NCC Seizes N30m Broadcast Equipment from Pirates

Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) has confiscated broadcast  equipment valued at about N30 million allegedly being used to transmit illegally signals of the Multichoice Nigeria (DSTV) in Enugu.

In two separate operations in the metropolis, including the main market that lasted for over six hours, eight persons suspected to be involved in the illegal operations were also arrested.

Mrs. Ngozi Okeke, zonal director, NCC in the Southeast who briefed journalists after the raid, said it was as a result of complaints lodged with the commission by Multichoice that some Nigerians were infringing on their broadcast rights.

 Items recovered according to her include Q-Sats and A-Z skys, all used to transit DSTV signals illegally to members of the public for some fee.

 "They use the dongles to tap into channels of the DSTV like the football channels which only the DSTV has exclusive rights to air. They will also give the services out to people to subscribe and money that was supposed to go to DSTV does not go to them any longer but to these illegal operators," she stated.

Okeke said that the commission would continue to rid the society of illegal operators, warning that there was no hiding place for pirates.

She said that those arrested would be charged to court after investigations, adding that several persons were being prosecuted for various piracy offences.