Phonographic Piracy Gang Fined

A Kumasi Circuit Court has sentenced two members of a four-member gang engaged in pirating phonographic materials to a fine of GH¢15,000 each or 12 months' imprisonment in default.

The two pleaded guilty and were convicted on their own pleas.

Their two accomplices, who pleaded not guilty, were granted a GH¢10,000 bail each with a surety to be justified.

The two would re-appear before the Court on February 11 2009.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Doris Amewu told the Court presided over by Mr D.P.W. Amedior that, Issah Ousman; Kabiru Ahmadu; Labaru Sumanu and Abdul Rahman were all Nigeriens.

He said upon a tip-off the Police and a Taskforce of the Akan Film Producers Association on January 13 2009 carried out an exercise at Alla Bar in Kumasi and the culprits were arrested.

He said about 2,000 pirated copies of Akan video films, packed in 10 boxes were retrieved from them.

The Court heard that, the mode of operation of the syndicate was that, they procured original copies of video films, took them outside the country to reproduce them and then smuggled them back into the country to sell at cheaper prices.