Broadcasting
NCC, Customs Impound Two Containers of Over 80,000 Pirated Books Worth N80M at Tincan Port
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have impounded two shipping container-loads of 80, 882 pirated educational books, valued at N80 million, belonging to different publishers.
The imported pirated books were intercepted at the Tincan Port in Lagos during a joint operation by the NCS and NCC.
Speaking at a press briefing during the handing over of the confiscated containers at the Lagos Office of the Commission on May 11, 2021, Dr. John Asein, Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Council stated: The seizure should send a clear message to importers of pirated copyright materials and other copyright predators on the resolve of Government to fight piracy on all platforms using every available legislative, regulatory, administrative and policy initiatives.
He continued: “I assure publishers and other copyright owners of our commitment to this campaign, I also implore stakeholder groups, particularly those of publishers, printers, and booksellers to join hands with the Commission to guarantee safe corridors for their works.
“We are aware that many pirates are taking undue advantage of the zero duty on books as these unscrupulous importers now make false declarations either to evade duty or as cover for smuggling.
“Without jeopardizing Government’s policy on ease of doing business, it might therefore be a good time to address the call from some stakeholders for 100% inspection of consignments of books and stationeries in order to check their illicit imports of into the country.”
The seized pirated books include: Macmillan’s Champion Primary Mathematics Books 3 and 4, Fully Revised Edition, Pearson’s New General Mathematics for Junior Secondary School Students, Books 2 and 3 by M. F. Macrea; Learn Africa’s New Concept English Book 3 for Junior Secondary School (Fourth Edition); Learn Africa’s New Concept English Books 1 and 3 for Senior Secondary School (Fourth Edition) by J. Eyisi, A. Adekunle, B. Adepoju, F. Ademola, Q. Adams and J. Eto; Learn Africa’s Nigeria Primary English Book 1 (Third Edition); as well as Children’s Bible Stories, The Beginner’s Bible Stories, a publication of Specialty Books, New York.
Dr. John O. Asein disclosed that about 30 years ago, the Management of the Commission (then the Nigerian Copyright Council) conceived the National Anti-Piracy Campaign.
In his words, “It was a campaign that drew support from individual right owners, right owners associations, relevant State authorities, the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Customs.
The idea was to harness the collective goodwill, resources and experience of critical stakeholders in tackling what had then been identified as an economic nuisance. Today, the menace of copyright piracy and other abuses have increased significantly into a humongous economic crime and a serious threat to the entire creative industry.”
He added: “It is in light of this that the Nigerian Copyright Commission has, in the last decade, deployed more of its resources to enforcement activities and continues to intensify its anti-piracy operations around piracy hotbeds across the country. This effort has led to the removal of millions of illicit materials –books, software, CDs, DVDs etc. – worth billions of Naira from the channels of commerce, but there is still more ground to conquer.”
The Director-General disclosed further, “Through the combined efforts of NCC and the Nigeria Customs Service, these consignments totaling 80, 882 copies of pirated books belonging to different Nigerian publishers with a market value of over N80 Million, were intercepted at Tincan Port.”
Dr. Asein stated, “Aside from adopting more wholesome business practices, right owners should also embrace proactive business solutions to make it easier for the consuming public and enforcement agencies to identify illicit materials. They should also take advantage of the boarder measure provisions under the Copyright Act and share credible intelligence with the Commission.”
The Director-General reassured right owners, investors and stakeholders across all copyright sectors of Government’s resolve to protect their rights and interest, while promoting congenial business environment to guarantee return on their investments.
“The Commission is committed to strengthening the copyright system for wealth creation, employment generation and ultimately for national economic development as part of a broader Federal Government policy to leverage on the creative and knowledge industry. This is particularly needed in view of the disruptions that have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright piracy remains a real threat to the nation and it must not be allowed to thrive”, he stated.
Speaking during inspection and handing over of the intercepted imported pirated books, the Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Port, Mr. B. N. Obiakulusi re-emphasised NCS commitment to the fight against contraband goods, particularly pirated books being imported into the country through the ports.
Mr. Obiakulusi explained, “Before now, people deal in all these books and like the DG said, you could not differentiate between the original and the pirated copies. However, through our collaboration with NCC, we are able to intercept the pirated books.
“I assure you no pirated book will escape our watch. We are working earnestly to make sure we bring all these things to a stop. I commend NCC DG for his efforts at fighting piracy and his staff for their aptness in searching for pirated books”.
University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has officially banned skitmaking, content creation and other video recording activities within its campus and hostels without prior authorization.
Mrs. Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, head of Communication, UNILAG, in a statement, said that the ban followed growing concern over the increasing use of university facilities for unapproved video productions, including comedy skits, vox pops and film shoots.
“The attention of the University Management has been drawn to the rising use of the University premises, including hostels and other facilities, for shooting of films, videos, skits, and similar cinematographic activities without proper authorisation,” parts of the statement read.
According to UNILAG, the decision aims to safeguard the institution’s image, maintain decorum within the academic environment, and ensure that its premises are not misrepresented in online or public content.
The university emphasized that any individual, whether a student, staff member, or external party, must seek and obtain formal approval from the institution’s Communication Unit before carrying out any form of recording or production on campus.
While acknowledging the importance of creative expression and media engagement, UNILAG maintained that all such activities must comply with its established rules and procedures to preserve order and safety.
The statement also appealed to members of the university community and the general public to strictly adhere to the new directive “in the interest of order, safety, and collective responsibility”.
Multichoice Nigeria Limited has been been ordered by Lagos Court to pay damages for breaching consumer rights, in rulings hailed by regulators as victories for consumer protection.
In Lagos, the High Court presided over by Justice R. O. Olukolu awarded ₦5 million in damages against Multichoice for unlawfully disconnecting a paid DStv subscription belonging to Mr. Ben Onuora.
The court held that the disruption caused undue hardship to the subscriber and his family, and ordered the company to reconnect the service and extend the subscription to cover the lost period.
The judgment cited Sections 130, 136, and 142–145 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
Reacting to the judgments, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) described them as landmark decisions that reinforce Nigeria’s consumer protection framework.
In a statement signed by Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, director of Corporate Affairs for Mr. Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman, FCCPC, said the rulings demonstrate the effectiveness of judicial enforcement under the FCCPA.
“These outcomes strengthen consumer confidence and marketplace accountability,” Bello said, commending the judiciary and encouraging consumers to continue seeking redress through lawful channels.
Between March and August 2025, the FCCPC facilitated recoveries exceeding ₦10 billion for consumers across 30 sectors, according to the Commission.
The FCCPC reiterated its commitment to promoting fair markets and protecting consumer rights nationwide.
MultiChoice Group is set to delist from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on December 10 2025, after Canal+ secured control of more than 90% of its shares, effectively completing its takeover of the African pay-TV giant.
The Group, in a notice to shareholders at the weekend, announced that trading of its shares on both the JSE and A2X will be suspended from Monday, October 27, 2025.
The official delisting date of December 10 is pending regulatory approvals from the JSE, A2X, and the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank.
Canal+, a French media conglomerate and subsidiary of Vivendi, crossed the 90% shareholding threshold, enabling it to invoke Section 124(1) of South Africa’s Companies Act.
This legal provision allows Canal+ to compulsorily acquire all remaining MultiChoice shares from shareholders who did not accept its offer.
According to the notice, Canal+ will acquire the remaining shares on the same terms and offer price presented during the takeover bid.
“The Remaining MultiChoice Shareholders are reminded of their rights to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction within 30 business days after receiving the Notice in terms of section 124(2) of the Companies Act (“Section 124(2) Rights”).” The notice read.
If no legal challenges are raised, Canal+ will complete the compulsory acquisition six weeks after the notice date, finalising MultiChoice’s transition into a wholly owned subsidiary of the French media group.
The delisting will mark the end of MultiChoice’s 6-year presence on the JSE, where it was listed in 2019 following its spin-off from Naspers.
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