The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed March 9, 2026, for ruling on the bail application of Emmanuel Analike, a suspected online pirate arraigned by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) for alleged large-scale online infringement of musical and audiovisual works belonging to both local and international right holders.
Presiding Hon. Justice Suleiman Liman ordered that Analike be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application. The decision followed submissions by defence counsel, Mr. Nnaemeka Ejiofor, who informed the court that a formal bail application had been filed.
Analike, alongside Netnaija Media Enterprises, is standing trial under Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/422/25, filed by the NCC on March 2, 2025, over allegations of unauthorized reproduction and dissemination of audiovisual works.
According to the four-count charge, Analike is accused of:
Producing 1,458 infringing copies of audiovisual works for trade or business without authorization, contrary to Section 44(1)(a) of the Copyright Act, 2022.
Possessing the same number of infringing copies outside private or domestic use, contrary to Section 44(2)(c).
Communicating and making the works publicly available via wireless means without consent from copyright owners, contrary to Section 44(7).
Possessing machines, devices, and equipment for the purpose of producing infringing copies, contrary to Section 44(1)(c).
The alleged piracy occurred between 2023 and July 2025, when Analike was arrested following investigations triggered by repeated complaints from local and international copyright holders regarding the Netnaija website, which has since been shut down.
Speaking to journalists after the court proceedings, Ms. Gladys Isaac-Ojo, Head of the NCC Legal Department, explained that the suspect’s arrest followed thorough investigations into online piracy. She noted that the arraignment could not immediately proceed after his 2025 arrest because the courts were on vacation. Analike eventually pleaded not guilty when arraigned on March 2, 2026, after which the court remanded him in custody pending the bail hearing.
Commenting on the case, Dr. John O. Asein, Director-General of the NCC, described the development as a significant step in the Commission’s ongoing campaign against online piracy and digital copyright infringement, emphasizing the importance of protecting the rights of creators and investors in the industry.
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