The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has dragged Metro Digital Limited before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for alleged illegal interception and rebroadcast of content belonging to Multichoice Nigeria Limited.
The arraignment followed an amended four-count charge bordering on cybercrime before Justice A.T Mohammed at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on May 5, 2026.
Prosecution counsel Steve E. Odiase told the court the matter was for arraignment while defence counsel S.A. Somairi, SAN, raised a preliminary objection seeking to halt proceedings.
The court, however, denied the request and ordered that the plea be recorded. Justice Mohammed invoked provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which permits a company to enter a plea through its representative.
The company alongside its Managing Director, Ifeanyi John Nwafor and a staff member Ikenna Kanu, were charged with conspiracy between 2015 and 2019 to unlawfully intercept and re-broadcast Multichoice content without authorisation.
The charge also stated that the firm allegedly used technical devices, including decoder systems, to retransmit content to which Multichoice holds exclusive rights in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Through its representative Metro Digital Limited pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
After the plea, the prosecution asked for a trial date and the court adjourned the matter to June 29 and 30, 2026, for continuation of trial.
The anti-graft agency said its investigation into the matter started in 2019 following a report by Multichoice on the alleged illegal rebroadcast of its content which it said led to huge financial losses.
The statement was released on the official EFCC page on May 5, 2026.
