Nigeria's Metro Digital copyright dispute headed for court

law. Because of the level of corruption in the country, they have been getting away with things like this."

Metro Digital filed several lawsuits against the NCC at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on May 8, which resulted in a court order against NCC the next day restraining them from further invading the offices of the company, Nwafor said.

"The court also issued an order against NCC on the 16th May directing them to return all the equipment they damaged and carted away,” he added, claiming that NCC has refused to obey the court order.

HiTV's Ebuebu denies allegations of improper conduct. "HITV did not and would not bribe any organization or government official to protect its rights or investments," he said. A a criminal suit has been instituted by the NCC against Metro Digital as well as Nwafor, as required by the Nigerian Copyright Act, Ebuebu said.

"There is therefore no iota of truth in the complaint forwarded by Mr. Nwafor as he is deviously and deceitfully attempting to cover up the truth as regards his criminal activities. Mr. John Nwafor's company operates a pay-TV business that thrives on pirated programmes," Ebuebu wrote.

When contacted by the IDG News Service, NCC spokesman Obi confirmed HiTV's account, but has not yet responded in detail to all of Nwafor's complaints. All parties, however, will get a chance to air their grievances in the lawsuits due to be heard in the next few months.