BREAKING: NetNaija CEO Remanded in Kuje Over Alleged Copyright Infringement

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of Emmanuel Analike, Chief Executive Officer of NetNaija Media Enterprises, at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment on charges of alleged copyright infringement linked to the popular entertainment website NetNaija.

Analike was arraigned before Justice Suleiman Liman after prosecutors from the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) filed a multi-count charge accusing him of possessing, reproducing and distributing copyrighted works without authorisation through the NetNaija platform.

The prosecution told the court that the alleged offences involve the online distribution of movies, sound recordings and other audiovisual materials belonging to both Nigerian and foreign creators. According to the commission, the materials were made available for public download through the website without the consent of the copyright owners.

Analike, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in court.

His counsel, Nnemeka Ejiofor, informed the court that a formal bail application had already been filed and supported with a sworn affidavit and written address seeking his client’s temporary release.

Justice Liman declined to rule immediately on the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of the request. The case was subsequently adjourned to March 9 for ruling on the bail application.

Speaking after the proceedings, the NCC’s Head of Legal Services, Gladys Isaac-Ojo, described the arraignment as a major step in the commission’s campaign against digital piracy.

She said the action demonstrates the agency’s determination to enforce Nigeria’s copyright laws and protect creative works distributed online.

The charges were reportedly filed under Section 44(1)(a) of the Copyright Act 2022, which criminalises the unauthorised reproduction and distribution of protected works.

Prosecutors argued that both Analike and the company operating the platform could be held liable since the alleged infringement was carried out through the corporate entity.

The case has attracted widespread attention within Nigeria’s digital entertainment ecosystem, where NetNaija has long been one of the most visited websites for downloading movies, music and other media content.

Observers say the proceedings may serve as a major test of Nigeria’s enforcement of intellectual property laws in the digital space.See Full, Details. .

The court is expected to rule on the bail application when proceedings resume next week. If granted bail, Analike would be released pending the continuation of the trial. If denied, he may remain in custody as the case proceeds.