Broadcasting
Lai Mohammed, Ex-Minister to Testify in N2.5Bn DSO Project Trial
Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted an application to list Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former minister of Information and Culture, , as prosecution witness in a trial of alleged misapplication of N2.5 billion Federal Government Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme.
Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa granted the application by the prosecution, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), following the withdrawal of the objection earlier raised by the defendants.
ICPC is prosecuting the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Ishaq Kawu in the court for alleged abuse of office and money laundering.
The Commission had filed a 12-count charge against Kawu, Lucky Omoluwa and Dipo Onifade, the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Pinnacle Communications Limited respectively.
After calling two witnesses, the ICPC filed the application seeking to add the former minister and Shuaibu Sabo, a Bureau de Change operator, as additional witnesses in the trial.
Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), counsel to Omoluwa and Onifade, had filed a motion prohibiting the prosecution from listing Mohammed and Sabo as additional witnesses.
At the resumed hearing of the trial on Thursday, Mr Abayomi Oyelola, who held the brief of Iziyon, said they were withdrawing the motion opposing the list of additional witnesses by the ICPC.
Justice Oginbanjo-Giwa thereafter struck out the motion by the defendants.
The judge has also granted the applications by the defendants seeking the release of their international passports to enable them travel abroad for official functions.
The court’s decision was also sequel to the withdrawal of the counter affidavit of the ICPC challenging the release of the travelling documents.
ICPC lawyer, E. A. Shogunle, said he was withdrawing the counter affidavit because the period the applicants would be travelling fell within the court’s vacation.
The lawyer also informed the court that the prosecution had complied with the directive of the court to verify the addresses of the sureties to the second and third defendants as given in the bail bonds and filed same.
Shogunle however said the prosecution could not verify the address of the surety to the first defendant (Kawu) because there was an error in the house number provided in the bail bond.
He said the lawyer to the first defendant would have to correct the error in the house address at the court registry before he could file a verifying affidavit.
The judge, however, held that since the prosecution had withdrawn the counter affidavit to the motion, the travel documents of all the defendants should be released to them.
She ordered that the defendants should be given their international passports in the custody of the Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) and be allowed to travel within the time they stipulated in their motions
The judge, however, ordered that the defendants should return the travelling documents to the custody of the DCR upon their return not later than September 25.
She directed the sureties to the defendants to swear respective affidavit to the effect that they would surrender themselves for trial in case the defendants abscond.
Specifically, she said the sureties would take the place of the defendants and would remain in detention until the defendants surrender themselves for trial.
Justice Oginbanjo-Giwa adjourned the case until October 2 for continuation of hearing
TVC News has broken new ground in Nigeria’s media space with the launch of the country’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) news presenters.
Rolled out in May 2025, the AI anchors will deliver news bulletins in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Pidgin, reflecting the broadcaster’s commitment to technological advancement and linguistic inclusion.
The initiative is designed to enhance news delivery by supporting human journalists, not replacing them.
TVC Communications, the parent company of TVC News, described the development as a milestone in its efforts to integrate cutting-edge technology into broadcast journalism.
“We are thrilled to pioneer this innovation in Nigeria’s media industry,” said Victoria Ajayi, chief executive officer, TVC Communications.
“Our AI news anchors represent a new era in news reporting, and this move underscores our dedication to using technology as a tool for growth and progress.”
Ajayi clarified that the AI-generated content will undergo thorough editorial review.
“Trained journalists and editors will assess every output to ensure it meets our standards of accuracy, balance, and credibility,” she noted.
In response to concerns about the potential misuse of AI, the organisation said it had established rigorous editorial safeguards, including watermarking and verification protocols. It also reaffirmed its adherence to the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and journalistic ethics.
With this launch, TVC News has become a trailblazer in AI-assisted journalism in Africa, setting a bold example for future media innovation across the continent.
FXTM Academy recently hosted the Pedal for Progress charity cycling event, bringing together 200 participants from cities across Nigeria, including Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Lagos.
Held on Saturday, April 19, the competition featured six race categories—Professional Male, Professional Female, Junior Male, Junior Female, Veteran Male, and Veteran Female—allowing cyclists of all skill levels to compete.
The race began at 8:00 a.m., with Juniors completing 10 laps, Veterans tackling 14 laps, and Professionals racing 20 laps, each lap spanning 2.8 kilometers.
Participants competed for significant cash prizes, with winners in the Professional categories receiving ₦800,000, ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000, while those finishing 5th to 15th place earned ₦50,000 each. Junior and Veteran winners also received substantial rewards.
Spectators and participants praised FXTM Academy for fostering unity, sportsmanship, and talent development, with many eagerly anticipating future events.
The academy emphasized its commitment to empowering communities and promoting values such as perseverance, discipline, endurance, and continuous improvement.
FXTM Academy’s Country Representative, Kelechi Ehibudu, highlighted the academy’s dedication to blending sport, charity, and empowerment, setting a new benchmark for community-focused initiatives in Nigeria.
Broadcasting
Davido Unites Superfans in Lagos for Exclusive 5IVE Album Experience, Powered by Spotify
To celebrate the release of his fifth studio album, 5IVE Davido hosted a select group of superfans and media at Ona Restaurant in Lagos for an exclusive meet-and-greet, presented by Spotify.
The event offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Afrobeats superstar, with 50 lucky fans and 5 media partners given the chance to connect with the artist in an intimate setting.
Rather than handing out invitations, Spotify put fans to the test, requiring them to pass a five-question quiz on Davido’s music to earn a spot at the roundtable. Once inside, attendees were treated to an afternoon of music, conversation, and surprises. The event was hosted by Ireculture, who set the tone with her infectious energy, while SmallztheDJ kept the vibe going with smooth, Afrobeats-driven selections.
In true Davido fashion, a playful twist took centre stage: after teasing his absence, the artist made a dramatic, surprise entrance, sending fans into a frenzy. The moment was a perfect reflection of Davido’s personality – engaging, unpredictable, and larger-than-life.
Victor Okapala, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships lead for West Africa, noted, “This event is a testament to the power of music to bring fans and artists closer together. Working with Davido on the release of 5IVE highlights the energy surrounding Afrobeats globally, and the deep connection we see between the artist and his fans.”
The event’s highlight was a close-knit roundtable conversation, where fans shared their love for 5IVE, with “10 Kilo” emerging as an early favourite. Each guest left with a gift box featuring five fashion items from Nigerian streetwear brand Severe Nature, who also designed the official 5IVE merch.
Reflecting on his journey, Davido shared, “When you see artists like Beyoncé, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Rihanna, you realise the work it takes to get there. This time, I wanted to go all out, and I’m seeing the results.”
Spotify data underscores Davido’s growing global influence. In the past 12 months, his music has been added to over 12 million playlists worldwide.
The artist’s reach spans key markets including Nigeria, the U.S., U.K., South Africa, and France, with 34% of his listeners aged 18-24 and 41% aged 25-34.
As 5IVE continues to captivate listeners, this intimate event further solidified Davido’s position as one of Afrobeats’ leading voices, fostering a deeper connection between him and his dedicated fanbase.
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