Entertainment

Producers of ‘Gangs of Lagos’, Amazon to apologise over portrayal of Eyo masquerade

A federal high court sitting in Lagos has approved the settlement terms between the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) and the producers of ‘Gangs of Lagos’ over the controversial portrayal of the Eyo Masquerade in the film.

Released on Amazon’s Prime Video on April 7, 2023, ‘Gang of Lagos’ was directed by Jade Osiberu and produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju.

After its release, the film sparked outrage over the “defamatory depiction” of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and the Eyo Masquerade as a gang of murderers.

The union took the film producers to court, demanding N10 billion in damages against Amazon and the film’s producers.

The presiding judge, Idowu Alakija, in her ruling, according to a legal document dated February 20, stated that the parties involved agreed to “resolve all disputes concerning the film amicably”.

The attorney general of Lagos and the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board were listed as first and second respondents in the lawsuit.

The third to 12th respondents included Osiberu, Akindoju, Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Olumide Soyombo, Bankole W, Adesua Etomi, Kola Aina, Greoh Limited, and Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited.

The court ruled that the filmmakers and Amazon are required to issue letters of apology acknowledging that ‘Gangs of Lagos’ “erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage” of the Eyo Masquerade and the Isale Eko people.

In return, IDU and its affiliated chieftaincy families agreed to withdraw all claims and legal actions against the filmmakers and Amazon. They also pledged not to pursue further lawsuits or complaints related to the film.

“The Parties agree that this Term of Settlement is binding, and the applicants shall not further commence, file, maintain, continue, pursue, or prosecute against the respondents, any complaint, claims, suit, arbitration, or other administrative or proceedings of any kind based upon or related to the subject matter,” the documents reads in part.

Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, Adeniji Kazeem, chairman of Isale-Eko descendants, said the community “feels vindicated by this judgement”.

Kazeem urged the national and state film censors to be more vigilant in the scrutiny of films that are licensed for viewing in the country.

“Furthermore, we assert that there are strong imperatives for Lagos state to revisit its
constitutional rights to properly oversee the production and censorship of films utilizing its cultural material and resources,”

Entertainment

We can not continue like this – AGN president reacts to death of Nollywood actors poisoned on movie set

The president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, has reacted to the death of two unidentified Nollywood actors who were poisoned on a movie set in Owerri, the state capital.

Nollywood actor Stanley OnTop, in a post via his Instagram page on Friday, revealed that four actors were rushed to the Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri, and two were pronounced dead on arrival.

He said the two deceased persons and other crew members ate rice and drank wine provided by the unnamed movie director after shooting a movie.

Reacting, the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) shared an update on Instagram on Sunday, stating that the actors in question were not members of the Guild. He expressed concern over the increasing number of unlicensed filmmakers in the country.

He also urged all actors and actresses to get ready for the annual prayer gatherings aimed at preventing deaths in the industry.

He wrote: “So sad some actors who are not members of Actors Guild just lost their lives while filming in Owerri. We have repeatedly warned that Actors must join the Guild to practice in Nollywood..

“Barely a week after the memorial service of our member Late JNR Pope, tragedy struck in Owerri involving two promising young actors.

“They are not members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria but this points to two things:

“1. The devil still wants this pattern of mass death repeated on an annual basis. If not for God the death toll in Owerri could have been four persons. Exactly the same number last year in Asaba. Please let all Actors and indeed Nollywood prepare for this year’s prayer outingwith @realjerryeze @streamsofjoyabuja

“2. We cannot continue like this. Everywhere in the country people just wake up and equip themselves with cameras and they have become Nollywood

“This is a bad trend. These people camp themselves in an unhealthy, unverified environment making content. Content creators have to be licensed.”

Entertainment

Burna Boy gifts Portable ₦20m for defeating Speed Darlington in boxing match

Grammy Award-winning artiste Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has gifted N20 million to controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, following his victory over Speed Darlington in their celebrity boxing match.

Portable confirmed the generous gift in a post shared on Instagram on Saturday.

“₦20 million from Burna Boy. If you wanna be like Odogwu, can you do like Odogwu? God bless your family,” Portable wrote.

Portable has been celebrating his win over rival Darlington Okoye, a.k.a. Speed Darlington, who has blamed his defeat in Saturday’s celebrity boxing clash on Portable’s alleged use of “juju” (charms).

Portable took to Instagram on Saturday to revel in his triumph at the Chaos in the Ring event, sanctioned by the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control and held at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos. He posted: “Champion forever. I believe in those who believe in me. Na God dey run am. Orilomo.”

Later that day, he shared another celebratory message on his Instagram story, writing: “Joy full my body, money don land.”It is worth noting that Burna Boy and Speed Darlington have had a tense relationship.

In 2024, Speed Darlington accused Burna Boy of allegedly having an inappropriate connection with American rapper Diddy to secure his Grammy win.

Following that, Speed Darlington was arrested over allegations of defamation and cyberstalking against Burna Boy.

Entertainment

Priscilla Ojo, Juma Jux say ‘I do’ in elegant wedding in Lagos

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo’s daughter, Priscilla, and Tanzanian singer Juma Mkambala, popularly known as Juma Jux, tied the knot in an outdoor white wedding ceremony on Saturday.

Videos circulating on social media showcase Juma Jux’s grand entrance and the touching moment Priscilla walked down the aisle with her father. The couple’s exchange of vows, met with cheers from elegantly dressed guests, was another highlight of the event.

The colorful event began with a star-studded traditional wedding held on Friday in Lagos State. Just a week earlier, Priscilla and Juma captivated the internet with five stunning pre-wedding portraits, describing their love story as “two hearts united as one soul, on a mission to forever.”

Earlier in February, the first phase of the wedding was held in Tanzania where Priscilla tied the knot with Juma Jux, in a traditional ceremony in line with the groom’s customs.

This was followed by Juma’s second proposal to Priscilla before her “family and dearest friends and with a ring twice the size.”

They also had a civil wedding in Tanzania before heading over to Nigeria for the second phase of the celebration.