Abuja: The Federal High Court Abuja on Wednesday remanded the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Netnaija Media Enterprises, Emmanuel Analike, in Kuje corrections facility for alleged copyright infringement. Justice Suleiman Liman fixed the date after the counsel to the defendant, Nnemeka Ejiofor, notified the court about a bail application filed on behalf of his client.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ejiofor informed the court that the bail application was submitted on Monday, supported by 23 paragraphs of affidavits and a written address. Despite arguing for bail on Wednesday, the judge refused an immediate decision and scheduled the ruling for March 9. Meanwhile, the defendant will remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail determination.
Earlier, Gladys Isaac-Ojo, the Prosecution Counsel and Head/Legal counsel to the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), stated that the case was scheduled for arraignment. The prosecution alleged that the defendant breached Section 44 (1) (a) of the Copyright Act, 2022. Emmanuel Analike pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include possession, production, and distribution of infringed works.
Addressing newsmen, Isaac-Ojo expressed satisfaction with the defendant’s arrest, describing it as a significant achievement for the NCC. She emphasized that while the defendant’s counsel has the right to file for bail, the decision rests with the court. The case is expected to return to court on Monday for the bail ruling, after which the trial will proceed. The charges involve both Analike and his company, NetNaija, an online platform accused of distributing copyrighted media without authorization.