Esteemed Nigerian Entertainment and IP Lawyer Rockson Igelige Passes Away at 55

Rockson Akpotiri Igelige, a distinguished Nigerian entertainment and intellectual property lawyer, passed away at the age of 55. Reports indicate that Igelige slumped and died at his residence in Oleh, the headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area in Delta State, on a Friday morning. The immediate cause of death was not disclosed at the time of reporting.

Born on June 1, 1971, in Oleh Kingdom, Delta State, Igelige’s early education included Odoro Primary School and Emore Grammar School in Oleh. He pursued Theatre Arts at the University of Benin from 1992 to 1996 before studying Law at the Oleh Campus of Delta State University. He subsequently attended the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, where he qualified as a lawyer.

Furthering his specialization, Igelige earned a Master of Laws degree in Entertainment Law from the University of Westminster in London. His master’s thesis focused on comparative British and Nigerian legal frameworks addressing film piracy.

Before entering the legal profession, Igelige completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Geidam, Yobe State. During his service year, he engaged in community development and educational awareness initiatives, earning both an NYSC Yobe State Award and a Yobe State News Award for his contributions.

Following Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999, Igelige entered politics. He was elected as a Peoples Democratic Party councillor representing Oleh Ward 1 in Isoko South Local Government Area. Initially serving as Supervisory Councillor for Health, he later became Speaker and Leader of the local government legislative house, a role he held until 2012.

Transitioning fully into law, Igelige established himself as a leading Nigerian lawyer specializing in entertainment, copyright, and intellectual property law. He represented numerous artists, producers, and creative professionals, becoming a vocal advocate for stronger IP protections in Nigeria.

Among his notable cases was a copyright dispute involving musician Omenuwoma Dovie, popularly known as Baba 2010, against telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria. The dispute concerned the alleged unauthorized use of Baba 2010’s musical works and involved proceedings before the Federal High Court and the Nigerian Copyright Commission. The matter was ultimately resolved out of court.

Igelige also provided counsel in various other copyright-related disputes, reinforcing his reputation as a trusted legal advisor in the creative industry.

In 2017, he founded the Friends of the Creator (Artistic) Foundation in Oleh. The foundation’s mission was to promote intellectual property education, advocacy, research, and support for creators and artists.

His professional achievements were recognized with the Entertainment Lawyer of the Year award in 2019. The Nigerian Bar Association, Oleh Branch, publicly congratulated him on this accolade.

Rockson Igelige’s passing marks the loss of a significant figure in Nigerian entertainment law and intellectual property advocacy. His contributions have left a lasting impact on the protection and promotion of creative rights in Nigeria.