NCC Arrests 25 Suspected Pirates

The Lagos Zonal Office of Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), says it arrested 25 persons engaged in pirating creative works and seized N105 million goods in the last nine months.

Mr Obi Ezeilo, Zonal Manager, said on Tuesday in Lagos that the commission carried out the raid in Mushin, Ojo, Shomolu, Festac town and Ikorodu.

He added that the action was also extended to some major markets in the state.

“The commission carried out a very huge raid in Bariga, Alaba Market, Festac town and Ojo about one month ago and we arrested several pirates.

“We arrested 25 pirates between January and September.

“The total estimated value of seized pirated goods in the first, second and third quarter of the year is about N105 million,“ he said.

Ezielo said the commission was intensifying efforts to maintain its zero-tolerance policy against piracy, as part of its plans for the year.

The manager said that some of the suspects have been charged to the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Ezielo said that the commission conducted anti-piracy inspection in professional print, publishers and CDs’ distribution outlets within Lagos metropolis, where it made some seizures.

He stressed that the commission had stepped up its operations in the last quarter of the year, to curtail the activity of those engaged in the nefarious act.

Ezeilo said that in spite of the financial challenges being experienced by the commission, it had achieved a lot in the last nine months.

He said that it needed more funds to achieve its set mandate.