A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has dismissed a N500 million suit instituted against a popular singer, Kingsley Okonkwo popularly known as KCee, and two others over alleged copyright infringement of the song ‘Som Too Chukwu’.
In his judgment, Justice Kehinde Ogundare held that the claimant, Jude Nnam, failed to prove the alleged infringement of his copyright work and also awarded a punitive cost of N1 million against him.
Also joined, as defendants, in the suit were Five Star Music Limited, and Mr Emeka Okonkwo (aka E-Money).
The plaintiff had in his amended statement of claim argued that he is one of the most well-known and arguably the most accomplished gospel music composers in Nigeria.
The plaintiff added that some of the musical works created by him include the following: ‘Jesus the Navigator’, ‘Olisa’, ‘Abinci Alheri’, ‘Take and Sanctify’, ‘Surrender Your Heart to Jesus’, ‘Salelaka’, ‘Chizara M’, ‘Bring Them to the Lord’ ‘My Story’, ‘In Thanksgiving and Love’, ‘Thanksgiving of Amazing Grace’, ‘Adupe Baba’ and ‘Bomboyeti’ among others.
The plaintiff further alleged that the defendants infringed on his copyright as well as the ownership rights to the song titled ‘Som Too Chukwu’ which he produced sometime in 2001, adding that KCEE surreptitiously included it in his music album titled ‘Cultural Praise without his consent or authorisation.
