Court Jails Netnaija Boss Over Copyright Violations

Netnaija boss copyright violations case deepens as CEO Emmanuel Analike is remanded in Kuje prison after pleading not guilty at the Federal High Court in Abuja

Emmanuel Analike, Chief Executive Officer of Netnaija Media Enterprises, was on Wednesday remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre after appearing before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of copyright infringement.

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Emmanuel Analike was arraigned by the Nigerian Copyright Commission before Justice Suleiman Liman on charges related to possession, distribution and reproduction of allegedly infringing works through the online platform Netnaija.

The prosecution told the court that the offences involved the unauthorised reproduction and distribution of sound recordings and audiovisual works belonging to both Nigerian and international creators.

According to the prosecution, the alleged acts contravene Section 44(1)(a) of the Copyright Act 2022.

Emmanuel Analike pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the arraignment, Justice Suleiman Liman ordered that the Netnaija chief be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending a ruling on his bail application.

Defence counsel Nnemeka Ejiofor informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and supported by a 23-paragraph affidavit alongside a written address.

Justice Suleiman Liman declined to deliver a bench ruling and instead fixed March 9 for the decision on the application.

Speaking to journalists after the court session, Gladys Isaac-Ojo, Head of Legal at the Nigerian Copyright Commission, described the arraignment as a significant step in the agency’s efforts to combat digital piracy.

Gladys Isaac-Ojo said Emmanuel Analike was arrested following allegations of large-scale online piracy involving movies, sound recordings and other copyrighted works distributed through the Netnaija platform.

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Gladys Isaac-Ojo described the development as a remarkable breakthrough for the commission, noting that the case sends a strong message about enforcement of intellectual property rights in Nigeria’s digital space.

The court is expected to rule on the bail application on March 9 before setting dates for the commencement of trial.