EFCC Drags Metro Digital to Court Over Illegal Rebroadcast of DStv, Big Brother Naija

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a communication company, Metro Digital Limited, before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over alleged unlawful interception and rebroadcast of content belonging to Multichoice Nigeria Limited.

The company was brought before Justice A.T. Mohammed on Tuesday on an amended four-count charge bordering on cybercrime and copyright infringement. The charges also named the firm’s Managing Director, Ifeanyi John Nwafor, and a staff member, Ikenna Kanu, who are both currently at large.

According to the charge sheet, the company and its staff allegedly conspired between 2015 and 2019 to illegally access and rebroadcast Multichoice content using devices such as tiger boxes and dongles. The prosecution stated that the act was done without authorisation and violated exclusive rights held by Multichoice across sub-Saharan Africa.

When the charges were read, Metro Digital Limited, through its representative, pleaded not guilty to all four counts.

The defence counsel had attempted to halt the arraignment by filing a preliminary objection, but the judge overruled the application and ordered that the company’s plea be taken in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Following the not-guilty plea, the prosecution asked the court to set a date for trial. Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter to June 29 and 30, 2026, for continuation of trial.

The case originated from a complaint lodged by Multichoice in 2019, in which the company alleged that the illegal rebroadcast of its content had resulted in significant financial losses. Multichoice is the operator of DStv, Africa Magic, and the reality show Big Brother Naija.