The Chief Executive Officer of NetNaija Media Enterprises, Emmanuel Analike, has been remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after being arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged copyright infringement.
Analike was brought before the court by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) on charges related to the possession, production, and distribution of materials suspected to violate copyright laws.
Justice Suleiman Liman ordered that the NetNaija boss be held in custody pending a ruling on his bail application. The court fixed March 9, 2026, to deliver its decision on the request.
During the proceedings, defence counsel Nnemeka Ejiofor informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on Monday. The application, supported by a 23-paragraph affidavit and written address, asked the court to grant Analike bail while the case proceeds.
However, the judge declined to give an immediate ruling and adjourned the matter to the scheduled date.
The prosecution, led by Gladys Isaac-Ojo, head of the legal department at the Nigerian Copyright Commission, told the court that the case was ready for arraignment. She stated that the alleged offences violate provisions of Section 44(1)(a) of the Copyright Act, 2022.
Analike pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.
The NCC accused the defendant of engaging in activities linked to online piracy, including the reproduction and distribution of protected sound recordings and audiovisual content such as movies belonging to both local and international creators.
Following the court session, the prosecution explained that the charges were brought against both the individual and his company because the alleged infringement was carried out through the platform operated by NetNaija Media Enterprises.
The case is expected to continue after the court delivers its ruling on the bail application. If bail is granted, further proceedings will move to the trial stage on a later date to be determined by the court.
