Nigerian Copyright Commission Destroys N50 Million in Pirated Books

In a significant enforcement action against intellectual property theft, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has publicly destroyed pirated books valued at over N50 million seized from bookshops in Ondo and Ekiti States.

The Commission shredded a total of 5,061 illicit books worth N50.6 million in a ceremony held on Thursday in Akure. The operation targeted materials confiscated from nine bookshops across the two states during recent raids.

NCC Director-General, John Asein, represented by the Oyo State Coordinator, Oluropo Oke, stated that the books were seized from two outlets in Ado-Ekiti, two in Akure, and five in Ondo Town. He emphasized that destruction was necessary to prevent the materials from re-circulating in the market.

“Those caught with the books have faced penalties under the law, forfeited the items, and paid fines to the Federal Government,” Oke stated.

The NCC officials issued a strong admonition against piracy, urging the public to purchase books only from authorized sources such as recognized publishers, authors, or reputable bookshops. They highlighted that piracy stifles creativity, deprives creators of income, and harms the national economy.

The Commission also acknowledged the support of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and reaffirmed its mandate under the Nigerian Copyright Act to prosecute copyright violations.