Prominent Nigerian entertainment and intellectual-property lawyer Rockson Igelige has died at 55.
Filmmaker Zeb Ejiro and politician and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore broke the news in separate Facebook posts on Friday.
Although neither disclosed the cause of his death, they described Mr Igelige as a great friend and a fantastic lawyer.
“My brother, Rockson Igelige, why? This hit me hard! I have lost a brother and a dear friend. We have lost the best IP Lawyer in Africa.
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“The great Isoko Nation just lost a legal luminary. How did this happen? I am tired. Shocked!” Mr Ejiro wrote.
Compassionate man
Mr Sowore described the late Igelige as a courageous and compassionate man whose memory would remain with those who knew him.
He prayed for the lawyer’s soul and asked God to grant him eternal rest.
“So sad. A great friend of mine, a fantastic lawyer, and simply a great human being has passed away. The death of Rockson Igelige ‘Rocky’ is a truly painful loss.
“He was a man of courage and compassion whose impact will not be forgotten by those privileged to know him. May Rockson Igelige rest in power!” said the Ondo-born politician.
As of the time of filing this report, the Igelige family hasn’t released an official statement concerning his death.
A wealth of knowledge
Until his death, Mr Igelige maintained a strong relationship with PREMIUM TIMES’ Entertainment Desk and remained available to provide insight and clarification on industry-related matters.
Before his death, Mr Igelige provided insight into some of the intellectual property disputes that attracted attention in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
He, on several occasions, discussed copyright law, including the controversies that surrounded skit maker Brain Jotter’s use of veteran singer Mike Ejeagha’s “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” in “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche”, which later became popular through a TikTok dance challenge.
Mr Igelige also handled intellectual property matters involving prominent figures in Nollywood. He served as counsel to filmmaker Mr Ejiro in his legal dispute with actress Ann Njemanze over the name “Domitilla” before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Mr Igelige also commented on the dispute between VeryDarkMan and Blord over the use of “Ratel”. He explained that trademark registration does not automatically prevent everyone from using a particular word or name.
The late lawyer said the protection attached to a trademark depends largely on the class of goods or services covered by the registration.
He also used his experience to educate upcoming artistes on the legal precautions they should take before entering agreements with record labels, particularly around contracts, ownership and intellectual property.
Rockson Igelige
Mr Igelige founded the Friends of the Creator (Artistic) Foundation to advance and safeguard the rights of artists and other creative professionals.
Born and raised in Oleh, Delta State, he received his early education at Odoro Primary School and Emore Grammar School, Oleh. He went on to study Theatre Arts at the University of Benin from 1992 to 1996.
He subsequently studied Law at the Oleh Campus of Delta State University and completed his legal education at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. He later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Entertainment Law from the University of Westminster in London.
Mr Igelige attributed his decision to study Theatre Arts at the University of Benin to his longstanding passion for the entertainment industry.
Politics, others
Beyond his legal career, the late Igelige ventured into politics after Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. He contested and won a seat as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillor representing Oleh Ward 1 in Isoko South Local Government Area.
He first served as Supervisory Councillor for Health before becoming Speaker and Leader of the local government legislative house, a position he held from 1999 to 2012.
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Mr Igelige later built a career as an entertainment, copyright and intellectual property lawyer, representing artists, producers and other professionals in the creative industry.
In 2019, he called for the establishment of specialised courts to handle intellectual property infringement and internet fraud cases. He argued that quicker trials and appropriate sanctions would help curb such offences.
In 2017, Mr Igelige founded the Friends of the Creator Foundation in Oleh. The organisation focused on intellectual property advocacy, education, research and support for creators, while also promoting copyright awareness among young people and law students.
His work earned international recognition. Through the Friends of the Creator (Artistic) Foundation, Igelige became one of the signatories to the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s Mediation Pledge.