Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Gangs of Lagos: Amazon Claims Film not Injurious to Anyone
Amazon Web Services Nigeria, a subsidiary of Amazon Inc. and founder of Prime Video Nigeria, has claimed that its film, “Gangs of Lagos”, is not injurious to anyone.
The company, is a defendant in a suit, No LD/6903GCM/2023, before a Lagos High Court, instituted by the Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU), following its production ‘Gang of Lagos’.
The IDU had sued the company, claiming N10 billion damages before Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court, over the contents of the film.
However, in a statement issued by Amazon in Lagos, Justice Alakija fixed October date to determine Amazon’s preliminary objection to the suit.
The defendants had queried Lagos State’s jurisdiction over the production of the film before the court by some indigenes of the state.
In the suit, the defendants are questioning the authority of the Lagos State Government to censor films and videos produced within its jurisdictionas stipulated in the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, 2004.
Amazon, accused of alleged depiction of the claimants’ territory as a den of criminals and its traditional Eyo as a gang, argued that the state’s Cinematography Law was inapplicable in the matter.
Equally, the defendants sought an order of the court pursuant to Section 25(1)(q) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to strike out the suit as it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain same.
According to the defendants, the Law under which the suit was filed was not relevant to the video and films censors law of Lagos State, explaining that the appropriate law was that of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act, 1993.
Aside the corporate body, other defendants in the suit are Mrs Jadesola Osiberu, Ms Kemi Lala-Akindoju, Mr Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Mr Olumide Soyombo and Mr Bankole Wellington.
Other defendants in the suit are Mrs Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Mr Kola Aina, Greoh Ltd. and Amazon Web Services Nigeria for an alleged sacrilegious and scandalous depiction of Eyo Masquerade in the movie.
The claimants are Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, who sued on behalf of Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni on behalf of Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore.
However, in its preliminary objection, Amazon challenged the powers of the Lagos State Government on its regulatory role in the case.
It consequently requested the court to dismiss the Lagos State Cinematography Law which they claimed was enacted outside the legislative competence of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The defendants claimed that the High Court of Lagos State had no jurisdiction to compel the Lagos State Government to censor the said film under its Cinematography Law which it argued falls within the provisions of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act.
The 1999 constitution, the defendants averred precludes the High Court of Justice from ‘’exercising jurisdiction over interpretation of the Constitution as it relates to the Federal Government and its agencies’’. (NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Court Awards N125, 000 Cost against Odumodublvck
An Abuja High Court on Wednesday awarded N125, 000 against a rapper, Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as “Odumodublvck”, for asking for adjournment.
Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi awarded the cost while adjourning the matter until Oct.
27 for cross-examination and defence.The claimant, Ogbogiri Okey Levi, popularly known as Kraziecent, instituted an assault and battery suit against Odumodublvck.
At the resumed hearing, the claimant’s counsel, Uchenna Ojembe, announced his appearance and told the court that the matter was slated for cross-examination and defence.
Ojembe said his witness was in court and ready to proceed.
The Defendant’s Counsel, Ikenna Magnus, however pleaded with the court to grant him another date to enable him prepare for cross-examination and defence.
Magnus told the court that he was just coming into the matter and needed a little time to put his house in order.
Ojembe opposed the application and told the court that it was the usual delay tactic by the defence to obstruct and stall proceedings.
“This is the usual delay tactic to obstruct and stall proceedings. We will not be applying to keep them out, but we will be applying for N5 million cost,” Ojembe said.
However, the defence counsel again begged the court for leniency.
In her ruling, Justice J.O E. Adeyemi-Ajayi awarded a cost of N125, 000 against the Odumodublvck for delaying proceedings
She adjourned the matter until Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 for cross-examination and defence.
The News Agency Nigeria recalls that “Kraziecent” alleged that Odumodublvck assaulted him at a public event in December 2024, damaged his iPhone 15 Pro Max and caused him emotional distress.
He is seeking payment of medical expenses, a public apology via the defendant’s social media platforms and two national dailies, or N2 billion in damages.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Hunger Changed My Mind, Timini Egbuson on Embracing YouTube movies
Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has reflected on his changing perception of YouTube movies, joking that he might have struggled financially had he continued to look down on productions made for the video-sharing platform.
Egbuson shared the thought in a post on X Tuesday night, writing, and “Can’t believe I was looking down on YouTube movies at some point.
Hunger go don kpai me by now. ”His remark highlights the growing commercial appeal of YouTube movies in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where actors and filmmakers are increasingly using the platform to reach audiences and generate revenue from their productions.
Egbuson, who has now featured in YouTube movie productions, has embraced the growing market, adding to his work across Nollywood’s film and streaming landscape.
Many Nollywood actors have long prioritised cinema movies, often seeing them as more prestigious and commercially rewarding than YouTube productions. As a result, some overlook online films, despite their growing audiences and earning potential.
However, the success of YouTube movies is gradually changing perceptions within the industry.
Reports show that Nigerian filmmakers were increasingly turning to YouTube amid the pullback by global streaming companies, with the platform offering easier access to audiences and fewer barriers to distribution.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
BBNaija Season 11: Keivo Becomes Second Housemate to be Disqualified
Keivo has become the second Big Brother Naija housemate to be disqualified from Season 11.
This follows his physical altercation with fellow housemate, Tram.
The fight broke out after Tram accused Keivo of taking one of his shirts.
Keivo did not take the allegation of theft lightly, and the situation eventually became violent.
It took the intervention of other housemates to calm both men down.
On Tuesday, Biggie sent ninjas to escort Keivo out of the house through the storeroom.
Biggie eventually gathered the remaining contestants and confirmed Keivo’s disqualification.
Nomy was the first housemate to be disqualified due to repeated defiance and refusal to wear an assigned punishment outfit.


