Suspected pirated book materials and printing plates estimated at eight million Naira (8, 000,000.00) have been confiscated by Copyright Inspectors of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) at a printing press in Shomolu, Lagos State.

The seizures which were made during an anti-piracy operation on 27th September, 2022, were about 4,000 work-in-progress copies of a book, entitled AKWA Higher Basic (JSS) Series, authored by A.W.K. Akwaah.

Director of the Lagos Office of the Commission, Mr. Matthew Ojo, who disclosed these, stated that NCC operatives, backed by armed Policemen, carried out the operation sequel to an intelligence report regarding the printing of suspected pirated works in Shomolu area of the State.

The Director stated that on gaining entry into the printing press, the operatives discovered that a printing machine was still warm, indicating that printing work was on-going just before their arrival at the scene. He added that the owner of the printing outlet and his workers were at large.

According to him, the Commission’s operatives impounded all the printed loose sheets and printing plates discovered at the printing outlet.

The Director hinted that plans were underway to arrest the owner and other persons involved in the illegal act.

He urged operators of printing outlets to desist from engaging in pirating copyright works and advised them to always seek copyright clearance from the right owners.

Meanwhile, the Director-General, NCC, Dr. John O. Asein has reiterated the Commission’s commitment to its zero-tolerance policy against piracy.

Dr. Asein counseled all pirates to convert to legitimate copyright enterprise. He assured that the Commission would continue to intensify its antipiracy interventions, adding that all cases of copyright piracy would be duly investigated with a view to prosecution of arrested offenders.