A prominent entertainment and intellectual property lawyer, Rockson Akpotiri Igelige, has died at the age of 55.
Igelige reportedly slumped and died at his residence in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, on Friday morning, according to reports.
The immediate cause of his death was not known at the time of filing this report.
Born on June 1, 1971, Igelige was a lawyer, former politician, intellectual property advocate and founder of the Friends of the Creator (Artistic) Foundation, an organisation established to promote and protect the rights of artists and other creative professionals.
A native of Oleh Kingdom, Igelige attended Odoro Primary School and Emore Grammar School, Oleh, before studying Theatre Arts at the University of Benin between 1992 and 1996.
He later studied Law at the Oleh Campus of Delta State University before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, where he obtained his legal qualification. He also earned a Master of Laws degree in Entertainment Law from the University of Westminster in London.
His master’s research focused on British and Nigerian laws relating to film piracy.
Before entering the legal profession, Igelige completed the National Youth Service Corps programme in Geidam, Yobe State, where he participated in community development and educational awareness projects. He reportedly received an NYSC Yobe State Award and a Yobe State News Award for his activities during his service year.
Igelige also ventured into politics following Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. He was elected as a Peoples Democratic Party councillor representing Oleh Ward 1 in Isoko South Local Government Area.
He initially served as Supervisory Councillor for Health before becoming Speaker and Leader of the local government legislative house, a position he reportedly held until 2012.
He later established himself as one of Nigeria’s prominent lawyers specialising in entertainment, copyright and intellectual property law, representing artists, producers and other creative professionals.
Among the high-profile cases associated with him was a copyright dispute involving musician Omenuwoma Dovie, popularly known as Baba 2010, and telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria over the alleged use of the artiste’s musical works.
The dispute involved proceedings before the Federal High Court and the Nigerian Copyright Commission before it was eventually resolved out of court.
Igelige also represented and advised creators in several other copyright-related disputes and became a vocal advocate for stronger intellectual property protection in Nigeria.
In 2017, he founded the Friends of the Creator (Artistic) Foundation in Oleh to promote intellectual property education, advocacy, research and support for creators.
His contributions to the entertainment and legal sectors earned him professional recognition, including the Entertainment Lawyer of the Year 2019 award. The Nigerian Bar Association, Oleh Branch, publicly congratulated him on the recognition.
His intellectual property advocacy also attracted international attention, with the World Intellectual Property Organization listing him in connection with the Friends of the Creator Foundation. In 2021, the Nigerian Bar Association also appointed him to its Future of Legal Practice Committee.
Igelige wrote and spoke extensively on emerging issues in entertainment and copyright law.
In a 2019 article published by SaharaReporters, he examined the legal issues surrounding the removal of Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage’s One music video from YouTube following a copyright complaint.
At the time of his death, Igelige was the Principal Partner of Rockson Legal, with its main office on Odoro Road, Oleh, Delta State.
His firm’s website described him as an award-winning entertainment, sports and media lawyer who represented artists, record labels, producers and other creators in litigation and arbitration.
His career spanned theatre, politics, law, entertainment, intellectual property advocacy and community development, making him a prominent figure in Oleh and the wider Isoko region.
His death is expected to be deeply felt across Nigeria’s legal and creative industries, as well as in his home community of Oleh, where he maintained his legal practice.
The immediate cause of his death could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report. Further details from his family, colleagues and the Nigerian Bar Association are expected.
Igelige is survived by his wife and children.
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