‘Gangs of Lagos’: Sanwo-Olu accuses movie of cultural misrepresentation, as Isale Eko group petitions NFVCB, threatens legal action

Government of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has accused producers of the movie series; ‘Gangs of Lagos’ of what it called ‘cultural misrepresentation’ over its depiction of the state and its tradition.

This is also as the Isale Eko (Lagos Island) community disclosed that it has petitioned the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to withdraw approval granted to the ‘Gangs of Lagos’ movie and direct its withdrawal from all viewing channels available to the public, including Prime Video and Amazon.

The group further threatened legal action against the film’s producers.

‘Gangs of Lagos’ is a newly-released indigenous crime-action thriller produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju and Jade Osiberu, and directed by the latter, and portrays the daily street life of mostly slum dwellers in the state.

The movie which runs in series showing on Amazon and Prime Video platforms, stars an ensemble cast of Tobi Bakre, Demi Banwo, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Iyabo Ojo, Bimbo Ademoye, Toyin Abraham, Chike, Eniola Badmus, Yvonne Jegede, Yinka Quadri, Pasuma, Yhemmo Lee, Adebowale Adedayo (Mr. Macaroni) and Chioma Akpotha.

The accusation by the Lagos Government is sequel to an earlier notice of action by an indigenes’ group, the Isale Eko Descendant’s Union, which had alleged what they termed ‘defamation of Isale Eko and the Eyo masquerade tradition’ as portrayed in the ‘Gangs of Lagos’ series.

Lagos Government, Thursday, expressed displeasure with the promoters of the ‘Gangs of Lagos’ film/series over cultural misrepresentation and for portraying the culture of Lagos State in a derogatory manner.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf and made available to Oracle Today newspaper, Thursday, said the Ministry, being the regulatory body and custodian of the culture of Lagos State, ‘views the film/series as a mockery of the Heritage of Lagos.’

The commissioner further expressed her disappointment with the promoters of the film, Jade Osiberu and Kemi Akindoju, ‘for portraying the Eyo Masquerade as a gun-wielding villain while adorning the full traditional regalia.’

“We are of the opinion that the production of the film ‘The Gang of Lagos’ is very unprofessional and misleading while its content is derogatory of our culture, with the intention to desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos. It is an unjust profiling of a people and culture as being barbaric and nefarious. It depicts a gang of murderers rampaging across the State,” the commissioner said.

According to Akinbile-Yussuf, ‘the Adamu Orisha, popularly known as, the Eyo Festival, is rarely observed and only comes up as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered chiefs and eminent Lagosians.’

“The Eyo Masquerade is equally used as a symbol of honour for remarkable historical events. It signifies a sweeping renewal, a purification ritual to usher in a new beginning, a beckoning of new light, acknowledging the blessings of the ancestors of Lagosians,” the commissioner added.

Meanwhile, earlier, the Lagos Island indigenes under the aegis of the Isale Eko Descendant’s Union, in statement signed by Mr Yomi Tokosi, the Chairman of the Isale Eko Descendant’s Union, and dated Wednesday, April 12, 2023, said the group ‘is very disturbed that the culture and tradition of Isale Eko can be wantonly exploited in such a despicable and insensitive manner by Amazon and Prime Video to the detriment of the Isale Eko community.

“The illegal and scandalous depiction of the Eyo masquerade in the movie is actionable and a petition has been lodged by the Idu with the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) including other major stakeholders.

“The Idu has among other things requested that the NFCVB withdraw the approval granted to the movie- Gangs of Lagos, and direct the withdrawal of the movie from all viewing channels available to the public.

“The Idu and other community stakeholders will also be considering legal action for the damage done to the culture, tradition and image of the Isale Eko community and the Eyo masquerade,” the statement read in parts.

However, reacting to the positions of the Lagos government and the Isale Eko community, a Twitter handle, believed to be a parody account of the producers of the movie, Gangs of Lagos,’ explained, Thursday, denied the allegation of misrepresentation leveled against it, stating that ‘it is just a movie and it was not attributed to reality.’

According to the responder, the Lagos Government should ‘rather than frowning, invest more in research institutions that can help preserve and sell our culture.’

“It’s not a misrepresentation; when the White House is represented in American movies same goes for British movies… It (is) just a movie and it was not attributed to reality, rather than frowning, invest more in research institutions that can help preserve and sell our culture.”