Three Arrested For Copyright Infringement in Abuja

THE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC ) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested three person’s for copyright infringement.

The arrest was made at Suleja market in Niger State where a total of 250 pirated copies of the Holy Bible were confiscated.

The Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Vincent Oyefeso, stated this on Friday, adding that other textbooks were also impounded.

The confiscated works amounted to about N1.5million and were seized during an anti-piracy operation in the market.

Oyefeso said, “The suspects are Kelechi Ugwuiro, Romanus Ojimba and Ebuka Chinedu, they were arrested for distributing and offering for sale suspected pirated literary works, contrary to provisions of the Nigerian Copyright Act.

“The confiscated works included primary and secondary school texts, copies of Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary and different versions of the Holy Bible.”

He disclosed that the Director of Operations of the Agency, Mr Obi Ezeilo, said the anti-piracy raid led by a Chief Copyright Officer, Mr Chukwuemeka Ngene, was as a result of the surveillance earlier carried out by officers of the commission.

According to him, further investigation has commenced to apprehend the main suppliers in the piracy chain and prosecute the arrested suspects.

He said the agency remained committed to carrying out its enforcement mandates.

The director called on the general public to assist the commission by giving information on suspected pirates and suspicious bookstores, through any of its state offices or on NCC website.