The four music pirates
Four music pirates who were arrested from their various hideouts in Accra recently by the law enforcement unit of the Copyright Office have been jailed by an Accra Circuit Court 2, presided over by Her Ladyship Ruby Naa Adjeley Quayson.
The accused persons pleaded guilty to the charges against them and were sentenced to a fine of GH¢6,000 each in default of five months imprisonment with hard labour.
According to the facts presented to the court by Detective Sergeant Nasigri Braimah Seidu and Detective Sergeant Kessie Akrasi, the law enforcement unit of the Copyright Office embarked on an anti-piracy operation at the Tema Station in Accra and during the operation, the accused – Michael Enni, Osei Francis, Abraham Yussif and Nana Adu, aka Aikins Danquah – were arrested together with their laptop computers.
The laptop computers were full of audio and audio-visual works, both local and foreign, from which they download onto interested people’s mobile phones and other devices at a fee.
During interrogation, the accused persons admitted the offence and one of them, Michael Enni, informed the police that the illegal enterprise was set up for him by his brother, Kwame Nti of Kumasi, and also a member of the film producers industry.
According to him, he makes weekly sales of GH¢ 60 to his brother, adding that he charges GH0.20p per track.
The accused persons after investigations were subsequently charged and arraigned before court.