Ezenwaka, for allegedly engaging in piracy of DSTV signals. The Police
Special Fraud Unit, SFU, stated this on Friday.The duo, traders at the
Alaba International market, are accused of importing, selling, and
distributing "illicit" devices capable of illegally accessing DSTV's
broadcast signals to "unsuspecting" members of the public.
In a statement signed by Ngozi Isintume-Agu, the SFU Public Relations
Officer, the police said it acted upon a petition by Multichoice
Nigeria Limited, the provider of encrypted multi-channel satellite
television service known as DSTV.
Tunde Ogunshakin, Commissioner of Police at SFU, said, according to
the statement, that the suspects set up contrived equipment that act
as gateways which facilitated illegal access to the multinational
company's broadcast signals.
"Some items suspected to have been used in pirating the intellectual
property were recovered as exhibits," Mr. Ogunshakin said.
According to police records, Mr. Johnson, 28, an apprentice from Abia
State was arrested in Shop No. "F" 1377 and the items recovered from
him included a strong decoder, 16 open boxes and one UPS.
Mr. Ezenwaka, 42, who hails from Anambra State, on the other hand,
claimed to be a technician who repairs TVs, LCDs, and DVDs.
He is the owner of Shop No. "73″ and the items recovered from him
included Avatars and Spider which according to him are Receivers for
free to air transmission. Also, a Laptop and Desktop Computers were
recovered, the police said.
Mr. Ogunshakin said that the suspects would be charged to court "soonest."
Multichoice, through DSTV, has a monopoly over major programmes and
events in Nigeria including the English Premier League, and the full
UEFA Champions League. The seemingly high cost of subscription for the
DSTV channels makes some Nigerians look for ways to by-pass official
and legal routes to access these programs and channels.
Officials of Multichoice have in the past explained that moneys paid
to get the rights of some of these exclusive programs and channels,
coupled with huge operation costs, lead to the high subscription fees.