The producers of Gangs of Lagos and Amazon Prime have reached a settlement with the Isale Eko Descendants Union following a legal dispute over the film’s portrayal of the Eyo Masquerade and the Isale Eko community.
In a press release dated March 12, 2025, the Chairman of the Isale Eko Descendants Union, Adeniji Kazeem SAN, FCArb, described the resolution as a landmark victory for indigenous communities and cultural heritage protection. He stated:
“Today is a great day for the Isale-Eko Community of Lagos State, All indigenous Communities of Lagos and Lagosians generally.”
The Union emphasised the importance of cultural rights, referencing the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which affirms that “the culture of indigenous people must be protected” and 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.”
Following a Lagos High Court ruling by Honourable Justice Idowu Alakija, the Terms of Settlement agreed upon by both parties have now been endorsed as a judgment of the Court. The judgment requires:
- An apology from the film’s producers (Respondents 3–11), acknowledging that Gangs of Lagos “erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People.” The producers must issue an unreserved apology to the Isale Eko Descendants Union.
- A formal apology from Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited (Respondent 12), which must be issued on official letterhead, recognising the concerns raised by the Isale Eko Descendants Union and offering an unreserved apology.
Expressing satisfaction with the ruling, Kazeem stated:
“We feel vindicated by this judgment and thank the Court system and the office of the Lagos State Attorney General for the positive role it played in resolving this dispute.”
This judgment reinforces the rights of indigenous communities to protect their cultural identity from misrepresentation in the media and entertainment industry.
