Lagos’ cultural guardians have flexed their muscle—and the ‘Gangs of Lagos’ crew is backing down.
A Lagos High Court has settled the long-running dispute between the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) and the makers of Gangs of Lagos, the Amazon Prime Video blockbuster that ruffled feathers with its depiction of the Eyo Masquerade.
The street-style crime flick, helmed by Jade Osiberu and produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, landed on Prime Video on April 7, 2023. But what was meant to be a gripping underworld thriller quickly turned into a cultural firestorm. Lagosians weren’t having it—the portrayal of Isale Eko as a gangster’s paradise and the Eyo Masquerade as bloodthirsty enforcers sparked outrage. The IDU didn’t just rant on social media. They went for the jugular, slamming Amazon and the film’s producers with a N10 billion lawsuit.
Now, after months of legal back-and-forth, both sides have reached a truce. Court documents dated February 20 confirm that Justice Idowu Alakija presided over the settlement, with all parties agreeing to squash the beef.
The filmmakers and Amazon have been ordered to issue formal apologies, acknowledging that Gangs of Lagos “erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage” of the Eyo Masquerade and the Isale Eko community.
On the flip side, the IDU and its chieftaincy families will withdraw their claims, effectively shutting the door on any future lawsuits over the movie. The ruling makes it clear: “The applicants shall not further commence, file, maintain, continue, pursue, or prosecute any complaint, claims, suit, arbitration, or other proceedings related to the subject matter.”
Adeniji Kazeem, chairman of the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union, is calling this a victory lap. “We feel vindicated,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. But he’s not stopping there. He’s pushing for stricter oversight from national and state film censors, urging Lagos to take a more hands-on role in regulating how its cultural heritage is portrayed on screen.
For Osiberu, Akindoju, and the rest of the Gangs of Lagos squad, it’s a humbling moment. The streets may love a good crime saga, but Lagos’ cultural gatekeepers have drawn the line: Some traditions aren’t for sale.
