Gangs Of Lagos: 'I'll deliver a ruling on an application seeking to strike out suit October 9' – Judge

Justice Idowu Alakija of the High Court of Lagos State in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) will on October 9, 2023, deliver a ruling on whether to strike out a suit seeking to censor the film; 'Gangs of Lagos' and sanction its producers.

The judge arrived at the decision sequel to a preliminary objection raised by Amazon Web Services Nigeria to the suit designated LD/6903GCM2023, filed by Isale-Eko Descendants Union (IDU), among others, against the film.

Relying on Section 251(1)(q) of the 1999 Constitution, Amazon Web Services Nigeria had prayed the court to strike out the suit on the ground that the court does not have jurisdiction to entertain it.

The firm is equally questioning the power of the Lagos State Government (LASG) to regulate and censor films and videos produced within its territory as stipulated in the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, 2004 

Amazon submitted that the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, 2004 “is not applicable to video and film censorship in the state.”

It would be recalled that the Isale-Eko Descendants Union (IDU) had instituted the suit seeking N10 billion damages against Amazon and other producers of the movie titled 'Gangs of Lagos' for the alleged depiction of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and Eyo Masquerade as a gang of murderers.

Other claimants in the suit are Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, who sued on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye, and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni who sued on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore.

The 1st to 12th defendants are the Attorney General of Lagos State, Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board, Mrs Jadesola Osiberu, Ms Kemi Lala Akindoju, Mr Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Mr Olumide Soyombo, Mr Bankole Wellington, Mrs Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Mr Kola Aina, Greoh Limited and Amazon Web Services Nigeria.

In its preliminary objection filed on June 30, Amazon, the 12th defendant/applicant through its counsel, Muyiwa Ogungbenro, challenged the power of the state government to regulate videos and films. 

As a result, the firm asked the judge to throw out the substantive suit on the ground that the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, 2004 was enacted outside the legislative competence of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Specifically, Amazon is praying to the court for, "An order pursuant to Section 25(1)(q) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, striking out this suit as this honourable court does not have jurisdiction to entertain it”.

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