MultiChoice Petitions EFCC Over Moreplex's Alleged Fraud

MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, the operator of DStv and GOtv, has filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Moreplex TV, alleging economic sabotage, tax evasion, and unlawful interception of broadcast signals. The petition, signed by Umar Ibrahim Abdulaziz, Head of Anti-Piracy at MultiChoice, claims that Moreplex accessed and re-broadcast MultiChoice content without authorization, resulting in a financial loss exceeding N2 billion.

This legal action escalates an ongoing dispute between the two companies, which has included a civil case in which Moreplex challenged MultiChoice's refusal to sublicense certain channels. In a judgment delivered on March 8, 2024, Justice Phoebe M.

Ayuba ruled in favor of Moreplex, declaring MultiChoice's actions unlawful and ordering it to sublicense the channels while awarding N200 million in damages. The situation raises concerns about competition and regulatory issues within Nigeria's pay-TV market.