Amazon Web Services Nigeria, a subsidiary of Amazon Inc. and the creator of Prime Video Nigeria, has vehemently denied any harmful intent behind its film titled “Gang of Lagos.” The company is currently facing a legal battle in a Lagos High Court, where it is being sued by the Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) for the production of the controversial film.
In the ongoing case with suit number LD/6903GCM/2023, the IDU has demanded N10 billion in damages from Amazon, alleging that the film’s content is detrimental to their community. Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court is presiding over the matter, and a preliminary objection filed by Amazon will be reviewed in October.
The defendants, represented by Amazon, have raised concerns about the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Government in regulating the production of films and videos within its boundaries, as specified in the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State in 2004. They argue that this law is irrelevant to the current case and assert that the appropriate legislation is the National Film and Video Censors Board Act of 1993.
Amazon, along with individual defendants Mrs. Jadesola Osiberu, Ms. Kemi Lala-Akindoju, Mr. Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Mr. Olumide Soyombo, and Mr. Bankole Wellington, contests the portrayal of the claimants’ territory as a criminal den and the traditional Eyo masquerade as a gang. Additionally, the film has drawn criticism from the claimants, Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye representing the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye, as well as Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni representing the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore, for its alleged sacrilegious and scandalous depiction of the Eyo Masquerade.
Amazon’s preliminary objection challenges the authority of the Lagos State Government in regulating the matter. The company urges the court to dismiss the Lagos State Cinematography Law, contending that it exceeds the legislative competence of the Lagos State House of Assembly. They argue that the High Court of Lagos State lacks the jurisdiction to compel the Lagos State Government to censor the film under its Cinematography Law, as it falls within the purview of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act.
According to the defendants, the 1999 constitution prohibits the High Court of Justice from exercising jurisdiction over the interpretation of the Constitution as it pertains to the Federal Government and its agencies. The defendants, therefore, assert that the High Court of Lagos State does not possess the authority to rule on matters related to the Constitution and its application to federal entities.
The court is set to hear the arguments presented by Amazon and the other defendants in response to the IDU’s claims, determining the fate of the lawsuit and the jurisdictional boundaries in regulating film production in Lagos State.
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