NCC arrests 12 for transmitting DSTV signals at N500 monthly

The Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, on Thursday apprehended 12 suspects for illegal transmission of Multi-choice signals.

The South-East Zonal Manager of the NCC, Emeka Ogbonna, informed journalists in Onitsha that the Commission acted on a tip-off from residents in Awada community at Onitsha in Anambra state.

He said that during the raid, the Commission seized illegal transmitting equipment worth N29.3 million. They include transmitting decoders, transmission boosters and rolls of installation wires and accessories.

The official disclosed that the suspects had been transmitting illegal broadcasting signals of Multi-choice (DSTV) at a give-away price of N500 monthly for some years.

According to him, the NCC was committed to carrying out its regulatory and enforcement mandate.

“The law, when amended, will provide severe penalty for copyright offences and criminalise illegal usage of protected works thus making subscribers liable also,” he said.

“NCC is advising those who operate illegal transmissions and the people that subscribe to them to desist just to avoid being arrested and charged to court,” he added.