Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham is grappling with panic attacks and hospitalizations due to the piracy of her film ‘Malaika.’ The high-budget movie, produced at a staggering cost of N500 million, was illegally uploaded online and shared across social media platforms, resulting in substantial financial losses for the team involved.
The Lagos police have recently made a significant stride in the case, arresting five individuals linked to the piracy of ‘Malaika.’ The news has brought some relief to Abraham, who has publicly thanked the police force, specifically AIG IG Idowu Owohunwa, for their persistent efforts in bringing the suspects to justice.
The arrests were formally announced by the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos. According to the department’s spokesperson, ASP Aminat Mayegun, the individuals in custody are facing charges related to conspiracy, intellectual property infringement, piracy, and cybercrimes.
Following the discovery that ‘Malaika,’ which was exclusively released to the cinemas on December 21, 2023, was circulating illegally online, Abraham and co-producer Seun Olayemi filed a criminal complaint on Thursday.
The FCID then launched a joint investigation with specialized units, employing cybercrime resources to track down the culprits. AIG Idowu Owohunwa from FCID Alagbon has vowed to continue the fight against piracy, pledging to work closely with the Nigerian Commission and stakeholders in the movie industry to cleanse it of such malpractices.
The suspects, including a staff member of a new-generation bank named Kehinde Iyanda, a woman, her son, his girlfriend, and others, were taken into custody by the police. Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Idowu Owohunwa disclosed this information on Tuesday.
The complainants alleged that Kehinde Iyanda and others criminally pirated their movie, which was initially released for cinema viewing on December 21, 2023. The suspects allegedly accessed the movie, uploaded it on their website, and created a streaming weblink for global viewers, infringing on intellectual rights and causing financial losses.
Following the joint investigation by the Anti-Fraud and Cybercrime Sections of the FCID, the websites involved in the piracy were identified. Kehinde Iyanda, the principal suspect, was arrested, and during a search at his residence, a laptop, two phones, and business registration certificates linked to his offensive website were recovered.
Kehinde Iyanda admitted to using the website for online piracy and claimed to receive technical support from Sodiq Adebiyi. Adebiyi Sodiq, the owner of www.36vibes.com.ng, another platform involved in cybercrimes, was also arrested. He confessed to pirating “Malaika” and Funke Akindele’s movie “A Tribe Called Judah.”
The investigation revealed that Adebiyi Sodiq conspired with his mother, Mrs. Adebiyi Suliat, to conceal evidence by removing and hiding the laptop used in the crime. Both Mrs. Adebiyi Suliat and Agboola Sadiat Motunrayo, the girlfriend of Adebiyi Sodiq, were arrested for being accessories after the fact.
Adekunle Segun, the owner of www.naijajoy.com.ng, was also arrested for his involvement in online movie piracy. The weblink to access “Malaika” was found on his website, and he confessed to the unlawful act during interrogation.
As the investigation unfolds, it emphasizes the importance of addressing piracy in the entertainment industry. The arrests mark a significant step towards curbing intellectual property infringement and ensuring the protection of artists’ creative works. Stay tuned for updates on this case and more from the world of Nollywood.
