Legal Perspective: Why Asake Doesn't Owe 'Epp Me' Policewoman Any Royalties, Explained by Lawyer

 Raphael Irenen, a seasoned legal practitioner, has debunked the idea that the viral police officer, Helen Utabor, is eligible for any earnings stemming from the music of Afrobeats artist Asake. The widely recognized phrase "Epp me, epp me… He dey carry me go where I no know" gained fame after an incident involving Utabor in 2022, where a driver took off with her. Comedian I Go Save brought attention to the officer's situation, prompting Asake to contribute N5 million toward her medical expenses.

However, Irenen clarified during an appearance on Arise TV's Good Morning Show that the Nigerian Copyright Act explicitly outlines six categories of works eligible for copyright, including music, writing, and audiovisual productions.

He emphasized that the video featuring Utabor qualifies as an audiovisual work, and copyright typically vests in the author, as per Section 28 of the Nigeria Copyright Act.

When questioned about Utabor's entitlement to royalties, Irenen straightforwardly responded, "Looking at the provisions of the law, the simple answer is No." He explained, "The video itself comprises the woman’s voice. It is quite reasonable to expect that people would advocate that she be compensated. But it doesn’t work that way."

Irenen further clarified, "If there was an agreement that stated the lady (Utabor) would be entitled to something, royalties, or she has certain ownership over the said video, that would have been different. But there was no agreement to that effect. The young man took out his phone and started recording."

He emphasized that Asake only used the voice and not the video itself in his song, making the lady's voice a separate entity. Consequently, Utabor does not have a claim to any royalties arising from the song.

In a tweet, Irenen reiterated, "She is not entitled to any royalty accruing from the song. Though her voice was used/sampled in the record, she is not the owner of the video, from which her voice was expunged and used for the said song."

This provides clarity on the legal perspective regarding Asake's song and the contribution of Utabor's voice to the viral video.