The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, arraigned a communications company, Metro Digital Limited, over the alleged unlawful interception and rebroadcast of Multichoice Nigeria Limited content.
The company was arraigned before Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, according to a statement by the EFCC.
The court proceedings are based on amended cybercrime charges.
What they are saying
At the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel, Steve E. Odiase, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment on the amended charges.
However, defence counsel, S.A. Somairi, SAN, informed the court of his preliminary objection to the charges.
But the judge refused the defence’s attempt to stall the arraignment and ordered that the plea be taken.
Citing Section 478 of the ACJA 2015, the judge held that “where a corporation is called upon to plead to any charge or information framed under the provisions of this Act, or any charge or information added to or altered under the provisions of this Act, it may enter, in writing, by its representative, a plea of guilty or not guilty.”
Subsequently, the court registrar read the charges.
-
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 interception, 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 the 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 decoders, dongles, etc., over which Multichoice Nigeria Limited has 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 company, through its representative, pleaded “not guilty” to all four-count charges.
In view of the plea of “not guilty,” the prosecution asked for a trial date.
Justice Mohammed subsequently adjourned the matter to June 29 and 30, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
Backstory
According to the EFCC, investigations into the case began after Multichoice reported the matter to the Commission in 2019.
The pay-TV company had claimed that the illegal broadcast of its content by the company caused it significant financial losses.
The EFCC’s charges allege that the company and some of its staff worked together between 2015 and 2019 to illegally access and rebroadcast Multichoice content without permission.
What you should know
- In May 2025, the Commission arrested 120 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos during a major operation aimed at dismantling online fraud syndicates. Authorities seized items, including 26 luxury vehicles and numerous smartphones.
- In a separate operation in Abuja, the EFCC apprehended 105 suspects, comprising 101 Nigerians and four foreign nationals, for their alleged involvement in internet fraud schemes, including fake hotel review job scams that targeted victims abroad.
The agency also arrested 28 suspected Ponzi scheme operators in Minna, Niger State, accusing them of enticing investors with unrealistic returns and collecting fees under false pretences, with plans to arraign them in court.
