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Federal High Court freezes copyright levies payable to MCSN
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Court restrains CBN and commercial banks from disbursing funds
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Major labels including Universal, Sony, Warner back suit
The Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and at least 20 commercial banks from disbursing copyright levy funds payable to the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN).
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa granted an interim Mareva injunction freezing the funds pending the determination of a suit filed by the Record Label Proprietors’ Initiative and 11 major record labels and music companies.
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The plaintiffs include Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment Africa, Warner Music South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Mavin Records Ltd, and Davido Music Worldwide Ltd, among others.
In an ex parte application filed on February 5, 2026, the plaintiffs asked the court to stop the CBN from releasing or transferring copyright levy funds related to sound recordings meant for MCSN until a formal motion is heard and determined.
The court also barred MCSN, its agents, and associates from receiving or dealing with the funds and directed the CBN and the affected banks to preserve the sums and file affidavits within three days disclosing the amounts credited to MCSN.
Funds already received by MCSN for recordings belonging to the plaintiffs, after they had opted out of collective management, are to be preserved.
MCSN was ordered to account for such funds and suspend further transactions pending the full hearing.
The matter has been adjourned to March 12, 2026, for further proceedings.
