The Lagos zonal office of the Nigerian Copyright Commission has arrested 15 suspected pirates and seized goods worth N60 million in the last seven months.
Mr Uwem Udoh, the Zonal Manager, said on Wednesday in Lagos that the commission carried out the anti-piracy raids in Ojo, Somolu and Festac town.
He said that the action was also extended to some major markets in the state.
He said, “The commission carried out raids in Alaba Market , Festac town and Somolu about two months ago and we arrested several pirates.
“We arrested 15 pirates in the last seven months.
“The total estimated value of seized pirated goods in the first and second quarters of the year is about N60 million.’’
Udoh said the commission was intensifying efforts to maintain its zero-tolerance policy against piracy, as part of its plans for the year.
He added that the commission recently raided the Alaba International Market in Ojo in furtherance of its efforts to clamp down on major piracy hubs in the state.
He said some of the suspects have been charged to the Federal High Court in Lagos.
He said that the commission conducted anti-piracy inspection in professional print, publishers and CDs’ distribution outlets within Lagos metropolis where it made some seizures.
He added that the commission was stepping up its anti-piracy raids in the third and last quarters of the year to reduce acts of piracy in the state and in the country.
Udoh said that despite the financial challenge confronting the commission, it achieved a lot in the last seven months.
He said that it needed more funds to achieve its set mandate.
NAN
