By Wilson Adekumola
About 3,377 copies of pirated materials have been confiscated by the Nigerian Copyright Commission during its raid in Somolu area of Lagos.
The NCC Director-General, Dr. John Asien, made this disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Lagos, explaining that on May 11, the commission arrested one Richard Albright-Nwachuckwu, for illegal reproduction of various school books belonging to Learn Africa, in contravention of the Copyright Act, 2022.
Acting on a tip off, according to Asien, who was represented by Director, Lagos Office, Mathew Ojo, stated that while the officers were acting on tip off in company of men of the Nigeria Police, arrested the suspect in Somolu, while the works were being collated.
The pirated works include New Concept Mathematics, 1,015 copies; New Concept English, JSS3, 1,577 copies and New Concept English, JSS1, 785 copies, making it 3,377 copies of pirated materials all together.
He said the culprit would be charged to court under the new penal provisions of the Copyright Act which now has stiffer penalties for criminal copyright infractions.
Asien said, “The suspect, who claims to have come in from Abuja to reproduce books in Lagos, was in the custody of the commission and would be charged to court soonest. Preliminary findings show that the offence was committed with the participation of other persons yet to be ascertained. Investigation is therefore ongoing to fish out other parties to the alleged offence.”
He stressed that the commission would make appropriate regulations on printing, warehousing, distribution and sale of copyright works, especially books as provide for in the new Act.
He called on right owners and the public to report any suspected activities in their neighbourhoods to NCC office close to them.
“As we approach the book season, the commission hereby cautions publishers, printers, booksellers and all persons assisting them in the value chain to exercise restraint and ensure due diligence before engaging in the reproduction, collation, distribution and sale of copyright works in order not to run afoul of the provisions of the Act.”
Publishing Director, Learn Africa Plc., Gbola Aiyedun, expressed gratitude to the commission for its commitment, noting that the commission has taken the right order to fight piracy activities in the society.
“This is really commendable and the publishers association is ready to cooperate with the commission to ensure a seamless exercise in tackling piracy surge in the society,” he said.
