Pirated Books Worth N141.5m Destroyed in Ibadan by NCC

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has destroyed pirated books worth N141.5 million seized from booksellers and suppliers during various enforcement operations. The destruction took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, supervised by the NCC Oyo State Coordinator, Mrs Oluropo Oke, on behalf of NCC Director-General, Dr John Asein.

According to Dr Asein, the pirated books were seized over the past three years from bookshops and markets in Abeokuta, Sango-Otta in Ogun, and Ibadan. He explained that the books were valued at N141,550,000 before destruction.

The NCC DG stated that during the operations, some booksellers were unable to prove the source of their purchases, highlighting the need to establish whether the books were bought from original owners or publishers, or acquired on the streets.

Dr Asein warned that the Nigerian Copyright Act empowers the commission to punish individuals caught pirating or illegally dealing in intellectual property, with penalties ranging from fines and forfeiture to other punishments under the law.

He noted that book piracy continues to harm national economic growth and deprive authors and publishers of the benefits of their work. The NCC aims to curb this menace and protect the rights of creators and publishers.

The destruction of the pirated books serves as a warning to those involved in the illegal trade, emphasizing the commission’s commitment to enforcing copyright laws and promoting intellectual property rights in Nigeria.