NCC Seals Bookshops, Arrests Two for Piracy in Ekiti

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has arrested two individuals in Ado-Ekiti for allegedly selling pirated books and sealed their bookshops during an enforcement operation.

The exercise, carried out by the NCC Ibadan office, was led by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Oluropo Oke, with support from armed officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The team first raided Kaycee Bookshop, where the operator, Mr. Kelechukwu Okoro, was arrested following the recovery of hundreds of suspected pirated books. The shop was immediately sealed.

A similar operation was conducted at Hope and Faith Bookshop, Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti, where several pirated books were also confiscated.

Mrs. Oke explained that the exercise was part of the commission’s commitment to enforcing copyright laws, combating piracy, and protecting the rights of authors and publishers.

She emphasized that piracy not only robs creators of their rightful earnings but also undermines the economy and promotes the circulation of substandard materials.

Mrs. Oke urged bookshop owners and distributors to desist from trading in pirated works and to patronize only genuine publishers.

She added that the NCC would intensify its clampdown on copyright offenders across the country.