The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has intensified its fight against online piracy, initiating legal proceedings against Netnaija Media Enterprises and its representative, Emmanuel Analike. The high-profile case, currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja, addresses allegations of significant copyright infringement concerning music and audiovisual content belonging to both Nigerian and international rights holders.
Court Proceedings Get Underway
The case was heard at the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 12, 2026. During this session, the NCC presented its first witness, an investigating officer, who testified in support of the commission’s claims against Netnaija. The proceedings followed arguments over a preliminary objection filed by the defense counsel on October 9, 2026. However, the court ruled that this objection was not yet ripe for hearing, directing the NCC to proceed with its case. The trial has since been adjourned to November 23, 2026, for continuation.
Details of the Charges
The prosecution, led by Gladys Isaac-Ojo, has brought a four-count charge against Netnaija and Analike, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/422/25, under the Copyright Act 2022. The charges include:
- The alleged production and possession of 1,458 infringing copies of music and audiovisual works.
- Unauthorized communication of copyrighted content to the public online.
- Possession of equipment allegedly intended for producing infringing copies.
According to the NCC, the alleged offenses occurred between 2023 and July 2025, contravening Section 44(1)(a) of the Copyright Act 2022.
NCC Responds to Rights Holder Complaints
In a statement, Ijeoma Egbunike, the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, clarified that the investigation into Netnaija was prompted by repeated complaints from local and international copyright owners regarding activities on the Netnaija website. These investigations ultimately led to the arrest of Emmanuel Analike.
Egbunike emphasized the significance of this case, describing it as one of the NCC’s major ongoing enforcement actions. She stressed that these efforts are crucial for curbing online piracy and robustly protecting the intellectual property rights of creators and rights holders across Nigeria and beyond.