Copyright commission seizes ‘pirated’ books worth N23m in Uyo

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) says its operatives confiscated alleged pirated books valued at N23.1 million during raids on bookshops in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom.

Speaking during the operation, John Asein, NCC director general, said the exercise aims to eradicate pirated works nationwide and establish a robust copyright framework.

Asein, who was represented by Macfoy Akachukwu, deputy director of operations, said the commission targeted piracy in Uyo and surrounding areas via this enforcement effort.

NAN quoted the DG as identifying the raided bookshops as AB Achison, God’s Own, Academic Needs, Zion in Uyo and POP Bookshop in Abak, Akwa Ibom.

“The books seized during the raid to include: Basic Civic Education by Dr Merry Ukaegbu, Spectrum New Further Mathematics by T.R. Moses and Essential Christian Religious Study for Senior Secondary Schools by Orovwuje B.O and Okolie E.U.,” he said.

“Macmillan Brilliant English for Junior Secondary Schools by Wale Ossianwo, New General Basic Science for Junior Secondary Schools by S. Ajayi.

“Others books seized included: New Oxford Secondary English Course for Secondary Schools by Ayo Banjo and New Concept Mathematics for Senior Secondary Schools by H.N. Odogwu and others.

“The books seized were those in the stables of major publishers like Evans, UPL, Lantern, Longman, TONAD, Pearson among others.”

Asein said the commission will persist in combating piracy, empowering authors and the creative sector to boost Nigeria’s economic development.

“What we have done is part of the commission’s mandate to protect and promote the rights of authors and other genuine investors in the copyright book industry,” he said.

“It is our duty to ensure that authors get rewards for their creative work. I have under my watch, zero tolerance for piracy and infringement of Copyright Laws.”

The NCC DG said suspects would be prosecuted to deter others, adding that the commission needs public support with credible information to combat piracy nationwide.