18th March, 2011
Following the arrest of 26 suspected pirates by the Yoruba Movie Producers Association of Nigeria led by Olufemi Odunuga, P.M. Entertainment can reveal that top hip hop acts, movie producers, marketers and others, have lost over N1 billion to piracy.
The suspected pirates were arrested this week during a raid carried out by the marketers following a tip off after surveillance on their hideouts in Mushin area of Lagos, State, Southwest Nigeria.
During the raid on one of the outlets on Shebanjo Street, Papa Ajao, it was discovered that the company specialises in printing pirated film jackets, works of hip hop artistes including D’banj, 9ice, 2face Idibia, Timaya, P-Square, Whiz Kid, Dr. Sid and the late Da Grin, among others.
Also the sleeve of a yet to be released album of 9ice, Bashorun Gaa Versus and Da Grin, Show Me D Money, a compilation of the works of a number of hip hop artistes including Timaya, Lineo, Sky B, Flavour, D’banj, Wacomzy, Twins Affair, Ice Prince, P-Square, D/Mighty, Dodge, Assorted, Wizkid, Simple Genius and Dr. Sid, among others as well as latest films from Idumota such as Olori Ole, BRF, Oba Mugun, Orun N’yabo, Aginju Aye, Olewu, Adun Ola, and Idunnu Ola, were being printed at the press.
Describing the raid as a big catch, the chairman, Highwaves Video Mart, Rotimi Aina Kushoro, said the Tuesday exercise was the biggest and the most successful, adding, “these people are killing us as we have lost over N1 billion to them.â€
According to the chairman, Yoruba Video and Film Marketers Association of Nigeria and Gemini Films boss, Olufemi Odunuga, virtually all the marketers are in debt due to the activities of pirates.
9ice’s manager, who was present during the raid was so shocked that he simply said: “they have destroyed our work.â€
The former president of Association Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), Prince Jide Kosoko who was close to tears said the pirates were milking artistes dry.
P.M. Entertainment learnt that despite persistent raids on suspected pirates, the offence carries very mild penalty and the question asked by an average film marketer, musician or producer is: “who will tame the pirates?â€
