By Ebere Suzy
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) on Wednesday confiscated illegal transmitting equipment worth over N2.5 million in Onitsha, Anambra.
The items seized includes: transmitting decoders, transmission boasters, rolls of installation wires and accessories.
The NCC during raid, which was carried out in Akpaka, GRA, 3-3 Estate and Federal Housing, arrested two suspects for allegedly transmitting signals of Multi-choice, a pay-view television company illegally.
Speaking to newsmen, the Director of Enforcement of NCC, Mr Augustine Amodu said that the rate of illegal signal transmission in Onitsha was alarming.
Amodu said that the perpetrators collect up to N3,000 per month for over 100 households which is more than the salary of a senior civil servant.
He revealed that the Director-General of NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude, had issued a directive for the continuous raid in Onitsha until those in the business stop it and find legitimate things to do.
He noted that they are out for those pi rating the work of right owners and intellectual property in Onitsha and will go to any length within their legal frame-work to apprehend and prosecute those in the business no matter how remote they think they are.
“Our right owners, intellectuals and stakeholders must be happy to continue to add to the economy and development of the country.
“Onitsha would soon be a no go area for illegal transmitting of signals of Multi-choice; pirating other people’s books and other illegalities,’’ he noted.
Also speaking, the Zonal Manager of NCC, Mr Emeka Ogbonna, said that those arrested would be prosecuted in the court; adding that the zonal office would continue to gather intelligence to fight copyright offenders in Onitsha.
“As Onitsha is known for a lot of commercial activities, so is the issue of crime in it especially where people feel like cutting corners and reaping where they did not sow.
Ogbonna noted that it’s a battle they must accomplished and would not rest until they know that Onitsha is a no go area for book piracy, illegal signal transmission and other forms of copyright infringements.
