NewStats: 3,262,501 , 8,177,321 topics. Date: Monday, 02 June 2025 at 01:31 PM 3l472n

Lagos indigenes under the aegis of the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) have petitioned the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) over alleged defamation of their community and Eyo masquerade in the Gangs of Lagos film.

In a statement signed by the Union’s Chairman, Mr Yomi Tokosi, Gangs of Lagos released on Amazon Prime Video on April 7, 2023, scandalously portrayed the Isale Eko community and Eyo in the bad light of platforms for criminal activities.

The union expressed displeasure that Isale Eko was painted as a crime hub in the film directed by Jadesola Osiberu, and co-produced by Kemi Akindoju, adding that it brought the indigenes into blatant shame.

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 stated further, “In the movie, the unique Eyo masquerade indigenous to the Isale Eko community in Lagos was illegally and scandalously depicted as being used as a camouflage, decoy and subterfuge for murderers and gangsters operating in the Isale Eko area.”

The Union stressed that Eyo has been the exclusive cultural legacy of the indigenous Lagosians for close to 170 years, thus slamming Gangs of Lagos and its owners for viewing it in a “despicable and insensitive manner.”

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

It said, “Most importantly, the movie has brought the Eyo masquerade and the people of Isale Eko into disrepute, who are now deemed criminally minded in the eyes of right-thinking of the society.

“The Isale Eko descendants’ union is very disturbed that the culture and tradition of Isale Eko can be wantonly exploited in such a despicable and insensitive manner by Amazon 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 (NF&VCB) including other major stakeholders.

“The IDU has among other things requested that the NF&VCB 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.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/04/gangs-of-lagos-indigenes-petition-nfvcb-over-defamation-of-isale-eko-eyo/

I knew that film will have problems the moment they used Isale Eko. These woke youths do not have sense enough to get the view of those they want to trade off their history and heritage for their own momentary gain.

The Osiberus who I know are very good people from Ijebu Ode and that BB whatever boy from Ago Iwoye did not use Ago Iwoye or Ijebu Ode but he went on to use Isale Eko in a film that misrepresents Isale Eko.smh

They will likely recieve beating if they ever step foot on Isale Eko.
check my signature for free stuffs!

The isele eko i know is exactly as dangerous as depicted by that movie,.a fiefdom of thieves and local gangs,..from jankara to iga idugaran through desumu.

FreeStuffsNG:
I knew that film will have problems the moment they used Isale Eko. These woke youths do not have sense enough to get the view of those they want to trade off their history and heritage for their own momentary gain. The Osiberus who I know are Ijebus and that BB whatever boy from Ago Iwoye did not use Ago Iwoye or Ijebu ode but he went on to use Isale Eko in a film that misrepresents Isale Eko.smh

They will likely recieve beating if they ever step foot on Isale Eko.

Cultural misappropriation is very bad, it's better to kill the mis-information before it travels wide.

Great movie based on the legendary “Godfather” movie. That Isale Eko Union shouldn't stifle creativity in our fast-improving movie industry. The only issue I have with that flick was the not-too-real guns used in the movie. Also some other minor glitches like when Adesua Etomi shot Kazeem with a Glock, after the first shot, she lowered the Glock and primed it again to fire a second shot, it doesn't work that way, once a Glock is cocked, you keep shooting till you empty the clip. Epic movie by the way just like “Gangs of London”. I'mma chek out “Gangs of New York” presently.

Thank God the people that produced and directed it are Yorubas, some people would have started another round of propaganda and hatred.

Interesting. Generally speaking, it's a really good movie. I had my reservations though. It portrayed the Eyo in a very bad light. The Eyo are very revered in the culture of Lagos state. To show a murder carried out with the Eyo regalia on is very wrong. I don't think any the Igbos would be very welcoming if Mmanwus were portrayed as being used to assainate neither will the people from Cross River take lightly the Ekpe being used for the same.


It's a really great movie with superb acting and directing but respect needs to be paid to people's culture before you tarnish the image. People come from all over the world for the Eyo festival. Whats the point in changing their point of view? Lagos is already scary for any foreigner...no need to bastardize one of the few cultural tourist attractions we have.

Brendaniel:
Thank God the people that produced and directed it are Yorubas, some people would have started another round of propaganda and hatred.

Please shut your piehole...or should I say eba&vegetablehole

Good!



That movie should be banned outwardly!



You can't embarrass the real owners of Lagos and go scot-free



Every Yorubanza demonsss should go back to his state of aborigines not claiming Lagos including the ones that have denied their ancestry like Iragbaji, Ondo and the rest just because their states weren't developed by intelligent Nigerian elites


I have not heard someone saying leave Oyo or Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun for us...



Please comrades what happened to those states and why are they not paying special attention to the states like the way they are paying special attachment on Lagos


Or is it because it is been presently developed by red mud huts everywhere?

It's a cool movie, but I just didn't like how they portrayed the Eyo Masquerade

They will make the movie more popular sef

When u desecrated your tradition on the alter of politics you didn't know you were setting precedence.

Expect more soon.

make them go sleep

Nigerians too overdo. That was how they ruined the already bad Half of a Yellow Sun with their censorship. You don't see white Americans sueing blacks over their depiction of slavery and civil rights movement. At the end of the day, it's only a movie made for entertainment.

Misplaced priority.

No petition over thuggery

You don't trample on peoples heritage and expect them to look away.. acase study of lagos state elections

TemplarLandry:
Great movie! They shouldn't stifle creativity in our fast-improving movie industry. The only issue I have with that flick was the not-too real guns used in the movie. Also some other minor glitches like when Adesua Etomi shot Kazeem with a Glock, after the first shot, she lowered the Glock and primed it again, it doesn't work that way, once a Glock is cocked, you keep shooting till you empty the clip. Epic movie by the way just like “Gangs of London”. I'mma chek out “Gangs of New York” presently.

I have to check out gangs of London.

Brendaniel:
Thank God the people that produced and directed it are Yorubas, some people would have started another round of propaganda and hatred.

As innnnnnn! Na only Chike and Chioma be the "outsiders". Every other role "na dem"

This is what happens when you fail to adequately plan and prepare for a movie production!

These people should have been carried along!

Proper consultations should have been made prior to shooting!

Good. You can make your movie or your point by not disrespecting other people’s heritage and their home towns. Most people’s family
Compounds are in Isale Eko. Because they do not live there does not mean you should now rubbish the place. It’s very sacred and special to the indigenes.

Loll

RealJen:
It's a cool movie, but I just didn't like how they portrayed the Eyo Masquerade

,

TemplarLandry:
Great movie! They shouldn't stifle creativity in our fast-improving movie industry. The only issue I have with that flick was the not-too real guns used in the movie. Also some other minor glitches like when Adesua Etomi shot Kazeem with a Glock, after the first shot, she lowered the Glock and primed it again, it doesn't work that way, once a Glock is cocked, you keep shooting till you empty the clip. Epic movie by the way just like “Gangs of London”. I'mma chek out “Gangs of New York” presently.

You experienced

FreeStuffsNG:
I knew that film will have problems the moment they used Isale Eko. These woke youths do not have sense enough to get the view of those they want to trade off their history and heritage for their own momentary gain.

The Osiberus who I know are very good people from Ijebu Ode and that BB whatever boy from Ago Iwoye did not use Ago Iwoye or Ijebu Ode but he went on to use Isale Eko in a film that misrepresents Isale Eko.smh

They will likely recieve beating if they ever step foot on Isale Eko.

Was he the producer or director?
A criminal element disguised as eyo doesn't make the movie offensive.

Do these guys ever understand fictional stories atall?


Why are they fuming over rubbish?

Nobody's impression about Eyo will ever change because of a movie. This is a chase after the wind.

FreeStuffsNG:
I knew that film will have problems the moment they used Isale Eko. These woke youths do not have sense enough to get the view of those they want to trade off their history and heritage for their own momentary gain.

The Osiberus who I know are very good people from Ijebu Ode and that BB whatever boy from Ago Iwoye did not use Ago Iwoye or Ijebu Ode but he went on to use Isale Eko in a film that misrepresents Isale Eko.smh

They will likely recieve beating if they ever step foot on Isale Eko.

Mr oga .. even though the movie is a plain reality of whats on ground the ealier they open their eyes and see the better..its fictional.. what part of that do those jokers not understand .. all this now is for money ..

TemplarLandry:
Great movie! They shouldn't stifle creativity in our fast-improving movie industry. The only issue I have with that flick was the not-too real guns used in the movie. Also some other minor glitches like when Adesua Etomi shot Kazeem with a Glock, after the first shot, she lowered the Glock and primed it again, it doesn't work that way, once a Glock is cocked, you keep shooting till you empty the clip. Epic movie by the way just like “Gangs of London”. I'mma chek out “Gangs of New York” presently.

Gangs of London should never be compared with that Isale-Eko rip off!

Let's keep things honest here!

Don't insult a masterpiece like Gangs of London abeg!

Hmm....this would spur more people to watch it.

OK, you can't go to court.

Any right thinking person wouldn't think Ẹyọ is criminal or ìsàlẹ̀ èkó is a crime hub. It's a movie. Haaaaaaaa

Ok ooo