Broadcasting
Copyright Commission Seeks Collaboration Against Piracy
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in pursuit of its mandate of strategic engagement with stakeholders and efficient administration of rights, recently enlightened stakeholders of the Commission’s absolute empowerment by law to prosecute pirates with regards to enforcement of Copyright.
This was disclosed by Mr. Augustine Amodu, Director of Enforcement, NCC, during a three (3) day strategic meeting with stakeholders in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Mr. Amodu stated this in reaction to the issue of right owners carrying out enforcement activities using the Police without proper authorization from the Commission or knowledge of Copyright Officers.
While emphasizing on the need to fight piracy to the barest minimum in the State, the Director of Enforcement appealed to producers and right owners to desist from illegal duplication of Copyright works.
The meeting which was highly interactive with stakeholders drawn from the Music, Movies Industry, Producers, Performers and CD Sellers provided a forum to differentiate between original CDs and pirated CDs as the Commission calls for more collaboration in the fight against piracy.
Meanwhile, the Director also sensitized the Printers and Book Sellers Association on the provisions of Section 38 sub section 5 of the Copyright Act which empowers the Copyright Inspectors to enter any shop at any reasonable time and inspect any copyright material suspected of being pirated. He called on Printers and Booksellers to involve Copyright Officers in the state before embarking on raids.
On challenges faced by Printers and Booksellers due to high cost of printing and Publishers printing abroad, Mr. Amodu informed the stakeholders of government policy of Public Private Partnership to ease their burden. He further urged the stakeholders to desist from selling pirated books to the public and report any illegal printer engaged in such to the Ilorin office of the Commission.
In a related development, the Director of Enforcement paid courtesy calls on the Commissioner of Police (CP) and Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the State to strengthen the existing relationship between NCC and the securities agencies.
During the visit to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Amodu appreciated the Police Force for their support over the years in the fight against piracy while explaining the core mandate of the Commission to the CP. He used the forum to solicit for intensified collaboration against piracy in the State.
He cautioned the Police on the need to guide against Copyright owners who infringe the law by collecting money from sellers of Copyright works such as CDs and DVDs by engaging the Police for back up without the knowledge of Copyright Officers which contravenes Section 25 of the Copyright Act.
The CP promised to assist in the fight against piracy while assuring the Commission of a good working relationship.
Similarly, the visit to the Commandant NSCDC was marked with brief enlightenment on the mandate of the Commission, Intellectual Property generally and explanation on the various types of piracy such as book piracy, software piracy etc and other copyright issues because of the limited knowledge of the Civil Defence Corps on Intellectual Property.
Pledging the support of the Civil Defence Corps in the fight against piracy in the State, the Commandant called for more enlightenment on the activities of the Commission while lamenting the light punishment for pirates of which the Director Enforcement explained that the amendment of the Copyright Act is still in progress.
Highlight of the three (3) day visit was the interactive session with Staff of the Commission at the Ilorin Liaison Office on the way forward. The forum was used to explain further areas of infringement on Copyright and Cable Piracy.
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says the country now ranks second in Africa for domestic passengers, hitting 10.5 million in 2025—a 10 percent jump.
FAAN
FAAN boss Olubunmi Kuku disclosed this at the Airports Council International Africa conference in Luanda, Angola.
Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport posted 11.8 percent growth in air traffic movements, one of Africa’s strongest.
Cargo surged 34.4 percent at Lagos, cementing its top-tier status.
Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe and Lagos airports cracked Africa’s top 10 for domestic traffic.
Kuku stressed Nigeria’s push to host and shape African air links amid rising demand for modern, resilient airports.
Afro-pop star Joeboy takes centre stage this week as he features on the Easter edition of African Voices, the Globacom-sponsored magazine programme on CNN.
In this episode, the Nigeria-born singer sits down with show anchor, Larry Madowo, in Lagos, where he shares the story of his journey from a young university student with big dreams to becoming one of Afrobeats’ most recognised voices.
Long before global attention, Joeboy, born Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus, started out experimenting with music and sharing covers online. His 2017 cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” marked a turning point, helping him transition fully into singing and setting the stage for what was to come.
That moment soon opened new doors, including a connection with Mr. Eazi, who brought him into the emPawa Africa talent programme. This provided support and exposure for his music to reach a wider audience, laying the foundation for his professional career. The alliance also birth “Fààjí,” which featured Mr. Eazi in 2018, after which he was signed to Warner Music Africa.
Under this partnership, Joeboy released his hit single “Baby” in 2019, followed by “Beginning,” which has 23 million views on YouTube. He also released “Love & Light” the same year and featured Mayorkun in the tracks “Don’t Call Me” and “All for You”
Since then, the 29-year-old has gone on to release two albums, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic in February 2021 and Body & Soul in 2023, while earning recognition across the continent, including awards for his contributions to African pop music. He won Best Artist in African Pop at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and Best Pop at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.
The programme will air on Saturday at 7.30 a.m., with several repeat broadcasts scheduled across the weekend and into the following week. 11 a.m. on Saturday; on Sunday at 3.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. This continues on Monday at 3 a.m. and 5.45 p.m, and on Tuesday at 5.45 p.m. The schedule will be repeated next week until 3 a.m. on Monday.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), seeking to overturn a Federal High Court judgement that restrained it from imposing fines on radio and television stations across the country.
NBC
Delivering the lead judgement, Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi, on behalf of a three-member panel, upheld the earlier ruling and set aside the fines imposed by the NBC on 45 broadcast stations on March 1, 2019, for alleged breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The panel was presided over by Justice Abba Mohammed, with Justice Donatus Okorowo as the third member.
According to a statement issued by Idowu Adewale, Communications Officer of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), the unanimous decision of the Court of Appeal stemmed from a suit filed by the non-governmental organisation in November 2021, challenging the NBC’s powers to impose fines on broadcasters.
The Federal High Court, in its judgement delivered on May 10, 2023, by Justice James Omotosho, ruled in favour of MRA after the NBC failed to defend the suit.
The court held that fines are sanctions imposed on persons found guilty of criminal offences and, under Nigerian law, only courts of law have the authority to impose such penalties.
Setting aside the fines of ₦500,000 each imposed on the affected stations, Justice Omotosho stated that the NBC “is neither a court nor a judicial tribunal to make pronouncements on the guilt of broadcast stations, notwithstanding what the NBC Code says.”
He added that the Commission’s actions violated the Constitution.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the NBC filed a motion in July 2023, urging the same court to set aside the judgement on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction and had reached its decision without considering relevant facts.
However, in November 2023, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application, describing it as futile and an afterthought, noting that available evidence showed the Commission had been duly served but failed to appear in court to defend the case.
The NBC subsequently approached the Court of Appeal in July 2024, seeking to overturn the judgement.
Advertisement
At the hearing on February 4, 2026, Mr Victor Ogude (SAN), leading Mr Kehinde Wilkey for the NBC, adopted his brief of argument and made additional submissions.
Counsel to MRA, Ezenwa Anumnu, also adopted his brief and responded accordingly.
In its ruling, the appellate court agreed with MRA’s position that the NBC, having failed to contest the suit at the Federal High Court, could not raise fresh challenges at the appellate level.
Justice Oyewumi held that the appeal lacked merit and accordingly dismissed it.
With this decision, MRA has secured victory in the first of two appeals involving the NBC over separate Federal High Court judgements barring the Commission from imposing fines on broadcast stations.
The second appeal, filed by the NBC against a similar judgement delivered on January 17, 2024 by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is still pending. The Court of Appeal heard arguments in that matter on March 25, 2026 and has reserved judgement.
In that case, the NBC is challenging a ruling arising from a suit filed by MRA after the Commission imposed fines of ₦5 million each on a television station and three pay-TV platforms in 2022 for allegedly undermining national security through the broadcast of documentaries on banditry in Nigeria.
From Import Dependency to Local Capacity: Nigeria’s Tech Manufacturing Journey
NIBSS Says 28 Percent of Nigerians have Registered for BVN
NITDA DG Urges Stronger Collaboration to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Economy
Ogun Set for Direct London Flights as Gateway Airport Gains Momentum
Airtel Becomes World’s Second Largest Telco as Global Customer Base Surpasses 650 Million
Spotify’s Loud & Clear Report Reveals Over ₦60Bn Revenue for Nigerian Artists in 2025
Madonna University Taps Tech Guru Adote for Strategic Board Role
China Threatens to Shut Nigeria’s Satellite Over $11.44m Unpaid Debt
Healthcare Under Attack: Why Cybersecurity is Now Critical Care
Why JustMarkets Is a Strong Choice for Gold Trading
E-Business2 days agoFG to Strengthen Cybersecurity Coordination as NDPC Probes Alleged Data Breach
Telecom2 days agoCompensation for Poor Service Quality is Automatic- NCC
E-Business2 days agoOffset Communications Slams N50m Suit against Qore Technologies for Alleged Copyright Infringement
General News2 days agoTinubu Approves N3.3 Trillion Payment Plan to Boost Power Supply
Telecom2 days agoFG Moves to Strengthen Cybersecurity Coordination as NDPC Probes Alleged Data Breach
News2 days agoBeware of Fake Cerelac Products – NAFDAC
General News2 days agoSERAP Sues CCB over Electoral Act, New Tax law
E-Business23 hours agoNigeria Cyberattacks: Stronger Collaboration as a Panacea