LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State High Court will decide on October 9, 2023, whether to strike out a suit seeking to censor the film “Gangs of Lagos” and sanction its producers, following a preliminary objection by Amazon Web Services Nigeria.
The firm, a subsidiary of Amazon Inc and founder of Prime Video Nigeria, is challenging the jurisdiction of the Lagos court in the case.
Amazon asserts that the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, 2004 “is not applicable to video and film censorship in the state.”
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Isale-Eko Descendants Union (IDU), among others, has filed a suit against the film’s producers, seeking N10 billion in damages for the alleged portrayal of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and Eyo Masquerade as a gang of murderers.
Other claimants in the suit include Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni, suing on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye, and the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore, respectively.
The defendants are the Attorney General of Lagos State, Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board, Jadesola Osiberu, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Olumide Soyombo, Bankole Wellington, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Kola Aina, Greoh Limited and Amazon Web Services Nigeria.
Amazon argues that the Lagos court lacks jurisdiction to compel the Lagos State Government to censor the film under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, 2004.
The firm insists that the applicable law is the National Film and Video Censor Board Act, 1993, a federal act.
Justice Alakija has previously granted leave to Isale Eko Descendants Union to seek an order compelling the Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to impose a N10 billion fine against the “Gangs of Lagos” producers for their alleged wrongful depiction.
The court has also permitted the descendants to apply for judicial review and seek an order of mandamus directing the Attorney General of Lagos State and Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board to sanction the film producers under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State.
The final decision on the preliminary objection will be made on October 9, 2023.
