Okafor’s Law is my intellectual property, Oboli tells court – updated

The copyright infringement case against Omoni Oboli brought by Canadian-based Nigerian screenwriter began yesterday with the Ikeja Federal High.

The trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, ordered that advance copies of processes be served on counsels by email to ensure that the justice of the case is achieved in good time. The order was issued following an ex parte motion filed by Raconteur Production Ltd on behalf of a Canada-based script writer, Mr Jude Idada seeking same reliefs. Those joined in the suit as defendants are Dioni Visions Entertainment Ltd, Omoni Oboli, and The Filmone Ltd.

 

It would be recalled that Justice Buba had on March 24, granted an interim order, stopping the premiere of the said “Okafor’s Law” scheduled to hold on the evening of same day.

 

See also Court Orders Seizure of Copies of Omoni Oboli’s Okafor’s Law; halts cinema’s release

 

The ex-parte order halted the planned premiere of “Okafor’s Law” at the IMAX Cinema in Lagos. The order also restrains the release of the film scheduled for March 31.

When the case resumed for a hearing of the motion on notice on Wednesday, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Augustine Alegeh (SAN) announced appearance for the first and second defendants.

 

In the same vain, Mr Yomi Awotunde announced appearance for the third defendant, while Mrs O. Otudor appeared for the plaintiff.

 

Addressing the court, Otudor informed the judge that she had received the counter affidavit for the 1st and 2nd defendants, but had yet to receive any processes from the 3rd defendant.

 

She told the court that counsel for the first and second defendants had just served their counter affidavit on her in the courtroom, adding that she required time to study and respond to same. She, therefore, urged the court to grant adequate time to allow the plaintiff file a reply.

 

On his part, Alegeh asked the court to order a speedy hearing of the motion on the grounds that the ex parte orders had stalled the premiere of the film on March 24.

 

In his ruling, Justice Buba abridged the time for hearing of the motion on notice, to March 30, adding that he was concerned with achieving the justice of the case and directed plaintiff’s counsel to ensure that advance copies of its processes are served on the defence by e-mail to ensure that the motion is heard without hindrances.

Update 31-3-2017

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos has lifted the injunction that prevented the premiere and release of Omoni Oboli’s new movie titled Okafor’s Law.

In his ruling on Thursday afternoon, the presiding judge said the movie should not have been prevented from showing in the first place since the copyright claim suit is yet to be determined by a competent court of law.

Following the new pronouncement, Okafor’s Law will be screened nationwide in all cinemas from Friday, March 31, 2017.

 

Please follows us on social media for more stories.

 

This story was curated from guardian.ng.