Finally!!!! Three Alaba traders arraigned for Piracy

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.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Chukwudi was charged with 11 counts bordering on copyright infringement and use of premises to promote copyright infringement.

Igboukwu and Ukwuagwu were charged with 13 counts, also bordering on copyright infringement.

In the first case, the prosecutor, Mr. K.J. Oluwole, from the Force headquarters, said Chukwudi committed the offence on August 14 on the premises of the Alaba International Market, Lagos.

He said the accused forged packets of uncensored Nollywood films, including Jenifa’s Diary, Lord of War, The Village War, My kids and I, What I want, Osinachi my wife, among others.

Oluwole said Chukwudi also engaged in 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 remanded in prison while he adjourned the case till Decemeber 8 for hearing of the accused’s bail application and commencement of his trial.

Igboukwu and Ukwuagwu, who were charged with similar offences, also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

They were alleged to have committed the offences on August 12 at a shop in Alaba International Market.

Both accused were said to have “flagrantly” packaged for distribution the following unauthorised works: Proposal of Arms, Sword of Justice, Brave Medium, Wedding Party, The King’s Wealth, A trip to Jamaica, among others.

The offences were said to have contravened the provisions of Section 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 till December 8 for trial and hearing of the bail application of the accused.

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

Source: (  Punch Newspaper )