The leadership of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has handed over 75,000 copies of seized books to one Mr Kamal Olayiwole Giwa, author of the pirated book titled ‘Computer Studies Guide for Primary Schools.
The Commission’s Director of Operations, Mr Obi Ezeilo, disclosed the development while handing over the seized books in Kaduna at the Federal Secretariat.
According to him, The Nigerian Copyright Commission is ever determined to fight the battle of piracy to a standstill owned to its activities sabotaging the economy of the Nation.
- Bella Shmurda sued over copyright infringement, breach of contract
- Bandits abduct traditional ruler in Kaduna
- FRSC committed to reducing road traffic accidents in Kaduna – Zonal Commander
Ezeilo said pirates have constituted themselves into social ills and thieves and should be treated the same, adding that the commission was in the process of constituting a team to fight the activities of pirates seriously.
“As part of efforts to rid them out of the society, the commission had entered into a memorandum of understanding with customs to curb their activities in importing pirated books into the country”.
“This has been yielding positive result, as five trucks of pirated materials were seized in Abuja, and many across the country”, he noted.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Director Kaduna directorate Office, Mr Hassan, called on stakeholders to provide relevant information to the commission to excel in the fight against piracy.
He said the activities of those found to be indulging in the illegal pirating of original books, importing, exhibiting pirated books, plagiarism and other infringements that bothers book piracy must be exposed by all stakeholders.
Mr Hassan explained that the issue of Author Kamal O. was reported to the office in October 2020, and success has been recorded, added that Mr Lamin Manneh is now at large.
He disclosed the suspects had printed 17 400 copies and valued at the market price of #10,500,000.
Meanwhile, the author Mr Kamal O. Giwa, expressed his appreciation to the Kaduna Directorate office for a job well done and for being there for workers of literary works and musical works.