Nollywood actress Ini Edo has lost her legal claim to the ownership rights of the popular Netflix series “Shanty Town” to filmmaker Chinenye Nworah.
In January 2024, Ini Edo and her company, Minini Empire Productions Limited (MEP), initiated a legal challenge against Nworah and GCM by filing a double intellectual property petition.
The petition aimed to assert ownership over the trademarks and copyrights associated with the hit series.
However, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Trademark Registry have ruled against Ini Edo.
The authorities dismissed the petition as frivolous and lacking in merit. Additionally, the NCC rejected a separate request from Edo and MEP to annul two copyright certificates previously awarded to Nworah for “Shanty Town” — one for the literary work (Certificate Number LW10177) and another for the audiovisual work (Certificate Number CF1448).
In response to the ruling, Nworah’s lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba, commented: “The successful defense of these claims highlights the importance of protecting creative works and ensuring fair compensation for artists.”
