3 Alaba traders arraigned over piracy of Nollywood films

Lagos – Three Alaba Traders, charged with copyright infringement, on Thursday appeared in a Federal High Court in Lagos.

The accused are: David Chukwudi, Austin Igboukwu, Ugochukwu Ukwuagu.

Chukwudi was charged on 11-count charge bordering on copyright infringement and use of premises to promote copyright infringement.

Igboukwu and Ukwuagwu were charged on 13-count charge also bordering on copyright infringement.

In the first charge, the prosecutor, Mr K.J Oluwole from the Police Force Headquarters, said that Chukwudi committed the offence on Aug. 14, in the premises of the Alaba International Market. Lagos.

He said the accused forged packets of uncensored Nollywood films.

The said films were: “Jennifa’s Diary“, “Lord of War“, “The Village War“, “My kids and I“, “What I want“, “Osinachi my wife’’, among others, for illegal distribution.

Oluwole said Chukwudi also engaged in the unauthorised recording of the said works as well as utilising his business premises for copyright infringement.

Chukwudi, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Muslim Hassan, in a short ruling, ordered Chukwudi to be his remanded in prison while he adjourned the case to Dec. 8 for hearing of the accused’s bail application and commence Chukwudi’s trial.

Meanwhile, Igboukwu and Ukwuagwu were charged on 13-count charge bordering on similar offences also pleaded not guilty to the charges

They were alleged to have committed the offences on Aug. 12 also at a shop in Alaba International market.

Both accused were said to have flagrantly packaged for distribution, the following unauthorised works.

The unauthorised works were: “Proposal of Arms“, “Sword of Justice“, “Brave Medium“, “Wedding party“, “The king’s wealth’’, “A trip to Jamaica“ among others.

They were alleged to have packaged the works worth millions of naira,for illegal exhibition and distribution.

The offences contravene the provisions of Sections 58 of the Nigeria Films and Video Censor Board Act, 2004 and Section 20 of the Copyright Act, Cap 28, Laws of The Federation, 2004.

Justice Hassan also adjourned the case until Dec. 8 for trial and hearing of the bail application of the accused.

He also ordered that the accused be remanded in prison, pending next adjourned date.