Gangs of Lagos: Indigenes petition NFVCB over defamation of Isale Eko, Eyo Masquerade

 Residents of Lagos who are represented by the Isale Eko Descendants' Union (IDU) have petitioned the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) over claimed defamation of their community and the Eyo masquerade in the Gangs of Lagos movie.

Gangs of Lagos, which debuted on Amazon Prime Video on April 7, 2023, scandalously misrepresented the Isale Eko neighborhood and Eyo as hubs for criminal activity, according to a statement written by the Union's Chairman, Mr. Yomi Tokosi.

The union said that the Jadesola Osiberu- and Kemi Akindoju-coproduced movie depicted Isale Eko as a crime hotspot, putting the locals in an outright bad light.

The statement read, "The attention of the Isale Eko Descendants' Union (IDU) has been drawn to the very disturbing violent images in a new movie directed by Jade Osiberu and Kemi Lala Akindoju, executive produced by Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Olumide Soyombo, Bankole Wellington, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, and Kola Aina; and filmed by Greoh Studios, and released by Amazon's Prime Video Nigeria called gangs of Lagos."

The union said that the Jadesola Osiberu- and Kemi Akindoju-coproduced movie depicted Isale Eko as a crime hotspot, putting the locals in an outright bad light.

The statement read, "The attention of the Isale Eko Descendants' Union (IDU) has been drawn to the very disturbing violent images in a new movie directed by Jade Osiberu and Kemi Lala Akindoju, executive produced by Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Olumide Soyombo, Bankole Wellington, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, and Kola Aina; and filmed by Greoh Studios, and released by Amazon's Prime Video Nigeria called gangs of Lagos."

IDU continued, "The movie illegally and scandalously represented the distinctive Eyo masquerade endemic to the Isale Eko community in Lagos as being employed as a camouflage, decoy, and subterfuge for murders and gangsters operating in the Isale Eko area.

The Union emphasized that for nearly 170 years, Eyo has been the sole cultural inheritance of the indigenous people of Lagos, and it criticized Gangs of Lagos and its owners for treating it in such a "despicable and insensitive manner."

For the avoidance of doubt, the Eyo masquerade has been a part of the distinctive cultural heritage of the Isale Eko community of Lagos since 1854 (169 years). The Eyo masquerade is known as a masquerade for celebration in Lagos island and not an instrument of gangs of criminals as illegally and scandalously portrayed.

Most significantly, the movie has damaged the reputation of the Eyo masquerade and the residents of Isale Eko, who are now viewed by right-thinking sections of society as criminally inclined. 

"The Isale Eko descendants' union is deeply troubled that Amazon Prime Video may so blatantly and insensitively exploit Isale Eko culture and custom to the detriment of the Isale Eko community.

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NF&VCB) has received a petition from the IDU and other significant parties over the film's illegal and scandalous depiction of the Eyo masquerade.

"The IDU has, among other things, asked the NF&VCB to revoke the authorization given to the film Gangs of Lagos and to order the removal of the film from all publicly accessible viewing channels. In addition, the IDU and other community stakeholders will be exploring legal action for the harm done to the Isale Eko community's culture, history, and reputation, as well as the Eyo masquerade.