Court slams EFCC, Multichoice over “unlawful raid,” awards N10m damages to Metro Digital

The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Multichoice Nigeria from further interfering in the operations of Metro Digital Limited, declaring a controversial 2025 raid on the company as unlawful and a violation of its fundamental rights.

Chinelo Odili (Justice), in a judgment delivered on Monday, held that the October 16, 2025, operation carried out by the EFCC at the premises of Metro Digital was illegal and unjustified, particularly as it stemmed from a civil copyright dispute outside the commission’s statutory mandate.

The dispute between Metro Digital and MultiChoice Nigeria originated from a disagreement over sublicensing rights. Multichoice had earlier secured a Preservation Order from the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in relation to the matter, prompting EFCC’s involvement.

However, the underlying copyright dispute had already been determined by the Court of Appeal in suit number CA/PH/CS/188/2021 and remains pending before the Supreme Court under Appeal No. SC/CV/1248/2022.

Odili noted that despite the ongoing judicial process at the apex court, EFCC proceeded with enforcement actions that disrupted Metro Digital’s operations.

During the raid, EFCC operatives reportedly carted away equipment and other business assets belonging to Metro Digital.

Several staff members were arrested, including an employee of an unrelated company who was present at the premises at the time.

The court found these actions to be excessive and unlawful, emphasising that the dispute in question was civil in nature and did not warrant criminal enforcement measures.

In response, Metro Digital instituted Suit No. PHC/3943/FHR/2025 against EFCC and Multichoice, arguing that the anti-graft agency had overstepped its statutory powers under the EFCC Establishment Act by intervening in a purely commercial disagreement.

The company further contended that copyright and contractual disputes fall outside the investigative jurisdiction of the commission.

Odili also referenced an earlier ruling delivered on December 10, 2025, by Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, which nullified the Preservation Orders obtained by Multichoice.

In that decision, the court ordered the EFCC to immediately and unconditionally return all items seized from Metro Digital. However, evidence before the court indicated that the order was not complied with.

In her ruling, Odili declared the arrests and disruption of Metro Digital’s business unlawful and a breach of its rights.

She subsequently issued a perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC, Multichoice, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS) from any further harassment, arrest, or interference in the company’s operations over the matter.

The court also awarded N10 million in damages against EFCC and Multichoice jointly, to be paid to Metro Digital Limited.

Reacting to the judgment, Anetochukwu Nworgu, counsel to Metro Digital, described the decision as a significant victory for the rule of law and a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s role as a safeguard against abuse of power.

He argued that the ruling sends a strong signal against what he described as monopolistic tendencies in Nigeria’s broadcasting sector, particularly in light of reforms introduced under the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Code, 6th Edition.

“The judiciary has risen to the occasion regardless of whose ox is gored,” Nworgu said, adding that the judgment offers protection to smaller industry players against undue corporate and institutional pressure.