Five remanded for piracy

Accra, Sept. 23, GNA- The Madina Magistrate's Court on Tuesday remanded five persons in custody for allegedly pirating the work of some local licensed publishers and printers.

The court, presided over by Mrs. Ivy Heward Mills asked the accused persons to re-appear on October 2, 2003 after the prosecution has asked for further investigation.

The plea of the accused persons, Faustina Agyemang, Rosina Armah and Kofi Mensah, all traders and Stella Owusu and Kofi Owusu, both Printers were not taken.

Police Chief Inspector A. Hamenoo, said the complainants are All Goods Limited, Samwood Limited, Asempa Books Limited, Sedco Publishers Limited and Ghana Publishers limited (Assembly Press).

The prosecution said two years ago, the complainants had information that some local printers were reproducing their works, so they decided to investigate in order to bring those involved to book. On September 8 this year, the prosecution said a complainant from "All Good Books Limited" was on her way to the Library when she saw Faustina and Rosina the first and second accused persons selling "Getting Ready for English Language 1A books" which she noticed to have been pirated.

Prosecution said, the complainant immediately alerted the police and Faustina and Rosina were arrested.

Investigations showed that Kofi Mensah gave the books to sell. The fourth and fifth accused, Stella and Kofi Owusu who owe a printing press at Old Dansoman, were also found to be the printers.

Prosecution said a range of pirated books was subsequently found during a search at the premises of the printing house and Stella and Owusu were also arrested.