Court sends Netnaija boss to prison over alleged copyright infringement

By Priscilla Osaje

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Netnaija Media Enterprises, Emmanuel Analike was on Wednesday remanded in Kuje corrections facility after he was arraigned on charges bordering on possession of infringe copies works, making infringe copies works, distribution of infringe works and making infringe copies of works to others

Analike was arraigned before Federal High Court Abuja by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC.

Justice Suleiman Liman, however ordered that Analike should be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of the bail on March 9.

The Judge fixed the date after the counsel to the defendant, Nnemeka Ejiofor notified the court that he filed a bail application.

Ejiofor told the court that the application was filed on Monday and supported by 23 paragraphs of affidavits and a written address.

But the judge refused to give bench ruling and adjourned the ruling of the bail application to March 9.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Gladys Isaac-Ojo, Head/ Legal counsel to Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment .

According to the prosecution the defendant committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 44 (1) (a) of the Copyright Act, 2022.

The Netnaija boss however pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

Addressing the newsmen after proceedings, counsel to NCC , Isaac-Ojo said Analiga was arrested based on allegations of online piracy or infringement of copyright works, which includes sound recordings, audiovisual works (movies), of both local and international authors.

” I am so excited that we were able to get him after all efforts. It it a huge success and something remarkable because of the joy it would bring to the NCC

“It is a victory on our side, though the case has not started, but the arraignment alone is a victory for us,” she said.

Isaac-Ojo added that his counsel has the right to file a bail application under the law and the judge would decide, but for me I don’t have a say to decide on the bail application.

“We’ll be back in court on Monday for ruling on the bail application before proceeding to trial after a given date of trial.”

“He has the right to file a bail application under the law, so the judge will decide whether he will grant the bail or not.

” So just right as our lawsuit, we can charge the person and charge his company when a company is involved in infringement.

“He committed the act through his company, so that’s why we charged him and his company. The company is NetNaija, an online movie and music download site,” she stressed (NAN)