Broadcasting
Tribunal Dismisses DStv, GOtv Price Hike Case
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) has struck out a subscription price hike case instituted against MultiChoice Nigeria.
A three-member tribunal struck out the suit following a request by Festus Onifade, the claimant, to withdraw his case against MultiChoice.
Onifade who made an oral application for the withdrawal said he no longer intends to proceed with the matter.
He also expressed the view that MultiChoice would leverage the period of the court’s annual vacation to argue its appeal at the Court of Appeal and frustrate his case.
“I am abandoning this matter. I am withdrawing this case,” he said while explaining that he had filed the suit to challenge the alleged oppressive attitude of multinationals toward Nigerian consumers.
Moyosore Onigbanjo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, counsel to MultiChoice, stated that he had no objection to the claimant’s request to withdraw.
Counsel for the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) also had no objections.
The tribunal granted Onifade’s Request.
“The oral application of the claimant to withdraw this suit is hereby granted. No cost is awarded,” the tribunal ruled.
On April 29, the tribunal stopped MultiChoice from increasing its tariffs, and subscription rates pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice filed by Onifade.
A three-member tribunal had ruled in favour of Onifade by temporarily restraining MultiChoice from implementing the impending price increase scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2024,
But MultiChoice had appealed the decision and filed for a stay of proceedings.
Onigbanjo said MultiChoice had filed a preliminary objection urging the court to decline jurisdiction over the suit filed by Festus Onifade and to strike it out, arguing that a similar price dispute case had previously been decided in favour of his client.
Onifade argued that the issue before the court was whether MultiChoice Nigeria provided adequate notice regarding the May 1, 2024, TV subscription price increase, not about price regulation or increase.
In its ruling, the three-member panel chaired by Thomas Okosu dismissed MultiChoice’s preliminary objection for disobeying its interim orders and subsequently imposed a 150 million naira administrative penalty on MultiChoice, along with a one-month subscription order against the Pay TV provider.
MultiChoice has subsequently filed an appeal against the ruling, arguing that the tribunal erred in its decision.
The company also filed counter-affidavits dated July 12, 2024, providing reasons for its price hike and requesting that the tribunal dismiss the case.
In its affidavits, deposed to by Damilola Olatunji, MultiChoice explained that to mitigate the impact of the weakening exchange rate in Nigeria, it was constrained to increase its subscription prices, though it did so to the least affordable extent possible.
The company insisted that it duly notified its customers and regulatory authorities before the increment was effected.
It was stated that the defendant had already filed a notice of appeal dated June 7, 2024, and an application for a stay of execution of the tribunal’s orders made on June 7, 2024, along with a request for all further proceedings before the tribunal to be stayed pending the determination of the appeal.
Onifade urged the court to determine his case in the interest of justice.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, Onigbanjo asked the tribunal to adjourn the matter until the Court of Appeal decided on his applications.
He explained that the law dictates that when a tribunal is aware that an application is before the Court of Appeal, it must allow the Court of Appeal to decide.
On his part, Onifade said the issue of indefinite adjournment had been decided by the tribunal and could not be reopened by MultiChoice.
He said the stay of proceedings in his case must first be filed in the court where the decision was granted.
“It is only upon the refusal of that stay that the applicant can approach a higher court,” Onifade added.
“Even where an applicant approaches a higher court, that higher court must make a positive pronouncement before the proceedings of a lower court can be stayed.”
I.O. Alaba, counsel to the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), asked the tribunal to exercise its wisdom and discretion based on the arguments of both parties.
Ruling on the applications, Okosu said while MultiChoice has the right to appeal, “proper procedures must be followed by MultiChoice”.
He said MultiChoice’s legal team had not shown the special circumstances that restrained it from seeking the tribunal’s leave to suspend its proceedings.
“Whereas we agree that MultiChoice has the right to appeal on a matter before this tribunal, the proper procedures must be followed,” Okosu said.
“We have reviewed the positions of Order 6, Rule 4 of the court of appeal rules, and did not see or find any circumstances that prevented MultiChoice from filing a stay of proceedings and execution before this tribunal.
“In the circumstances, this tribunal has nothing to stay and will therefore proceed to hear and determine this matter.”
Okosu subsequently moved to adjourn the matter till November after the court’s vacation.
He said he could not disobey the tribunal’s own rule on vacation.
It was at this point that Onifade stated that he no longer intended to proceed with the matter, insisting that MultiChoice would leverage the vacation to argue its appeal at the Court of Appeal and frustrate his case.
The tribunal subsequently struck it out.
“The oral application of the claimant to withdraw this suit is hereby granted. No cost is awarded,” the tribunal ruled.
Big Larry, a popular Nollywood actor has been pronounced dead on Friday by Stanley Ontop, film producer
Big Larry
Details’ surrounding his sudden demise is yet to be known.
Big Larry’s death comes just a few weeks after the passing of another Nollywood actress, Sharon Okpamen, who died following childbirth.
Stanley Ontop his on Instagram wrote: “Breaking News: Nollywood actor Big Lary just passed away. Je nke Oma big. What caused his demise is yet to be ascertained. May your soul rest in peace Big Lary. Nollywood Asaba Mourns. Shalom!!!”
Fans and admirers of the late actor have flocked to the post’s comment section to pay tribute to him.
Consumer Advocacy & Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) hosted a one-day workshop on “Improving Access and Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Digital Financing” in Lagos.
L-R: Bunmi Adebiyi, Senior Manger, Development Finance Office, CBN; Chinonso Umeh, Head, Retail Services ,Zenith Bank; Lukeman Salami, representative of Association for the Blind; Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director, CADEF; Adeola Aina, Vice-chairman, Association for the Blind and Lovelyn Okafor, Director of Programmes and Communications, CADEF at workshop on Improving Access and Inclusion for PWDs in Digital Financing in Lagos, recently.
The event brought together government officials, financial institutions, disability organizations, and experts to discuss strategies for enhancing financial inclusion for people with disabilities.
Speaking at the workshop, Safiu Babatunde, Head of Legal Services at the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, emphasized the importance of financial inclusion for people with disabilities.
He highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing traditional and digital financial services and called for innovative solutions to address these barriers.
“Disability related obstacles affect the participation of individuals at every stage of developmental interventions intended to boost livelihoods of people,” Babatunde said.
“Key among the resources essential for enhancing the livelihood of individuals is having access to financial resources for undertaking economic activities.”
He continued, “Unfortunately over the years, traditional banks do not seem to have served people with disability related obstacles.
“Persons with disability have limited access to financial services, including traditional and alternative banking, online payment services, and financial transactions as well as mobile banking applications.”
Babatunde emphasized the need for public-private partnerships to promote financial inclusion for people with disabilities.
“This partnership can bring together government agencies, financial institutions, and disability organizations to collaborate on developing and implementing initiatives that promote financial inclusion for these concerned populations,” he said.
Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director of CADEF, underscored the organization’s commitment to advocating for the rights of marginalized groups.
She emphasized the need for inclusive financial products and services that cater to the specific needs of people with disabilities.
“CADEF has been empowering individuals with financial literacy, including those with disabilities.
“Our goal is to create inclusive financial systems that meet the needs of all Nigerians”, she said.
The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, LASODA, also called for increased public-private collaboration to address the financial barriers faced by PWDs.
General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, emphasized the need for tailored financial products and accessible services.
Oyetunde-Lawal, who was represented by Mr. Safiu Babatunde, Head of the Legal Department, urged the banking sector to be more responsive to the needs of PWDs.
Participants discussed the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing financial services, such as limited awareness of available products, inaccessible ATMs and branches, and discriminatory practices.
They also explored potential solutions, including the development of accessible mobile banking applications, financial education programs in sign language and Braille, and partnerships with disability organizations.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants agreed on the need for concerted efforts to improve financial inclusion for people with disabilities.
They pledged to work together to develop and implement practical solutions that will empower individuals with disabilities to participate fully in the financial sector.
Nigerian Institute of Public Relation’s (NIPR) governing council has announced the appointment of Rasheed Bolarinwa as the Chairman of its newly established FinanceHub Committee.
Rasheed Bolarinwa
Bolarinwa, who serves as the President of the Association of Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB), will lead the committee aimed at enhancing sustainable Public Relations practices within the banking, insurance, and pensions sectors.
Bolarinwa, currently the Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communication at Polaris Bank, brings extensive experience from journalism, public relations, and the financial sector.
Read Also: NIPR Lagos Chapter Announces Date for 11th conference, sets to discuss climate change, environment
His leadership is expected to drive significant improvements in PR practices across these financial sectors.
The FinanceHub Committee, which includes experts from banking, insurance, and pensions, is part of NIPR’s broader initiative to strengthen public relations across various sectors.
The committee’s formation aligns with NIPR’s strategy to foster sustainable and impactful PR practices in these critical areas of the economy.
In addition to Bolarinwa, NIPR has appointed other chairpersons for newly created sectoral hubs.
Mrs. Thelma Okoh will lead the Maritime Hub, Dr. Jossy Nkwocha will head the Energy Hub, and Mr. Basil Agboarumi will oversee the Aviation Hub. Dr. Ahmad Sajoh has been appointed to lead the Anti-Corruption and Consumer Protection Hub, while Miss Chimdi Neliaku will head the Young Practitioners Hub.
The appointment letters, signed by Uzoma Onyegbadue, Registrar/Secretary to the NIPR Governing Council, reflect NIPR’s commitment to enhancing public relations practices across these sectors.
NIPR Appoints Rasheed Bolarinwa as Chairman of FinanceHub Committee
At the inauguration of the new chairpersons and committee members, NIPR National President Dr. Ike Neliaku praised the appointees, highlighting their expertise and dedication.
“Your appointments are well-considered and reflect the confidence the NIPR council has in your abilities to advance the objectives of the Hub,” Neliaku stated.
He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with the new appointees and emphasized the council’s support in driving positive change in public relations practices within their respective sectors.
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