Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the federal high court, Lagos Division, has granted an interim Mareva injunction freezing copyright levy funds payable to the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN).
The court also restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 20 commercial banks from disbursing the funds pending further hearing.
The order follows an ex parte application filed by Record Label Proprietors’ Initiative on behalf of 11 major record labels, including Mavin Records, Davido Music Worldwide, Chocolate City Music, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment Africa, and Warner Music South Africa.
The plaintiffs argued that the funds include royalties from sound recordings after they opted out of collective management by MCSN.
The court barred MCSN from accessing, withdrawing, or dealing with the funds, whether already received or yet to be disbursed.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa directed the CBN and affected banks, including Access Bank, GTBank, UBA, Zenith Bank, and First Bank, to preserve all sums and file affidavits within three days detailing amounts standing to MCSN’s credit.
MCSN was further ordered to render an account of funds attributable to the plaintiffs and refrain from any transactions pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice.
The case has been adjourned to 12 March 2026.
According to Dr Chinedu Chukwuji, supporting affidavit deponent, the action ensures proper protection of royalties owed to artists and record labels.
