NCC arrests 8 pirates, confiscates over N7m worth of goods

The Nigerian Copy Right Commission, NCC has confiscated pirated goods worth over N7 million with seven suspects arrested by operatives of the Commission in the course of the seizure in Kubwa and Zuba areas of the Federal capital Territory, Abuja.

The Acting Director of Enforcement, NCC, Mr. Augustine Amodu said the anti-pirated operations code-named “Kuwa Cleansing”, aimed at checking unauthorized reproduction, possession and distribution of suspected pirated optical Discs.

He explained that the seized suspected pirated optical discs belong to various local and foreign right owners and are replicated illegally as 20-in- one, 80 –in-one DVDS AND CDs.

While warning dealers of such items to  steer clear, Amodu identified some of the titles as “Prison Break”, Cinderella”, Azonto”, Jewel in the Palace” among others.

Amodu further revealed that seven suspects were arrested during the raid and a total of 28,000 copies of optical discs, including movies and musical works removed with a breakdown of 19,000 and 9000 at Kubwa and Zuba respectively .

He noted that further investigations had been instituted to uncover the main sources of illegal reproduction of copyright protection works.

He assured stakeholders that the commission will continue in the fight against piracy and ensure that genuine creators benefit from the products of their creativity.

In a related development, the commission has arrested a cable television pirate in Durumi area of Abuja.

The suspect, Mr. Godwin Onyeuka was said to have engaged in  house to house connection of unregistered subscribers in his nebourhood without due process.

Addressing news men after the arrest, the agency  Director of Enforcement, Augustine Amodu, said the arrest was made through an interim report, which revealed that the accused was engaging in illegal activities of redistribution of DSTV services to other people  without due permission to do so.

He  noted that the commission had severally warned the perpetrators of the illegal act to desist from doing so, as the actions impinge  on the right of the intellectual property of the rightful owner of the product, describing piracy as a cankerworm that eats into the fabrics of the nation.