NCC Files Criminal Charges Against MTN Nigeria CEO and Others for Alleged Copyright Infringement

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has taken legal action against Karl Toriola, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, along with MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and three other parties, on charges of copyright infringement.

The case, identified with number FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024, was filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Division and obtained on Monday.

The additional defendants in the case include Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd., and Yahaya Maibe.

In the three-count charge, the NCC alleges that between 2010 and 2017, the defendants engaged in the sale and trade of musical works by artist Maleke Idowu Moye without proper consent or authorization.

The commission claims that the defendants utilized Maleke’s musical works and sound recordings, including popular titles like “911,” “Minimini-wanawana,” and “Stop racism,” as Caller Ring Back Tunes without obtaining authorization from the artist.

Furthermore, the defendants are accused of distributing these musical works to their subscribers without authorization, thus violating the artist’s rights.

The third count alleges that the defendants possessed the musical works and sound recordings of the artist for purposes other than private or domestic use.

According to the NCC, these alleged offenses are in violation of section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The case is awaiting assignment to a judge, and no date has been set for the hearing.