The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) conducted a surprise raid on prominent bookshops in Ekiti, confiscating pirated books valued in the millions of Naira and sealing the premises.
The operation, led by State Coordinator Mrs Oluropo Oke and supported by copyright enforcement officers and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, targeted Hope and Faith Bookshop in Ajilosun and KAYCEE & Sons Bookshop at Bisi Market in Ado-Ekiti. Shop owners were arrested without resistance, largely due to the presence of armed officers.
Mrs Oke explained the raid followed a detailed investigation prompted by tips confirming the sale of counterfeit materials. She emphasised the NCCβs commitment to protecting intellectual property and supporting Nigeriaβs creative sector by eliminating piracy, which undermines authors and publishersβ rights and the economy.
The commission warned that such unscheduled raids will continue nationwide and urged booksellers and printers to cease piracy immediately, reminding them it is a punishable offence with no room for ignorance of the law.Β
ππππππ π¬π²π°π»π°π΅π¬πΎπΊ 247 πΎπππππππ πͺππππππ : https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAP3AqHLHQdNZ6UeL10
This procedure is very bad indeed to seize good’s from the retail shops.
Government operatives have to go to the basis where this books are being manufactured in copyright and sealed the company and even arrest their Directors.
For seizing the books from retailers is just a punishment to some family and backward in someone life or even causing death for someone.
My views on this is for the government to operate from the company manufacturing this books without copyright permission.
Those arrested and their retail goods should be return because government have to operate from the base ( manufacturing company) not from the innocent retailers.
Thanks.
Oluyeye Reuben
Ibadan.