By Abdulgafar Oladimeji.
A federal high court sitting in Kano has discharged and acquitted a Kano businessman, Tope Samuel, and Sky TV Global Media limited all arraigned on alleged charges of fraudulent practices.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in suit No FHC/KN/CR/137/2014, in November 2014 dragged the defendants before the court for providing electronic communication services to subscribers without obtaining the full names, residential and corporate address of their clients.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants possess satellites, dongles, routers, mini receivers, inverters, sim cards, and equipment used to illegally access communication signals from MultiChoice Nigeria limited.
The prosecution told the court that the defendants acted in a manner that also contradicts the provisions of section 20 of the copyright acts cap C28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Further, five prosecution witnesses testified against the defendants in the matter.
NHRC Charges Stakeholders To Roll Back COVID-19
The defendants led by Barrister U.U Eteng denied the allegations levied by the prosecution, arguing that the defendants were licensed by CAC to engage in the importation of free to air satellite decoders.
The defendants were legally certified to also sale and distribute Pay-TV cards and installation services, the court heard.
The presiding judge, justice Zubairu Abubakar handed that the prosecution failed to establish the offense slammed against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court stated that Sky TV Global limited is an entity registered with CAC with an MoU, adding that the equipment tendered in exhibit tendered before the court by the prosecution were those been used by the company to conduct its day to day business activities.
The court said “ the prosecution in my view failed to prove the charge against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.
“consequently the defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted of the charge.” Justice Zubairu stated.
