The Chief Executive Officer of NetNaija Media Enterprises, Emmanuel Analike, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged copyright infringement.
Analike was brought before Justice Suleiman Liman on Wednesday, following charges filed by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).
The commission accused him of possessing, reproducing, and distributing films and music through the NetNaija platform without authorisation from copyright holders.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences were committed in violation of the Copyright Act 2022.
When the charges were read in court, Analike pleaded not guilty.
His counsel informed the court that a bail application had already been filed, supported by an affidavit and a written address.
However, Justice Liman did not rule on the bail request during the sitting.
Instead, the judge ordered that Analike be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the court’s decision on the application.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to March 9 for ruling on the bail request.
The prosecution told the court that the NetNaija platform allegedly distributed third-party films, music and other copyrighted materials for public download without permission from rights owners.
Prosecutors said the alleged actions fall under Section 44(1)(a) of the Copyright Act.
Emmanuel Analike established NetNaija Media Enterprises in 2019 as a sole proprietorship offering internet services.
The NetNaija website has grown into a widely used platform in Nigeria, providing downloads of films, music and videos to a large audience.
The case forms part of the Nigerian Copyright Commission’s efforts to enforce copyright regulations in the digital space, particularly against websites accused of distributing protected content without authorisation.
In recent years, Nigerian filmmakers and musicians have repeatedly raised concerns about piracy and the online distribution of their works without consent.
