By Anamati Inyang, 16 November 2025
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the fight against piracy and intellectual property theft in the South-East, describing the crimes as major threats to Nigeria’s creative and economic ecosystem.
This renewed commitment was , NCC Strengthen Collaboration Against Piracy, Intellectual Property Theft in South-Eas on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the Enugu State Coordinator of the NCC, Mr. Macfoy Akachukwu, to the EFCC Enugu Zonal Director, Commander of the EFCC, CE Daniel Isei.
Akachukwu, who commended the long-standing partnership between both agencies, highlighted past collaborations in freezing of assets and provision of detention facilities. He explained that piracy remains a critical channel for money laundering, often linked to organised and drug-related crimes.
He revealed that proceeds of criminal activities are sometimes used to mass-produce pirated books and creative works abroad, which are then shipped into the country. “People travel outside the country, get involved in drug-related crimes, and use the proceeds to make pirated copies of major publishers’ works. By doing so, they are laundering money,” he said. He appealed for more support from the EFCC to strengthen their joint efforts.
Responding, Isei noted that piracy is a predicate offence to money laundering, underscoring the need for robust cooperation between the two agencies.
“If it is on the basis of information sharing, we’re ready to receive and we’re ready to give. If it is on the basis of investigation, we will support in any way we can. We cannot underestimate the danger piracy poses to our economy,” he stated.
He emphasized that the EFCC’s work is rooted in collaboration, one of the Commission’s core values, and stressed the importance of protecting creators from the devastating effects of intellectual property theft.
Isei assured the NCC of the Commission’s unwavering support in efforts to eliminate piracy and intellectual property theft across the South-East.
