCM/2023.
- The Teams contalned herein shall contique to temain binding and enforceable on all parties, their sigents, privies, successors in title, and any person howaoever desctibed deriving title thereftom and shall be entered as the decision of this Court. in this instart Sult No. LD/6903GCM/2023.
- ‘The Parties represent and warrant to cach othet that this Terms of Sertement
¡ contains all understanding of the Patties among themselves nad between each other, in relation to the exconeous portrayal and disparaging of the cultural helitage of the well-espected Ejo Masquerade; and the peace-loving natute and long-standing traditions of the Isale-Elo People, in the movie titled “Gangs of Lagos”.
