Amazon Asserts Lack Of Power By Lagos Government

In a recent legal battle surrounding the controversial film “Gangs of Lagos,” entertainment giant Amazon is calling for the dismissal of the lawsuit.

Released in April, the movie offers a gritty portrayal of the violent and thuggish lifestyle prevalent in certain areas of Lagos. It delves into the intricate interplay between Lagos politics and the influence wielded by street power.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: BBN Star Chichi Takes Phyna To Court For Defamation

The Lagos State government expressed its dissatisfaction with the film through Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture.

The government deemed the movie a misrepresentation of the culture and heritage of Lagos, as it viewed the film as mocking the city’s rich legacy.

The Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU), representing Lagos indigenes, decided to take legal action against Amazon and the other producers of “Gangs of Lagos.” The union is seeking N10 billion in damages.

Amazon, in its preliminary objection submitted on June 30, argued that the Lagos Government lacks the constitutional authority to censor films produced within its jurisdiction.

It contended that the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, enacted in 2004, does not apply to video and film censorship in the state.

Requesting the court to dismiss the suit, Amazon maintained that the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State was enacted outside the legislative competence of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Instead, it argued that the National Film and Video Censor Board Act of 1993, an Act of the National Assembly, is the appropriate law governing film censorship.

Citing Section 25(1)(q) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Amazon sought an order striking out the suit on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain it.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Damilola Ogunsin Exposes The Stigma He Faced In Nollywood 

The presiding judge, Idowu Alakija, has scheduled October 9 as the date for determining Amazon’s preliminary objection to the suit.

It is worth noting that Amazon recently established Prime Video Nigeria and launched “Gangs of Lagos” as its first original production.