For MTN Nigeria Communication it is really not the best of times for its Nigerian operation.
Still reeling on the throes of the $5.2 billion (now reduced to $3.5 billion) penalty charge slammed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Nigerian Copyright Commission has filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria Communication and its Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Ferdi Moolman, over alleged copyright infringement.
The charge, with number ABJ/CR/379/2015 filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja, was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.
In the two-count-charge signed by NCC Prosecutor and Copyright Inspector, Marypauline Olere-Luma, MTN and Moolman were alleged to have infringed on copies of the musical work of an Abuja based musician, Dovie Omenuwoma-Eniwo (aka Baba 2010).
Specifically, the defendants were alleged to have “distribute, sell or let for hire or for the purposes of trade or business, expose or offer for sale 3009 infringing copies of the musical work’’ of Baba 2010.
The musical works allegedly infringed upon by the defendants included; “Omotena, Gentleman, Christian and unity song’’ by the musician.
The offences, according to the charge, are contrary to and punishable under Section 20 (2)(a) and 20 (2)(b) of the Copyright Act, Cap C28 Laws of the Federation 2004.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
