The Workplace of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has withdrawn the pending copyright infringement prison expenses instituted towards MTN Nigeria Communications Restricted, its CEO Karl Toriola, and MTN government Nkeakam Abhulimen by the Nigerian Copyright Fee (NCC).
The withdrawal was introduced earlier than Justice Umar Mohammed of the Federal Excessive Courtroom, Abuja, who had earlier scheduled Wednesday for the AGF’s authorized crew to report on its subsequent line of motion concerning the prison cost.
Nairametrics beforehand reported that the AGF, by way of its counsel, Aderonke Imana, Esq., had in July 2025 acknowledged that the prosecution would, by October 2025, resolve on the pending copyright infringement prison cost.
Authorized Dispute
Recall that the Federal Excessive Courtroom, Abuja, had on July 8, 2024, granted the AGF permission to take over and evaluation the alleged copyright infringement case towards MTN Nigeria Communications Restricted and its CEO, Karl Toriola, primarily based on a petition from the latter.
Nairametrics additionally reported that MTN Nigeria Communications Restricted had requested the courtroom to strike out the case instituted towards it by the NCC, alleging that it was faulty.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024, was filed by the NCC towards MTN Nigeria Communications Restricted; Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria; Nkeakam Abhulimen; Enjoyable Cell Restricted; and Yahaya Maibe.
The matter had been adjourned a number of occasions following the non-appearance of MTN’s CEO and others, who had been scheduled to be arraigned and take their plea.
The NCC had alleged that MTN and others used a number of soundtracks as caller ringback tones with out the consent or authorization of the unique house owners.
An NCC workers member, Samuel Y. Udowo, additionally deposed earlier than the courtroom that the Fee investigated a grievance of prison copyright infringement towards the defendants.
In response to him, the grievance arose from the usage of musical works and sound recordings by Maleke Idowu Moye as caller ringback tunes with out his consent or authorization.
He added that the investigation revealed the defendants had dedicated copyright offenses warranting penalties.
MTN’s lawyer, Obafemi Agaba, subsequently filed a movement asking the courtroom to say no jurisdiction over the matter.
Whereas the NCC’s case was nonetheless pending, legislation agency Jackson, Etti & Edu—appearing as solicitors to MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Karl Toriola, and one other occasion—petitioned the AGF.
They urged the AGF to take over the case from the NCC, citing alleged makes an attempt by Maleke Idowu Moye and the Fee to “embarrass” the CEO, injury MTN’s repute, and destabilize the corporate’s enterprise, together with its share value.
The solicitors additionally urged the AGF to look at the NCC’s case to “forestall abuse of authorized course of.”
Following MTN’s petition, the AGF utilized to take over the case for additional evaluation—a request the courtroom granted—and adjourned proceedings till October 22 for a report.
What Transpired in Courtroom
On the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, counsel for the AGF, G.C. Nweze, knowledgeable the presiding choose that following a evaluation, the AGF was withdrawing the names of the primary to 3rd defendants—MTN, Toriola, and Abhulimen—from the case.
The lawyer famous that Enjoyable Cell Restricted and Yahaya Maibe would take their pleas in an amended cost.
The report was not opposed by MTN’s lawyer, Obafemi Agaba.
After listening to from the AGF’s counsel, Justice Umar struck out the names of MTN, Toriola, and Abhulimen from the case and adjourned the matter.
The event implies that MTN and its officers has been cleared from this prison case initially instituted by the NCC.
The AGF, has the authorized authority to take prison proceedings of any federal authorities company.
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