FG speaks on banning ‘Gangs of Lagos’

The federal government has spoken on taking action against the political and crime thriller, “Gangs of Lagos”.

Recall that the TV show has sparked controversy since it was released on Amazon Prime Video over its portrayal of certain aspects of Lagos cultural heritage.

Many, especially Lagos indigenes, have expressed their displeasure at the depiction of the Ẹyọ Masquerade as the veneer of criminality instead of using it to showcase the richness of Lagos culture.

The Lagos State government had described it as ‘cultural misinterpretation‘

Weighing on the issue, The Executive Director and CEO of The National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, said the board is not legally furnished to go after the maker of the movie.

According to him, the regulatory body can’t take any action against the movie for now because the NFVCB has no legal backing to regulate what is being exhibited on the online platform.

Alhaji Thomas made this known in a telephone chat with Vanguard yesterday.

He regretted that regulating online platforms poses a lot of difficulties since it’s not part of the mandate of the Board.

“Have you seen the movie in any cinema house or being exhibited in any open space? Our job does not cover regulating online platforms.

“I don’t know why people are referring to the Censors Board to take action. We have a bill before the National Assembly seeking to empower the Board to regulate online platforms and any other platforms where movies are exhibited.

“Online platform is difficult to regulate and it’s not part of our mandate,” Alhaji Thomas explained.

His explanation became necessary as Lagos indigenes, on the platform of Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) recently petitioned the Censors Board over alleged defamation of their community and Eyo masquerade in the ‘Gangs of Lagos’ film.