The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has issued a strong plea to the producers of the film “Gangs of Lagos” and Amazon Prime Video, the streaming platform hosting the movie, to promptly remove and refrain from using the image and representation of the Eyo masquerade in the film. “Gangs of Lagos,” a film written by Kay Jegede and Jade Osiberu, was produced and directed by Jade Osiberu and Kemi Lala Akindoju, and it was released on Prime Video on April 7, 2023.
Ever since its release, “Gangs of Lagos” has faced considerable criticism due to its portrayal of the Eyo masquerade as the “first gang of Lagos.” In a statement obtained by our correspondent, Oba Akiolu described the movie as defamatory and sacrilegious, inflicting substantial reputational damage to the Eyo brand. The statement emphasized that the Oba of Lagos serves as the custodian and ultimate authority of the Adimu Orisa and its manifestation—the Eyo. These cultural traditions, which have endured for over 200 years, constitute the tangible and intangible heritage of the indigenous people of Lagos.
According to Oba Akiolu, the unauthorized usage of the Eyo masquerade in the movie amounts to the exploitation of cultural heritage for commercial gain without obtaining the necessary permission or seeking reference from the Oba’s office. On June 28, the Oba sent a detailed three-page letter to Greoh Studios, owned by Jade Osiberu, and Amazon Web Service, insisting that the image and manifestation of the Eyo be removed from the movie. Copies of the letter were also sent to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Barbara Scarafia (Vice President of Amazon Web Services in Luxembourg), the President of Isale-Eko Descendants Union, and Lagos lawyer Olasupo Shasore, SAN, among others.
The letter further demanded that the movie producers submit, within 14 days, a proposal outlining steps to restore the sanctity of the Eyo, a compensatory proposal for the infringement of intellectual property rights associated with the cultural heritage, and a draft of an appropriately worded apology to the Oba and the indigenous people of Lagos. The 14-day ultimatum is set to expire on July 12.
It is important to note that the depiction of the Eyo masquerade in “Gangs of Lagos” has drawn disapproval from various quarters. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, and the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union, as well as notable actors such as Jide Koskoko, have expressed their disagreement with the movie’s portrayal of the Eyo masquerade.
Meanwhile, one of the co-writers of the movie, Kay Jegede, clarified that “Gangs of Lagos” did not intend to denigrate the Eyo culture. In an interview with Vanguard Newspaper, Jegede emphasized that the film revolves around its characters, and the portrayal of a criminal disguising himself as a revered cultural symbol should not be equated with disrespect towards the symbol itself. Jegede hopes that the audience will perceive the story as a depiction of the triumph of the human spirit despite the challenging environment.
As the deadline for compliance with Oba Akiolu’s demands rapidly approaches, the fate of the disputed portrayal of the Eyo masquerade in “Gangs of Lagos” remains uncertain.
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