Prominent Nigerian entertainment and intellectual property lawyer, Rockson Akpotiri Igelige, who successfully prosecuted the landmark copyright infringement case over the unauthorised use of the popular song “Nigeria Go Survive,” 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.
Igelige, a native of Oleh Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, was widely known for his work in entertainment, copyright, and intellectual property law and for his advocacy for stronger legal protection for Nigerian musicians, filmmakers, producers, and other creative professionals.
One of the defining cases of his legal career was the celebrated copyright battle involving “Nigeria Go Survive,” the enduring song by Nigerian musician Veno Marioghae, in which 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 legal obligation of major corporations to obtain appropriate authorisation before commercially exploiting copyrighted creative works.
Igelige’s involvement in the case strengthened his reputation as an aggressive defender of the economic and intellectual property rights of Nigerian creators.
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 subsequently studied Law at the Oleh Campus of Delta State University and attended the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. He later obtained a Master of Laws degree in Entertainment Law from the University of Westminster, London, with his postgraduate research focusing on British and Nigerian laws dealing with film piracy.
Before entering legal practice, Igelige undertook the National Youth Service Corps programme in Geidam, Yobe State, where he participated in community development and educational awareness programmes. His work reportedly earned him an NYSC Yobe State Award as well as a Yobe State News Award.
He also had a stint in politics following Nigeria’s return to democratic government in 1999, winning election on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party as a councillor representing Oleh Ward 1 in Isoko South Local Government Area.
He served initially as Supervisory Councillor for Health and later became Speaker and Leader of the local government legislative house.
Igelige eventually concentrated on law and built a significant practice around entertainment, media, sports, copyright, and intellectual property, representing musicians, record labels, producers, and other players in Nigeria’s creative industry.
Apart from the “Nigeria Go Survive” litigation, he was associated with several major copyright disputes, including a case 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 went through proceedings involving the Federal High Court and the Nigerian Copyright Commission before it was eventually settled 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 work 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 gained 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 addressing emerging questions surrounding 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 in Oleh. His practice covered litigation, arbitration, and advisory services for artists, labels, producers, and other participants in the entertainment, sports, and media industries.
His death brings to an end a career that traversed theatre, politics, law, community development, and intellectual property advocacy and 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 being awaited as of press time.
Igelige is survived by his wife and children.
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