Lagos Court Freezes Copyright Levy Funds, Blocks MCSN Access

Lagos Federal High Court bars MCSN from accessing copyright levy funds; CBN, 20 banks ordered to preserve them

A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim Mareva injunction freezing copyright levy funds payable to the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN).

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The court also restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 20 commercial banks from disbursing or releasing the funds pending further hearing.

The injunction followed an ex parte application filed by the Record Label Proprietors’ Initiative and 11 major record labels, including Mavin Records, Davido Music Worldwide, Chocolate City Music, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Africa, and Warner Music South Africa.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa directed MCSN, its agents, and associated parties to refrain from accessing, withdrawing, or transferring any levy funds related to sound recordings owned by the plaintiffs, including funds already received.

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The CBN and listed banks must preserve all disputed funds and file affidavits of compliance within three days, disclosing amounts held for MCSN.

The court adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice