A United States-based Nigerian lecturer has sued the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Lamido Sanusi, for allegedly plagiarising his works.
The plaintiff, Prof. Victor Dike, of the School of Engineering and Technology, National University of Sacramento, California, said Sanusi breached his intellectual property rights without proper reference and citation in accordance with Copyright Acts in two separate convocation lectures he (Sanusi) presented.
The suit was filed on behalf of Dike by Mr. E. U. Chinedum at a Federal High Court, Abuja.
The matter concerns contents of various articles written and published by the plaintiff, including ‘Review of the challenges facing the Nigerian economy: (Is national development possible without technological capability?), published in the Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa (Volume 12).
Other materials involved in the matter are an article titled ‘Nigeria: Reform efforts and the unresolved socio-economic problems’, adapted from chapter nine of the book ‘Democracy and political life in Nigeria (2nd edition), as well as a write up titled ‘Nigeria’s bad governance and weak institution: Is the 2020 project achievable?’
Another article involved in the case is a work titled: ‘The state of education in Nigeria and the health of the nation’, published by the NESG Economic Indicators, vol. 8, No. 1, January-March 2002.
Dike, in his statement of claim, informed the court that he was the original author of the articles.
He alleged that Sanusi, in a public lecture delivered at the 8th Convocation Ceremony of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, on November 26, 2010, titled ‘Growth prospects for the Nigerian economy’ used (copied verbatim and pasted) from the his (plaintiff’s) ‘academic articles without referring to him (plaintiff) as the original author of the works.
The plaintiff averred that in yet another public lecture delivered at the Convocation Square, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, on December 10, 2010, titled ‘Global financial meltdown and the reforms in the Nigerian banking sector’, Sanusi also “copiously used (copied verbatim and pasted) articles originally written and published by the plaintiff without acknowledging the plaintiff as the author of the works from where he sourced the materials that made up his lecture”.
Dike added, “These articles have been published by the plaintiff and also variously cited by plethora of other writers, therefore the copyrights thereof belongs to the plaintiff”.
The plaintiff further informed the court that on discovering Sanusi’s actions, he promptly wrote him, reminding him of the breach of his copy rights.
However, according to the plaintiff, Sanusi replied to say
that he (Dike) was properly acknowledged and referred him to where he acknowledged only one article by one “Victor E.D”.
The plaintiff is asking the court to order Sanusi to pay him N15m, covering compensation (N10m), and the fees charged by his counsel (N2m), cost of traveling to Nigeria (N1m), hotel accommodation, transport and other logistics (N1.5m).
After hearing an exparte motion by the plaintiff on Monday, Justice Adamu Bello granted an order for substituted service of the process on the CBN governor.
The case was adjourned till May 31 for mention.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the CBN, Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor, said the suit against Sanusi was a mere distraction.
He said, “We are here at the World Bank meeting in Washington DC with the governor and somebody called me on this, but I haven’t heard anything like that. I have asked my people to find out because there is a whole lot of distraction going on.
“However, just think about it; what is he (Sanusi) gaining from plagiarizing? They are trying to distract the man from his work.”
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If it is true that the scholar's work was quoted verbatim without proper acknowledgement, the CBN Governor should be man enough to appologise to the scholar and save himself further embarrassment over this matter.
ReplyDeletethe governor knows better what the plaintiff is talking about. he should be able to consider himself in that position, that is, if he committed the offense, and understand his plight. it is not normally simple for anyone to say anything about anybody of fame in Nigeria because, no matter how much truth the sayer must suffer for saying it, but we know it is not like that in other countries where order and discipline are their priorities. I am glad that somebody could summon courage to make such a bold step against such an irokotree in Nigeria. However, the plaintiff should ensure that he is very sure of what he is claiming in order not to cause unnecessary embarrassment. however, the court knows how the truth sounds, and should be careful, not minding that the governor of CBN is involved
ReplyDeleteWhat do you expect of someone with a BSc economics and MSc in Islamic Banking. He has never been original not even with the things he does. It is a pity, it is only in Nigeria that someone like this will be heading such a sensitive position when there are many more qualify people.
ReplyDeleteHum, the second comment is too derogatory and should not have been published in the first instant. Do you know the discipline of the present President of World Bank? Please make a guided statement when addressing the public and base your comment on issues and not the dramatis personae.
ReplyDeleteWhat convinces you that sanusi is unqualified? I guess you don't know God. What else do you expect him to do? Have you gone through his records? What is the discipline of the new world bank? We should be careful while talking because; other rational minded people do the listening.
ReplyDeleteAre you not appreciating the man? After all, we have seen some Ex CBN Governors who are even....., then, their blunders were noted. If not Sanusi most of those 1,000,000 banks previously created would have been distressed by now and lead to the death of many Nigerians of hypertension.
We need a bold and honest person like Sanusi to help us in this country. Therefore, he could be found guilty of other things, it is possible, but don't say he is unqualified.
You don't write alone, it is a must you consult other people works, and that would be referred to as your basis of information. It is a normal thing, just that you have to indicate it and if possible you obtain permission.
My dear it wasn't Sanusi that brought the policy that reduced the thousand and one banks we have! Sanusi was still an ordinary bank staff when that policy was innitiated! That policy was brought and seen through by Proffessor Soludo! So plz know your facts before you pen down!
DeleteNigerians! our love for money is too extreme! This charge is just baseless & mere distraction because the plaintiff in question is just in need of money! he just want to use advantage to claim undeserved damages. First of all i dont believe an interllect like sanusi will cite his work without acknowledgment which the plaintiff was proved wrong. secondly the plaintiff should commend sanusi for recognising him & his work which also proves that he sanusi appreciate his indigenous researchers/lecturer in dispora because alot of published work are their unoticed. thirdly, everyone including the plaintiff must have been guity of pliagiarism intentionally or unintentionally, so who sue him? Let be realistic, the plaintiff is broke & need quick money.. so the charge is totally baseless! am sure the plaintiff too will also charge to court if his so called work is properly scrutinized for pliagiarism...
ReplyDeleteSome of the comments one reads on this forum are corrupted by religious, ethnic or other biases. It will help if Nigerians deal with issues only. Lamido Sanusi certainly has done some wonderful work at the CBN and for Nigeria, but just like any human, he has committed some blunders too. This one may likely be one of such. Let the court prove him guilty or not guilty since the matter is now before it, then we can vilify or glorify him.
ReplyDeletei think am confused, inrespective of my believe and faith, this is a man I personally respect, God help us.
ReplyDeleteI really have to say "Plagiarism" is a serious crime. Whether or not the Plaintiff needs money, or The Central Bank's Governor has or is still doing a good Job The Bone of Contention is Plagiarism-Theft of someone else's Intellect work?? It's certainly wrong and most be Prosecuted regardless of the reasons behind the action.
ReplyDeleteAnd to those persons being subjective try to be objective to issues.