7 Held Over Copyright Abuse

The General Manager of Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria, Mayowa Ayilaran, his company and six others, namely, Louis Udoh, Halim Mohammed, Bajo Omolara Bilikis, Yusuf Adoki Benson, Olukayode Ajayi and Njoku Glady arraigned  before a Federal High Court in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, on illegal collections of royalties were unable to meet their bail condition on Tuesday.

They will remain in prison custody until they meet their bail conditions.

Their lawyer, Barrister Wale Adesokan was later seen in the court premises pursuing the perfection of the bail condition.

The seven accused persons and Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria were arraigned before the court on three criminal charges by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC.

In the first charge filed by copyright prosecutor, Obi Ezeilo, it was alleged that all the accused persons of 6, Olanibido Street, Ikeja, between 2010 and 2012 were collecting royalty dues by demanding royalty from Southern Sun Hotel of 47, Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Scarlet Lodge, 79, Yunis Basorun Street, Victoria Island, Blow Fish of 17, Oju Olobun Close, Victoria Island and also soliciting and granting licences on behalf of copyright owners without the approval of the Nigeria Copyright Commission and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 39(4) (5) and (6) of the Nigerian copyright Act Cap C28 Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

They all pleaded not guilty.

Their counsel, Barrister Wale Adesokan argued the bail application filed before the court on their behalf, urging the court to grant them bail in liberal terms.

Mr. Obi Ezeilo opposed the bail application on the ground that the accused persons were invited to NCC’s office but they refused to honour the invitation.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Nasir Yinusa granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties each in like sum who must own landed property in Lagos metropolis and swear to affidavit of means.

He adjourned the case till 7 February, 2013.

—AKIN KUPONIYI