Six arraigned over ‘piracy’ of Toyin Abraham’s ‘Malaika’

The Lagos police command has arraigned six suspects before a court for allegedly pirating Toyin Abraham’s movie ‘Malaika’.

‘Malaika’ premiered in Lagos on December 17. It also made its theatrical debut on December 22.

Aminat Mayegun, the spokesperson at the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon in Ikoyi, Lagos, earlier paraded the suspects.

Mayegun said the suspects were allegedly involved in the conspiracy, infringement on intellectual property, piracy, and cyber-related crimes with the unlawful utilisation of cyberspace to broadcast the movie.

The spokesperson said a criminal complaint was lodged by Abraham and Seun Olayemi, the co-producer of the movie.

Speaking with TheCable Lifestyle on Wednesday, Mayegun said six suspects were arraigned on Tuesday.

“The six suspects, four boys and two ladies were arraigned yesterday at the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Tinubu,” she said.

The defendants, identified as Kehinde Oseni, Adekunle Segun, Adebiyi Sodiq, Oseni S. Akano, Agboola Motunrayo, and Adebiyi Suliat were accused of stealing intellectual property, conspiring, and attempting to obstruct justice.

Morufu Animashaun, the prosecuting counsel, told the court that the alleged illegal activities took place in January at Apapa.

He added that the defendants violated sections 411, 972, 415, and 87 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

While the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, Animashaun prayed the court to remand the accused persons at the correctional centre until the resolution of the case.

However, Ganiyu Oyarevuegbe, the representative of the defendant, sought bail for them, making an oral request using the most permissive terms.

Abraham recently revealed that she experienced panic attacks and was hospitalised after she found out about the piracy of her movie.