By David Kabiyesi
The last may have not been heard on the imbroglio trailing the release of the blockbuster film, Gangs Of Lagos after Isale Eko indigenes filed ₦10 billion lawsuits against its producers over defamation of character.
The group is fuming over the producers’ move to portrayed Isale Eko (Lagos Island) as home to criminals. Besides, the group also complained about how the Gang of Lagos rubbished Eyo masquerades by portraying them as murderers.
Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye, and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni, on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore, tendered their complaints to court.
They are seeking to impose the fine on the producers, which include Jadesola Soberu, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Olumide Soyombo, Bankole Wellington, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Kola Aina, Greoh Limited, and Amazon Web Services Nigeria.
The complaints are also calling on the National Film and Censors Board (NFVCB) to withdraw the approval granted to the movie.
On its part, Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square presided by Justice Idowu Alakija granted the complainant leave to apply for judicial review and seek an order of mandamus directing the Attorney General of Lagos State and the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board to sanction the film producers under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State.
“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, impose a fine of ₦10 billion against the producers of the Gangs of Lagos movie, 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 and assassins in the Gangs of Lagos movie,” the court document reads.
