NCC, The Nigerian Copyright Commission, arraigned Emmanuel Analike yesterday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Analike serves as chief executive officer of NetNaija Media Enterprises. He appeared before Justice Suleiman Liman on multiple counts of copyright infringement.
Prosecutors Outline Four Specific Charges
Nigerian Copyright Commission counsel Gladys Isaac-Ojo led the case. She charged Analike and his company with possession of infringing copies of works. Additionally, she accused them of making infringing copies, distributing infringing works and making those copies available to others.
The offences allegedly occurred through the NetNaija website and involved pirated movies and music from both local and international authors. These actions violated Section 44 (1) (a) of the Copyright Act 2022.
Defendant Enters Not Guilty Plea
Emmanuel Analike pleaded not guilty to all counts. However, his counsel Nnemeka Ejiofor notified the court that he filed a bail application on Monday. The application included 23 paragraphs of affidavits and a written address.
Judge Orders Immediate Remand
Justice Suleiman Liman refused a bench ruling on bail. Instead, the judge ordered officials to remand Analike in Kuje Correctional Centre. The court fixed March 9 for the bail ruling.
Prosecutor Addresses Journalists
Meanwhile, Gladys Isaac-Ojo spoke to journalists after the hearing. She stated, “Analike 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.”
She added, “I am so excited that we were able to get him after all efforts. It is 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.”
Isaac-Ojo also explained, “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.” The case now awaits the next court date for the bail decision.
