The Isale-Eko community in Lagos celebrates a landmark legal victory after the court ruled in their favour, affirming their intellectual property rights over cultural representations in “Gangs of Lagos.”

Today marks a significant victory for the Isale-Eko community in Lagos State, as the Lagos High Court, under Honourable Justice Idowu Alakija, issued a landmark ruling recognising the intellectual property rights of indigenous peoples in their cultural heritage.

The ruling came as a direct response to the controversy surrounding the movie titled *Gangs of Lagos*, which the Isale-Eko Descendants Union claimed had erroneously portrayed and disparaged the community’s traditions, particularly the respected Eyo Masquerade.

In a case that has garnered widespread attention, the Isale-Eko Descendants Union, represented by a robust legal team led by Mr. Supo Shasore SAN, successfully argued that the filmmakers, along with Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited and 11 other defendants, had used the Isale-Eko people’s cultural elements without permission.

The court recognised the validity of the community’s claims, affirming that no exploitation or use of indigenous cultural rights can occur without the express consent of the community.

The court’s ruling was a pivotal moment, not just for Isale-Eko, but for indigenous communities at large. The judgement underlined that indigenous peoples have inalienable cultural rights, which must be vigorously protected under both national and international law, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

These rights, the court noted, should be respected across all mediums, from cinemas to digital platforms, ensuring that the cultural expressions of indigenous communities are not exploited without their consent.

As part of the judgement, the 12th Respondent, Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited, was directed to issue an official letter recognising the position of the Isale-Eko Descendants Union.

The letter will confirm the community’s rights over their cultural heritage and will include an unreserved apology for the portrayal of the Isale-Eko traditions in the film.

This ruling provides a firm legal precedent for how indigenous communities can safeguard their intellectual property in an increasingly globalised entertainment industry.

The Isale-Eko Descendants Union, in a statement following the judgement, expressed their gratitude to the Lagos State Attorney General for their positive involvement in resolving the dispute.

They also thanked their royal father, Alaiyeluwa Oba Riliwanu Akiolu I, the Oba of Lagos, for his continued support and leadership. The community also acknowledged the backing of their legal team and well-meaning Lagosians who offered both spiritual and physical support throughout the legal battle.

“This is a victory not just for the Isale-Eko community but for all indigenous peoples,” said a spokesperson for the Isale-Eko Descendants Union.

“Today, we have been vindicated in our claim that our culture and heritage are invaluable and must be protected. We are grateful for the court’s recognition of our rights and for the support of everyone who helped make this possible.”

The judgement, which affirms the intellectual property rights of the Isale-Eko people, also sends a clear message to filmmakers, digital platforms, and other industries that indigenous communities will no longer tolerate the uncredited use or misrepresentation of their cultural heritage.

The Isale-Eko Descendants Union’s victory sets an important precedent for protecting indigenous cultural expressions in media and entertainment.

Tunde Oladunjoye’s self-promotion around TASUED’s adoption by the federal government has backfired, with political figures distancing themselves from him

Tunde Oladunjoye, the self-proclaimed media strategist and political opportunist, has once again found himself embroiled in controversy—this time for attempting to take credit for the federal government’s adoption of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED).

Also read: Tunde Kelani’s Ayinla Wins Isaac Oluwole Delano Prize For Yoruba Studies

What was meant to be a celebratory moment for Ogun State has been hijacked by Oladunjoye’s characteristic self-aggrandisement. However, this time, his usual tactics have largely backfired.

Instead of receiving praise for his actions, Oladunjoye’s self-promotion has only led to an overwhelming sense of disregard. Once an individual whose media theatrics might have garnered attention, Oladunjoye now faces a new reality: his attempts to place himself at the centre of political discourse have been met with silence.

Key figures in Ogun’s political circles, party stalwarts, and even those in his supposed media constituency have deliberately chosen to ignore his advances. His desperate bids for validation have fallen flat.

This is not the first time Oladunjoye has used self-promotion to push himself into the spotlight. His modus operandi has always been the same: create media conflicts, present himself as a figure of importance, and demand recognition from the political elite. In the past, such strategies may have earned him some influence. But now, it seems, his tactics are no longer effective.

Oladunjoye’s aspirations have been clear: he seeks to position himself as a potential deputy governor under a leading governorship aspirant in Ogun State’s All Progressives Congress (APC).

His overt self-promotion and constant attempts to insert himself into major discussions have not gone unnoticed. However, the political landscape in Ogun is shifting. The elite have grown tired of his predictable antics and see through his increasingly transparent lobbying for attention.

Observers are beginning to voice a growing consensus: Tunde Oladunjoye’s brand of media manipulation and self-serving propaganda has no place in the corridors of power.

His track record is tainted with self-interest, an absence of genuine leadership, and an inflated sense of importance. His actions have made it clear that he views public service not as a platform for positive change but as a means to further his own agenda.

Political leaders in Ogun have made their stance clear. The silence surrounding Oladunjoye’s latest attempts to insert himself into political discussions speaks volumes. His era of relevance appears to be fading rapidly, and the political class is making it known that he is no longer worth their engagement.

While Tunde Oladunjoye may continue to engage in self-glorification and political scheming, the growing indifference from key political figures suggests that his influence in Ogun State has reached its limit.

The political elite are playing a more strategic game this time, one that does not include him. His desperate moves for attention, once met with mild interest, have now become a cause for silent disregard. For Ogun, it is clear that the state deserves better than a political opportunist like Oladunjoye.

The Lagos Assembly clarifies that its suspension of Alimosho chairman, Jelili Sulaimon, is legally backed, in line with statutory provisions.

The Lagos State House of Assembly, citing legal provisions, defends its power to suspend the Alimosho council chairman, Jelili Sulaimon, amidst public outcry.

The Lagos State House of Assembly exercised its legislative powers to suspend Alimosho Local Government Area chairman, Jelili Sulaimon, citing statutory provisions as the legal basis.

The Assembly responded to criticism from Sulaimon’s lawyer, Dr Abdul Mahmud, clarifying that their actions were in line with the Lagos State Local Government Administration Law and the Nigerian Constitution.

Section 24(a) of the Local Government Administration Law empowers the Assembly to suspend or remove council officials following investigations.

Furthermore, Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution grants the Assembly the authority to investigate matters under its jurisdiction.

The Assembly’s response stressed that local government councils, including their chairmen, derive authority from state law, which the Assembly creates and enforces.

The Assembly criticised attempts to sway public sentiment with emotional rhetoric, arguing that the laws are clear on legislative oversight.

It highlighted previous suspensions of the same chairman for violating local government regulations, reiterating the Assembly’s commitment to accountability.

It also rebuffed any comparison between the powers of the National Assembly and state legislatures in local government affairs, stating that only the state legislature holds such authority.

This legal stance ensures that the Lagos State House of Assembly remains the guiding force in maintaining order and transparency within local governments, further dismissing counterarguments that misinterpret legislative boundaries.