EFCC Arrests Two SLTV Staff in Rivers Over Alleged Illegal Rebroadcast of DStv, GOtv Content

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two staff members of Metrodigital Television Ltd, operators of SLTV in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for allegedly rebroadcasting DStv and GOtv content without authorisation.

The arrests took place on Thursday during an enforcement operation at No. 12 Order Street, Rumuola, Stadium Link Road, GRA Phase IV, Port Harcourt.

The operation was conducted in line with a preservation order issued by Justice Adamu Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Rivers State, authorizing the EFCC to seize equipment and documents linked to the alleged piracy.

During the raid, operatives reportedly recovered broadcasting machines, decoders, transmission devices, servers, and other materials said to contain evidence of signal manipulation.

Employees present at the scene were questioned and made to provide statements.

Those taken into custody were identified as Chinedu Nwaikwu, a director, and Uche Kanu, an engineer in the transmission room. According to EFCC sources, the duo was apprehended while operating 22 decoders allegedly used for illegal transmissions.

A copy of the court order obtained by TheCable revealed that the EFCC was directed to “label and preserve all materials linked to the alleged rebroadcast of DStv and GOtv content as exhibits for trial” and to submit a “detailed inventory and photo documentation of the seized items.”

Justice Mohammed also restrained Metrodigital Television Ltd, its chief executive officer, Ifeanyi John Nwafor, and affiliated companies—Denna Rossi Limited, Kristal Food and Beverages, and QTV Plus Limited—from accessing or transmitting DStv and GOtv signals pending the determination of the suit.

The ruling further directed law enforcement agencies to “enforce compliance, shut down any ongoing illegal transmissions, and monitor activities to prevent further breaches.”

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Additionally, the court granted a post-no-debit (PND) order on several bank accounts linked to the alleged proceeds of piracy. The affected accounts include those belonging to Nwafor, Metrodigital Television/SLTV, Denna Rossi Limited, Kristal Food and Beverages, and QTV Plus Limited.

The EFCC was mandated to inform commercial banks, obtain bank verification numbers (BVNs), and preserve all funds suspected to be proceeds of the illegal activity.

However, the court declined the EFCC’s request for an arrest warrant and INTERPOL watch-listing of the defendants, ruling that they had not yet been formally arraigned.

“An order is hereby made permitting the complainant to access the premises of the sixth defendant (Metrodigital) situated at No. 12 Order Street, Rumuola, Stadium Link Road, GRA Phase IV, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for the purpose of taking possession of machines, equipment, documents and all instrumentalities and infringing products and documentary evidence of the volume of dealing in the infringing product to be found therein,” the judge stated in the order issued on October 10.

“An order is hereby made of injunction restraining the defendants and all other unauthorised persons, companies, firms or bodies from dealing in, manipulating and accessing the programme-carrying signals, channels and contents of DStv and GOtv.”

In a compliance report submitted to the court, the EFCC confirmed that all items seized during the operation had been secured and would be tendered as evidence at the next hearing.

The case has been adjourned until October 22, 2025, for plea and continuation of trial.