Prominent Nigerian entertainment and intellectual property lawyer, Rockson Akpotiri Igelige, has died.
He was 55.
The immediate cause of his death was not known as of the time of filing this report, while further details were being awaited from his family and professional colleagues.
A native of Oleh Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Igelige was widely recognised for his work in entertainment, copyright and intellectual property law, as well as his advocacy for stronger legal protection for Nigerian musicians, filmmakers, producers and other creative professionals.
One of the defining cases of his career was the celebrated copyright dispute involving Nigeria Go Survive, the enduring song by Nigerian musician Veno Marioghae. In the case, telecommunications giant Airtel Nigeria was found liable for copyright infringement.
The litigation became an important reference point in Nigeria’s intellectual property and entertainment industry, underscoring the obligation of major corporations to obtain appropriate authorisation before commercially exploiting copyrighted creative works.
Igelige’s role in the case further strengthened his reputation as a forceful defender of the economic and intellectual property rights of Nigerian creators.
He was also the founder of the Friends of the Creator (Artistic) Foundation, an organisation established to promote intellectual property rights and support creative professionals.
Born on June 1, 1971, Igelige attended Odoro Primary School and Emore Grammar School, Oleh, before proceeding to the University of Benin, where he studied Theatre Arts between 1992 and 1996.
He later studied Law at the Oleh Campus of Delta State University and attended the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. He subsequently obtained a Master of Laws degree in Entertainment Law from the University of Westminster, London, where his postgraduate research focused on British and Nigerian laws relating to film piracy.
Before entering legal practice, Igelige completed the National Youth Service Corps programme in Geidam, Yobe State. During his service, he participated in community development and educational awareness programmes, work that reportedly earned him an NYSC Yobe State Award and a Yobe State News Award.
He also had a brief political career following Nigeria’s return to democratic government in 1999. He was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party as councillor representing Oleh Ward 1 in Isoko South Local Government Area.
He initially served as Supervisory Councillor for Health before becoming Speaker and Leader of the local government legislative house.
Igelige eventually devoted himself fully to law, building a significant practice around entertainment, media, sports, copyright and intellectual property. He represented musicians, record labels, producers and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative industries.
Beyond the Nigeria Go Survive case, he was involved in several other copyright disputes, including litigation involving musician Omenuwoma Dovie, popularly known as Baba 2010, and a telecommunications company over the alleged unauthorised exploitation of the artiste’s musical works.
The dispute involved proceedings before the Federal High Court and the Nigerian Copyright Commission before eventually being resolved out of court.
In 2017, Igelige established the Friends of the Creator (Artistic) Foundation in Oleh as a platform for intellectual property education, research, advocacy and support for creators seeking to protect their works and earn legitimate income from them.
His contributions to entertainment law earned him professional recognition, including the Entertainment Lawyer of the Year award in 2019, an honour publicly celebrated by the Oleh Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.
His intellectual property advocacy also attracted international recognition, with the World Intellectual Property Organisation listing him in connection with the Friends of the Creator Foundation.
In 2021, the Nigerian Bar Association appointed him to its Future of Legal Practice Committee.
Igelige was also a prolific commentator on copyright and entertainment law, regularly speaking on emerging issues involving digital distribution, piracy, music rights, online platforms and the commercial exploitation of creative works.
At the time of his death, he was Principal Partner of Rockson Legal, headquartered on Odoro Road, Oleh. His practice covered litigation, arbitration and advisory services for artists, record labels, producers and other participants in the entertainment, sports and media industries.
His death brings to an end a career that spanned theatre, politics, law, community development and intellectual property advocacy. His passing is expected to be deeply felt within Nigeria’s legal and creative communities, particularly in his native Isoko.
Further details concerning the circumstances of his death and funeral arrangements were still being awaited as of press time.
Igelige is survived by his wife and children.
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