The Nigerian Copyright Commission has begun presenting evidence against Netnaija Media Enterprises and its representative, Emmanuel Analike, over alleged online copyright infringement involving 1,458 music and audiovisual works.
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has begun presenting its case against Netnaija Media Enterprises and its representative, Emmanuel Analike, over alleged online piracy involving copyrighted music and audiovisual content belonging to Nigerian and foreign rights holders.
The prosecution, filed at the Federal High Court on March 2, 2025, involves four counts of alleged offences under the Copyright Act 2022.
The charges include the production and possession of allegedly infringing copies, unauthorised online distribution of copyrighted works and possession of equipment allegedly intended for reproducing such materials.
The case, registered as Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/422/25, followed complaints from local and international copyright owners concerning activities on the Netnaija website. The complaints prompted an investigation by the commission and the subsequent arrest of the defendant.
At the latest proceedings, the NCC called its first witness, an investigating officer, who began giving evidence in support of the prosecution’s case.
The trial continued after the court declined to hear a preliminary objection filed by the defendant’s counsel on October 9. The court ruled that the application was not ripe for hearing and directed the commission to proceed with presenting its evidence.
The allegations concern activities said to have occurred between 2023 and July 2025. The prosecution is seeking to establish whether the defendants unlawfully reproduced, possessed or made copyrighted works available to the public without the required authorisation.
The case highlights concerns about the impact of digital piracy on Nigeria’s creative industry, where the unauthorised distribution of music and audiovisual content can affect revenue for artists, producers, distributors and other copyright owners.
The commission’s action forms part of its efforts to combat online piracy and strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights in Nigeria.
In July 2025, the NCC, working with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), secured the suspension of MovieBox.ng, a website reported to have illegally streamed pirated movies, music and live sports.
The proceedings against Netnaija are scheduled to continue on November 23, 2026.