NCC Declares CTL Boss Wanted

The Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, yesterday, declared wanted top executive of Communication Trends Limited, a cable satellite service provider over alleged broadcast piracy.
But in a sharp reaction, a top manager of  CTL, Mr Kalada Wilson described the NCC move as a grand conspiracy to institutionalise a monopoly  in satellite TV business.
In a statement by NCC Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Vincent Oyesefo, the commission justified its simultaneous raid on six CTL satellite stations, saying the action was based on allegation and prima-facie evidence of broadcast piracy brought against CTL by Entertainment Highways Limited, commonly known as HITV
The NCC said since the raid, the wanted CTL executive had been on the run while some arrested managers from various CTL stations had made useful statements.
According to the statement, the NCC was currently collaborating with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in its ongoing investigation with a view to prosecuting offenders of the nation’s copyright laws.
HITV, according to the NCC had in October last year petitioned the commission alleging unauthorised broadcast of its English Premier League (EPL) and UEFA matches contents which, according to the commission, were protected by copyright and which infringement by cable operators, including CTL, amounted to piracy.
The NCC chronicled various instances when CTL was warned against inappropriate conduct but to no avail, a reason which it gave for last month’s raid on CTL’s station and plan to prosecute alleged offenders
In a telephone interview, yesterday, a top manager of CTL, Mr Kalada Wilson described as unfortunate the connivance of the NCC with a satellite service provider to institutionalise a monopoly in an emerging market economy like ours.
Mr Wilson who denied all allegations of piracy , levelled against his establishment, said the matter was before Federal High Court which alone had the judicial power to adjudicate over the allegation of piracy and the unwanted destruction of equipment belonging to CTL.