Regulatory body seizes pirated works worth N5 million

folarin okunola

October 28, 2015 2:59 PM

Speaking to newsmen after the raid, Mr. Valentine Uche, said the raid was to ensure that every bookseller in the domain operated within the specified framework of the NCC.

NCC DG, Afam Ezekude.

A joint task force, comprising of representatives of the Lagos State Booksellers Association of Nigeria (LASBAN), Ajegunle chapter, military personnel and the enforcement unit of the Nigeria Copyright Commision (NCC), has seized suspected pirated books worth N5 million from bookstores and shops in Ajegunle, a suburb of Lagos.

Speaking to newsmen after the raid, Mr. Valentine Uche, said the raid was to ensure that every bookseller in the domain operated within the specified framework of the NCC.

“We will no longer tolerate piracy in the community again. Ajegunle is known to be the hub of piracy and we shall kick against it,’’ Uche said.

READ: Pirated works worth N4 million seized in Ilorin

He stated that as part of strides to pirates from operating in the Ajegunle area, the NCC had set a 14-man task force to pursue the mission. “Piracy-business has reduced to the barest minimum in Ajegunle. The raid carried out was to check the activities of those involved in the business, ensure they desist from such but comply with NCC regulations,’’ he said.

Chairman of the joint task force, Mr. Edwin Uzor, also added that it was a punishable offence for sellers to sell pirated items in the area. He also stated that the taskforce which was inaugurated in 2012 began operations in the area fully in 2013. “NCC has been effective and at the forefront in the fight against piracy in Ajegunle," Uzor said, adding that no arrests were made but lots of seizures were carried out.

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