NCC Arrests 26, Impounds N2.3m Illegal Facilities

Copyright Inspectors of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) working with law enforcement agencies have arrested 26 suspected pirates and confiscated N2.3 million worth of illegal facilities.

In an antipiracy operation executed on unauthorised dealers in computer-based commercial downloading of pirated music in New Haven, New Layout and Garki areas of Enugu State recently, operatives of the Commission seized 60 electronic gadgets, including laptops, CPUs, desktops, generators and stabilisers deployed in perpetuating the crime.

In a press statement, Vincent A. Oyefeso, assistant director, Public Affairs of the Commission, quoted Mrs.  Ngozi Okeke, assistant director and zonal manager of NCC Zonal Office in Enugu, indicated that the Commission carried out the raid against widespread computer/MP3 piracy in collaboration with the Enugu State Chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).

According to her, Mr. P. O. Anagonye, the Commission's Senior Copyright Officer (Prosecution) in the Zone, led the operation during which 29 units of laptops, four sets of computers, two computer monitors, one flat screen monitor, one LG DVD player, one unit each of JVC deck player and Aiwa deck player, three small speakers and one big speaker or woofer.

Other seized items were four units of Tiger generators, five units of Tweeter speakers, one stabilizer, one amplifier, two units of step down equipment and service cables, among others.

She identified the arrested suspects as Enweremadu Chinonso, Oke Ifeanyi, Okwo Stanley, Promise James, Chinwetalu Goodness, Ozoeze Kiosiso, Ugochukwu Lazarus, Ani Victor, Ooji Stephen, Chukwu Joshua, Igwe Ifeanyinchukwu, Okafor Emeka and Ojobo Emeka.

Others were Aguoye Amechi, Abua Abel, Akachukwu Francis, Ibe Frank, Ngwu Ikechukwu, Okezie Achonam, Chidiebere Johnson, Ozoani Uchechukwu, Nwodo Ifeanyi, Anyaora Austin, Ooji Austin, Arum Chibuaze and Ugwuegbu Ogechi.

The Zonal Manager who indicated that investigation was ongoing, added that the Commission remained committed to its zero-tolerance policy against piracy.