FilmOne Entertainment has taken decisive action against copyright infringement following the illegal upload of parts of its comedy film ‘Owambe Thieves’ on TikTok. The film was unlawfully shared by an account operating under the alias “Naijaprey TV”, which was also found selling access to a full high-resolution pirated copy of the movie—complete with his watermark—for financial gain.
Upon discovering the infringement, FilmOne filed a petition with the relevant government and law-enforcement authorities. A subsequent investigation led to the arrest of the suspect, identified as Roqeeb Ayobami Musibau. According to FilmOne, he will face the full weight of the law.
In its statement, FilmOne noted that Nigeria, now widely recognised as Africa’s creative capital and an emerging global cultural force, continues to suffer enormous economic losses due to piracy. The company described piracy as “the most damaging threat to Nigeria’s creative economy”, warning that it undermines legitimate investment, deprives talent of fair compensation, and threatens the long-term sustainability of Nollywood’s growth.
FilmOne reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on copyright infringement and urged the public to stop patronising pirated content — whether through physical copies or via social media platforms. Instead, it advised audiences to support legal channels, which provide better viewing experiences and help sustain the livelihoods of filmmakers and content creators.
“Any form of unauthorised reproduction or use of creative work remains an offence under the Nigerian Copyright Act,” the company stressed, adding that it will continue to work with authorities to combat piracy at all levels.
A Growing industry-Wide Shift
FilmOne’s enforcement action comes at a time when Nollywood and regulatory bodies are ramping up their war on piracy, particularly online. In 2025, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) launched a joint project to curb digital piracy across Africa, strengthening enforcement capacity and closing technical loopholes.
Industry players are also taking independent steps: The Nile Group partnered with DigiGuardians to deploy tech-driven monitoring and takedowns of illegal uploads. Alongside increased collaboration between customs and law-enforcement agencies to intercept illicit content, these efforts reflect a broader shift toward building a stronger, more coordinated anti-piracy framework for Nollywood.
These multi-level interventions suggest that the industry is gradually building the legal, regulatory and enforcement framework needed to challenge long-standing piracy networks.
Why FilmOne’s Action is Significant
FilmOne’s move has broader implications for Nollywood’s battle against piracy. It highlights several critical steps in safeguarding the industry’s future:
- Deterrence for would-be infringers – Visible enforcement shows that piracy is no longer a low-risk offence, especially in Nigeria’s increasingly digital marketplace.
- Protection of investments – Producers, actors, and investors rely on box-office and streaming returns. Piracy drains revenue and weakens investor confidence.
- Promoting legitimate consumption – Encouraging audiences to use official channels helps build a culture of respect for intellectual property.
- Strengthening institutional capacity – Cooperation between film companies and law enforcement boosts the effectiveness of ongoing national anti-piracy reforms.
- Supporting Nollywood’s global aspirations – A film industry that protects its intellectual property becomes more attractive to international partners and distributors.
Piracy has long plagued Nollywood, but FilmOne’s swift and coordinated response in the ‘Owambe Thieves’ case reflects a new level of seriousness in enforcing intellectual-property rights. Combined with broader national and international initiatives, this approach may signal a turning point for an industry striving to protect its creative output and maintain sustainable growth.
