The Nigerian Copyright Commission has arrested one Mr. Ubong Obot for illegally transmitting broadcast signals of Multichoice (DSTV) to an estimated 500 houses in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
Obot is said to have installed the DSTV signals to different homes for N5,000 and charged N1,000 per month as subscription fee.
Uyo Liaison Officer, NCC, Mr. Amudipe Charles, who represented the Director-General, NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude, told journalists in Uyo on Monday
that Obot was arrested with the equipment he used to transmit the cable television signals illegally.
Ezekude said,“The operatives of the NCC have raided Obot’s house over illegal transmission of cable television signals in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
“Illegal transmitting decoders, transmission boosters, rolls of installation wires, and other accessories worth N20m were impounded during the raid at two different locations. The locations are No. 89 Atan Road, 32 Umuahia Road, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
“Investigation into the case continues and appropriate action will be taken on conclusion of investigation.”
He stated that Obot, who operated as Botex Integrated Service, was arrested based on intelligence and surveillance reports during an anti-piracy operation.
He added that the operatives of the NCC had also on June 1, 2013 arrested four pirates and confiscated an estimated N3.2m worth of copyright infringing products during an antipiracy operation in Uyo metropolis.
Ezekude stated that the anti-piracy raid was carried out in four outlets dealing in suspected pirated products located on 2, Abak Road; 29, Abak Road; 30, Oron Road and 37, Oron Road, Uyo.
“The impounded products included large consignments of foreign and local VCD/DVD movies as well as musical works of both foreign and local artists,” he said.
Ezekude said the commission was intensifying its anti-piracy campaign across the country to protect genuine right owners and the copyright industries in the country.
He said the commission was hindered by paucity of funds and asked the Federal Government to help provide the needed funds for the commission in the interest of Nigerians.
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