Headline:
EFCC Arraigns Metro Digital Over Alleged Illegal Rebroadcast of MultiChoice Content
Subheading:
Company pleads not guilty as court sets trial date for June in high-profile piracy case
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Metro Digital Limited has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over allegations of illegally intercepting and rebroadcasting content belonging to MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, the parent company of DStv, GOtv, and Showmax.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed four amended cybercrime charges against the company, marking the latest development in a case that has been under investigation since 2019.
Court Proceedings and Plea
During Tuesday’s hearing, Justice A.T. Mohammed dismissed a preliminary objection raised by the defense and ordered Metro Digital to enter a plea. The company, represented in court, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecution lawyer Steve Odiase requested a trial date, while defense counsel S.A. Somairi (SAN) sought to halt proceedings, citing pending legal objections. The judge overruled the request, invoking Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which permits corporate entities to plead through representatives.
The case has been adjourned to June 29–30 for trial commencement.
Allegations and Charges
The EFCC alleges that between 2015 and 2019, Metro Digital conspired with its Managing Director, Ifeanyi Nwafor, and an employee, Ikenna Kanu—both currently at large—to unlawfully intercept MultiChoice’s broadcast signals.
One charge accuses the defendants of illegally rebroadcasting digital television signals on August 16, 2019, violating Section 27(1) of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act. Prosecutors claim the unauthorized transmission infringed on MultiChoice’s exclusive rights across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Background of the Case
The investigation began after MultiChoice reported significant financial losses due to alleged piracy. In October 2025, EFCC operatives raided Metro Digital’s Port Harcourt office, arresting two employees and seizing equipment, including decoders and servers.
The court had earlier issued interim orders:
- Restraining Metro Digital from accessing MultiChoice signals
- Freezing accounts linked to the alleged piracy
Company’s Defense
Metro Digital has denied criminal wrongdoing, framing the dispute as a civil licensing disagreement rather than a cybercrime case. The company claims the matter is already under litigation and disputes EFCC’s jurisdiction.
What’s Next?
The trial, set for late June, will determine whether Metro Digital violated cybercrime laws or if the case hinges on contractual disputes. The outcome could set a precedent for intellectual property enforcement in Nigeria’s broadcast industry.
— Reported by Nexio News
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