Federal High Court Remands NetNaija CEO Emmanuel Analike in Kuje Over Alleged Copyright Piracy

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Emmanuel Analike, Chief Executive Officer of NetNaija Media Enterprises, at the Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged copyright infringement.

Justice Suleiman Liman issued the remand order after Analike’s counsel, Nnemeka Ejiofor, informed the court that a bail application had been filed on behalf of his client.

Ejiofor explained that the application, submitted on Monday, was supported by a 23-paragraph affidavit and a written address. He subsequently argued the motion for bail before the court, noting that it was filed within 48 hours of Analike’s arraignment.

However, Justice Liman declined to give an immediate ruling and adjourned the case to March 9 for a decision on the bail application. Pending that ruling, the court ordered that the defendant remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Earlier, prosecuting counsel Gladys Isaac-Ojo, who heads the legal unit of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), told the court that the matter had been scheduled for Analike’s arraignment.

According to the prosecution, Analike is facing charges under Section 44(1)(a) of the Copyright Act 2022, relating to alleged copyright violations tied to digital media content distributed through an online platform.

When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

The four-count charge accuses Analike of possessing infringing copies of copyrighted works, making unauthorised reproductions, distributing the materials, and making them available to the public.

Prosecutors allege that the materials included copyrighted sound recordings and audiovisual works such as movies belonging to both Nigerian and international rights holders.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Isaac-Ojo described the arraignment as a significant step in the commission’s efforts to combat online piracy. She said the suspect was arrested after investigations linked him to the alleged online distribution of movies and music without the permission of copyright owners.

She added that while the commission is intensifying enforcement against digital piracy, the defendant’s legal team has the right to seek bail, noting that the court will determine whether the request should be granted.

Background

In 2023, NetNaija announced that it would discontinue some of its public services, stating that it planned to focus on other aspects of its operations.

The platform, originally launched in March 2009, began as a personal hobby before evolving into a popular online hub for movies, music, entertainment news and gossip. It initially operated as ProudlyBoiz before later rebranding to NetNaija and subsequently TheNetNaija.