The Nigerian Copyright Commission on Monday said that it intercepted and seized pirated materials worth N1 billion from January to December 2014.
Chris Nkwocha, NCC Zonal Manager, Lagos Operational Office, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
Nkwocha said that the seizures were made in several locations in Lagos, including Oshodi, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf, Ojuelegba, AP Moller Terminal in Apapa, Lawanson in Surulere and Apapa Area Customs Command.
He added that, within the period, three containers loaded with pirated cinematography, home videos, musical, inspirational and educational books were equally seized at Tincan in Apapa, Lagos.
“The seizures were achieved with the assistance of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Customs Service, State Security Service, NDLEA, the media and other relevant agencies,” Nkwocha said.
He mentioned some of the seized materials as best-selling American books titled: ‘Daughter of Destiny’ by Kathryn Kuhlman, ‘Me and My Big Mouth’ by Joyce Meyer and ‘The Midas Touch’ by Kenneth Hagin.
He said that the others included: ‘Mysterious Secrets of the Dark Kingdom’ by J.P. Timmons and copies of the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary.
According to Nkwocha, the sizes of the seized containers are 20ft, 40ft and 20ft respectively.
He said that the commission would continue to fight piracy in line with the provisions of the Copyright Act.
He noted that the NCC was established under the Copyright Decree No. 47 of 1988 with the mandate of administration, protection and enforcement of all matters on copyright in Nigeria.