The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), has successfully suspended MovieBox.ng, a website accused of illegally streaming copyrighted content, including Nigerian movies, music, and live sports.
Takedown Confirmed as Part of National Anti-Piracy Efforts
The development was confirmed in a statement released in Abuja on Thursday, July 25, 2025, by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ijeoma Egbunike.
According to the Commission’s Director-General, Dr. John Asein, the domain was taken offline on July 20, 2025, as part of the Commission’s ongoing “Stand Together Against Online Piracy (STOP)” campaign.
MovieBox.ng Linked to Multiple Piracy Networks
Dr. Asein revealed that MovieBox.ng had been operating through multiple mirror and fallback domains to distribute pirated content, evading previous takedown attempts.
“They use mirror domains and have a history linked to known piracy syndicates,” he said, stressing the coordinated effort to dismantle such networks.
He applauded NiRA for its swift response in suspending the domain and emphasized the need for internet service providers, registrars, and other intermediaries to respond quickly to takedown notices under the Copyright Act, 2022.
More Piracy Websites Under Watch
The NCC disclosed that it is currently tracking and working to disable other associated mirror sites of MovieBox.ng in a bid to break down the broader piracy network.
The commission also warned operators of similar platforms that more crackdowns are imminent.
Public Advisory on Illegal Streaming
In a public notice, the Commission cautioned users against using or promoting illegal streaming sites like MovieBox.ng.
Such websites:
- Violate copyright laws
- Expose users to cyber risks like malware, phishing, and identity theft
- Can lead to criminal prosecution under Nigerian law
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