Entertainment Today
Censors Board Rejects Lagos Government’s Plea to Ban Gangs of Lagos Movie
The National Film and Video Censors Board, or NFVCB, has responded to the controversy that has surrounded the film “Gangs of Lagos” since it was made available on Amazon Prime Video by outlining the reasons they are unable to forbid it.
In a media interview on Saturday, the regulatory body’s Executive Director and CEO, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, stated that the board is unable to take any immediate action against the film.
He claims that the NFVCB lacks the legal authority to control what is displayed on the web site.
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Thomas bemoaned that regulating online platform 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 argument was required because residents of Lagos, acting through the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU), had petitioned the Censors Board for alleged defamation of their community and the Eyo masquerade in the movie “Gangs of Lagos.”
The Lagos State Government, on its part, said that the film was culturally inaccurate and inaccurately portrayed the state’s culture.
The video was seen as a mockery of the history of Lagos, according to the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf. The Ministry is the governing body and guardian of Lagos State’s culture.
‘Gangs of Lagos’ was co-produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju and Jade Osiberu and made available online on April 7 via Amazon Prime Video.
It featured the likes of Tobi Bakare, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Chike Osebuka, Chioma Chukwuka, Olarotimi Fakunle, Chioma Chukwuka, Bimbo Ademoye.
Other stars of the hit movie are Iyabo Ojo, Zlatan, Debo “Mr Maraconi” Adedayo, Yhemolee, Pasuma, Toyin Abraham, Tayo Faniran, Damilola Ogunsi, Funke Williams, among others.
