EFCC arrests two Metrodigital TV staff over alleged illegal rebroadcast of DStv, GOtv content

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two employees of Metrodigital Television Ltd, operators of SLTV, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over alleged illegal rebroadcasting of DStv and GOtv content.

The operation, carried out on Thursday, followed a preservation order issued by Justice Adamu Mohammed of the Federal High Court, empowering the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to take possession of equipment and documents linked to the alleged piracy.

The EFCC team raided the company’s facility at No. 12 Order Street, Rumuola, Stadium Link Road, GRA Phase IV, Port Harcourt, seizing broadcasting machines, decoders, transmission equipment, servers, and documents believed to contain records of unauthorized signal manipulation.

Two employees, identified as Chinedu Nwaikwu, a director, and Uche Kanu, an engineer in the transmission room, were arrested during the operation. Sources within the commission said they were found with 22 decoders allegedly used for the illegal transmission.

The court order directed the EFCC to secure and label all seized items as exhibits for trial. A detailed seizure report with photographs and serial numbers of the confiscated materials is expected to be presented in court.

The court also issued an injunction restraining Metrodigital Television Ltd, its Chief Executive Officer, Ifeanyi John Nwafor, and associated companies including Denna Rossi Limited, Kristal Food and Beverages, and QTV Plus Limited from further accessing or transmitting the programme-carrying signals, channels, and content of DStv and GOtv pending the determination of the case.

Law enforcement agencies were also mandated to serve the order on all listed defendants, shut down unauthorized signal feeds, and monitor compliance to prevent further infringement.