Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Amazon, demanding the removal of the Eyo masquerade from the movie ‘Gangs of Lagos’.
Directed by Jade Osiberu, the movie was released on Amazon’s Prime Video platform on April 7. However, it has faced criticism for portraying the Eyo masquerade, unique to the Lagos neighborhood of Isale Eko, as being worn by a group of murderers. The film’s portrayal of Isale Eko as a den of criminals has also drawn ire from indigenes.
The Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) has filed a lawsuit against Amazon and the film’s producers, seeking ₦10 billion in damages.
The Oba of Lagos has expressed his concerns, stating that the movie’s portrayal of the Eyo masquerade is illegal and damaging to its reputation. He alleges that the rights of the indigenous people of Lagos have been violated.
In response, Oba Rilwan Akiolu has listed four conditions that the movie producers must meet within 14 days. These include the immediate removal of the Eyo masquerade from the movie, providing a plan for restoring the holiness of the Eyo with permission from the office of the Oba of Lagos, and compensating for the infringement.
‘Gangs of Lagos’ is one of the latest original African productions on Amazon Prime, which was founded by Amazon.
