EFCC arraigns firm over illegal rebroadcast of Multichoice content

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a communication company, Metro Digital Limited on an amended four-count charge bordering on cybercrime and alleged unlawful interception and rebroadcast of Multichoice Nigeria Limited content. The agency, via a communiqué posted on its X handle on Wednesday, showed the firm was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Prosecution counsel, Steve Odiase, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment. Defence counsel, S. A. Somairi, SAN, sought to halt the arraignment by informing the court of a preliminary objection.

However, the judge refused and ordered that the plea be taken in line with Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which provides that “where a corporation is called upon to plead to any charge or information framed under to or altered under the provisions of this Act, it may enter in writing by its representative a plea of guilty or not guilty. ” Count one of the charges reads: “That you Metro Digital Limited (RC NO. 501134), Ifeanyi John Nwafor being the Managing Director of Metro Digital Limited (RC NO. 501134) (at large) and Ikenna Kanu, being a member of staff of Metro Digital Limited (RC NO.

501134) (at large), between 2015 and 2019, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: unlawful interceptions and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section … (1) of the same Act. ” Another count reads: “That you Metro Digital Limited (RC NO. 501134), Ifeanyi John Nwafor being the Managing Director of Metro Digital Limited (RC NO. 501134) (at large) and Ikenna Kanu, being a member of staff of Metro Digital Limited (RC NO.

501134) (at large), on or about 16th day of August, 2019, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did intentionally and without authorisation intercept by technical means and rebroadcast tiger boxes, dongles, etc.

Over which Multichoice Nigeria Limited have exclusive rights in sub-Saharan Africa and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 12(1) of the same Act. ” The charges allege that the company and some of its staff worked between 2015 and 2019 to illegally access and rebroadcast Multichoice content without permission.

Metro Digital Limited, through its representative, pleaded “not guilty” to all four counts. Following the plea, Odiase prayed the court for a trial date. Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter to June 29 and 30, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Investigations into the case began after Multichoice reported the matter to the EFCC in 2019, alleging that the illegal broadcast of its content caused it significant financial losses. Multichoice operates franchises including DStv, Africa Magic and reality show “Big Brother Naija. ”