Members of the Audio Visual Right Society (AVRS) on Tuesday morning picketed Raddison Blu Hotel on Isaac John Ikeja GRA demanding the payment of over N50m from the hotel for copyright infringement.
The Mahmoud Balogun-led AVRS members comprising of Nollywood stars took vantage positions at the hotel as early as 8am preventing both workers and customers of the hotel from going in or coming out. They blocked the main entrance of the hotel with one of their coaster buses, mounted a very big Speaker with music blaring while they kept gyrating vigorously and consequently grabbing the attention of the public.
Speaking with journalists before he was ushered in to have a talk with the management of the hotel, Mr. Ali-Balogun said that the picketing was their last option following the hide and seek tactics of the hotel and its lawyers.
He disclosed further that the hotel, which charges N90,000 for a room per night has practically refused to pay the Association N90 it charges the hotel for the use of its members’ film in its room to entertain its guests.
He said that by their calculation, the hotel which has so many branches in Lagos State, was indebted to AVRS to the tune of N50million.
Nollywood stars who were at the event, include: Adewale Elesho, Charles Inojie, Emeka Ossai, Iyen Agbonifo, Fred Amata, Sunny Macdon, Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, Grace Amah, Ejike Asiegbu among others.
