Daily Independent Online.
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Friday, July 02, 2004.
Copyrights
Commission raids pirates factory in Lagos
By Ozolua Uhakheme
Arts
Correspondent, Lagos
A large quantity of
Nigerian and foreign artists’ musical and video works worth millions of
dollars illegally duplicated into cassettes, compact discs and video compact
discs have been uncovered by the officials of the enforcement unit of the
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) at Akina, a Chinese factory in a secluded
location on Ize-Iyamu street, Oregun, Lagos.
In a raid led by
the Deputy Director (Enforcement), Mr. Bayo Aiyegbusi Thursday afternoon with
the assistance of men of the Nigeria Police Force from Area G Command, Ikeja,
12 Chinese nationals were seen inside the factory that has duplicating
equipment worth over $5 million.
Four of the Chinese
were arrested and taken to the commission’s office for handing over to
the appropriate authorities for further interrogations.
Among works
recovered at the factory are CD, VCD and cassettes of Musiliu Haruna
Ishola’s Soyoyo, Oji Nwayo, Ogene Nwigbo, (Better Day for Jesus), Ifeoma Izeora,
Anne Iinyang and Gbemisoke. Other works are videos of Brazil versus France
world cup match, Seann William Scot’s The Rock Rundown, and Prince Gozie
Okeke’s Nnem Oma.
Briefing the press
after the raid in Lagos, the acting Director-General of the commission, Mrs.
Lauretta Njoku, described the piracy activities as not only an injustice to
Nigeria but also a great reap off on the artistes whose intellectual properties
were being pirated.
