Nollywood - 3 film pirates arrested following raid by anti-piracy campaigners

Movies produced unlawfully and replicating machines seized from the suspects were estimated at N50 million.

An anti-piracy raid conducted in Alaba Market, Lagos, has led to the arrest of three film pirates who have been replicating movies protected by the law.

This was following a visit to the commercial hub by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) on Monday.

Premium Times reported that movies such as "The Wedding Party", "30 Days in Atlanta", "Jenifa’s Diary", "A Trip to Jamaica", "Wives on Strike" and other hit movies were part of the works unlawfully produced by three men confirmed to be the pirates.

Replicating machines and films seized by the suspects, Ndu Celestine, Okechukwu Ikuagwu and Austine Ugokwe, were estimated at a sum of N50 million.

Gabriel Okoye, who was part of the group that conducted an inspection at the market had this to say:

“The activities of the pirates crumbled the distribution companies and the N500 million I had already collected from BoI; I could not pay back till date. The Bank is now trying to take over all my property which I used as collateral. So, this is a big win for Nollywood."

This will come as a welcomed development for film producers who have been left to rue their loss due to the activities of pirates.

They can now nurture hope of a future which will see them get deserved reward for their hard work and dedication to their career.