The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has officially shut down the controversial video streaming website, MovieBox.ng, over allegations of piracy.
In a public statement issued Thursday in Abuja, the NCC confirmed that the website was taken offline on July 20, 2025, for illegally distributing copyrighted content including films, music, and live sports broadcasts.
TJ Tech Nigeria reports that the domain takedown was executed in collaboration with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), as part of intensified efforts to curb online copyright violations in the country.
Also Read : BREAKING: Inside the Details of the Alleged Feud Between Akpabio and Bamidele
Why MovieBox.ng Was Targeted
According to the Director-General of NCC, Dr. John Asein, MovieBox.ng was at the center of a sophisticated piracy ring. The site allegedly used multiple mirror domains to reroute traffic and evade enforcement actions, with its web history tied to known piracy operations.
“They use multiple mirror domains to access and promote pirated content,” Dr. Asein said, stressing that the Commission had documented several attempts by the operators to mask their activities.
He added that the enforcement action aligns with the NCC’s newly launched “Stand Together Against Online Piracy (STOP)” campaign — an initiative that has drawn wide support from Nigeria’s entertainment stakeholders.
Support from NiRA and Ongoing Monitoring
The NCC praised NiRA for its swift action in suspending the MovieBox.ng domain. The agency also urged:
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
- Domain Registrars
- Digital content intermediaries
to respond quickly to future takedown requests, as provided under the Copyright Act, 2022.
What’s Next for MovieBox.ng and Similar Sites
The Commission disclosed that it is actively tracking and working to disable mirror and fallback domains linked to MovieBox.ng. The goal is to dismantle the broader digital piracy ecosystem operating under different aliases.
Public Warning Issued
The NCC issued a public advisory to Nigerians, warning against the use of unlicensed streaming platforms. Beyond legal risks, the Commission highlighted that such websites expose users to:
- Malware infections
- Financial fraud
- Identity theft
“Piracy not only robs content creators of their rights and income, but it also compromises the digital safety of users,” the NCC warned.
What the Copyright Act, 2022 Says
Under Nigeria’s Copyright Act, 2022, unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or public display of protected works — including digital content — is a criminal offense, punishable by fines and imprisonment.
