In a recent development, entertainment company Amazon has requested the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against the controversial movie, Gangs of Lagos. The movie, released in April, depicts the violent and criminal lifestyle prevalent in certain parts of Lagos, delving into the city’s politics and showcasing the influence of street power.
The Lagos State government, through the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, expressed dissatisfaction with the film, citing cultural misrepresentation. As the custodian of culture and the regulatory body for Lagos State, the government considered the movie a mockery of the city’s heritage.
In response, members of the Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU), who are Lagos indigenes, initiated legal action against Amazon and the producers of Gangs of Lagos, seeking N10 billion in damages.
Amazon, in a preliminary objection filed on June 30, argued that the Lagos Government lacks constitutional authority to censor films produced within its jurisdiction. The company stated that the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, 2004, does not apply to video and film censorship in the state.
Consequently, Amazon requested the court to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting that the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, 2004, was enacted beyond the legislative competence of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
he entertainment company has filed a request, invoking Section 25(1)(q) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, seeking the dismissal of the lawsuit on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case.
In its argument, the company stated that the appropriate law governing film censorship is the National Film and Video Censor Board Act, 1993, which is an Act of the National Assembly that already covers the subject matter.
The court, presided over by Idowu Alakija, has scheduled October 9 to decide on Amazon’s preliminary objection to the lawsuit.
It is worth noting that Amazon recently launched Prime Video Nigeria, and Gangs of Lagos serves as the platform’s inaugural original production.