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MultiChoice, HiTV Open War Chests for EPL Rights

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olusegun aganga, minister of tradde and investment
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Brace up for war! An epic battle for broadcast rights to the English Premier League (EPL) looms between the two major pay-TV operators in Nigeria – MultiChoice Nigeria, operators of DStv, and HiTV; now positioning themselves for lion shares of the rights for African continent, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can now reveal.
The EPL broadcast rights are currently divided between three pay-TV operators within the four African territories – with North Africa going to ShowTime Arabia, Nigeria going to HiTV, South Africa and the rest of Africa going to MultiChoice’s DStv.
Whoever wins the rights to air majority of the matches this time, will also win the hearts of most Nigerians crazy for the English Premier League.
In the about to end 2008/2009 season, HiTV has 80 percent of Premier League coverage in Nigeria, while MultiChoice owns rights to the other 20 percent.
The rights to majority of the live matches in the premiership are instant payoff for HiTV with a subscriber base of over 200,000 and growing. It is today one of Africa’s fastest growing direct-to-home (DTH)/pay-TV platform.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that the growth was also bolstered by the company’s subscription package priced within the reach of all classes of consumers.
Elsewhere, MultiChoice with just 20 per cent of live matches maintained its leadership of the local market with an avalanche of programmes being delivered under various service bouquets.
With another round of rights licensing around the corner, both major operators have now realized the potentials and power of EPL on subscribers and the growth of their operations, and are sparing no efforts for the majority rights.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered HiTV is pulling 11 other pay-TV operators in Africa in a consortium to acquire the broadcast rights to EPL. They are Yes TV, Star TV, Total Access, Skyy Media, Kiss FM, Zuku TV, VOX Africa, Next Generation Broadcasting, Imanle Africa, and several former GTV representatives.
The move will spearhead the development of a continent-wide technology and content backbone to allow individual countries in Africa to develop their own independent broadcasting market and tailor their solution (cost, content, language) to meet the demands of regional viewers.
Toyin Subair, managing director and CEO of HiTV, says: “The English Premier League draws more African viewers than any other genre of programming.”
MultiChoice however, is counting on its rich experience and tradition of excellent programming, and is going into the bid with the financial muscle of its South African based mother company.
Joseph Hundah, managing director, MultiChoice Nigeria, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek in an interview that they would not rest until they regain the broadcast rights to EPL.
“We are going to bid for EPL rights as high as we possibly could. It is always regretful to lose any content you have, and we are certainly not going to leave any stone unturned in acquiring those rights back,” he said.

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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£15bn Petro Union Fraud: AGF Defends Nigeria’s Wealth at Supreme Court

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In a significant move to safeguard Nigeria from potential fraud, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has led a team of senior lawyers to represent the Federal Government at a Supreme Court hearing over the Petro Union Oil and Gas Limited case.

The development marks the first time the Federal Government was represented at such a high level since the little-known company secured a judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja for £2.556 billion.

However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had concluded in its investigation report that Petro Union obtained the judgment by allegedly using a Barclays Bank UK cheque to draw from an account closed five years before it was presented.

The anti-graft agency’s finding led to the ongoing prosecution of the oil company’s directors before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The directors, Prince Kingsley Okpala, Prince Chidi Okpalaeze, Prince Emmanuel Okpalaeze, and Abayomi Kukoyi (trading as Gladstone Kukoyi & Associates), are facing a 13-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, and fraud before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

Chief Fagbemi’s appearance in the controversial case is particularly notable because it demonstrates the Federal Government’s resolve to fight the March 11, 2014, court order, which directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Union Bank of Nigeria, the Minister of Finance, and the Attorney-General to jointly pay Petro Union the judgment amount along with 15 per cent interest per annum.

During the March 17, 2025 proceedings, Chief Fagbemi led a team of lawyers, including Mohammed Gazali (SAN), a Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, and other lawyers representing the Federal Government and its agencies.

Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) led the legal team for Union Bank, while the CBN’s legal representation was headed by Damian Dodo (SAN) alongside Mrs. Olabisi Soyebo (SAN) and others.

Chief Awomolo argued an application to amend the Notice of Appeal by adding eight additional Grounds of Appeal.

While the AGF and the CBN’s lawyers supported the motion, Petro Union’s legal team opposed it.

After listening to arguments on the matter from the lawyers, the Supreme Court reserved its ruling for a later date to be communicated to the parties.

The judgment sum against the Federal Government, CBN, and Union Bank now stands at over £15 billion, including interest—exceeding 50% of Nigeria’s foreign reserves.

Legal experts have compared this situation to the infamous $10 billion Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) case.

The troubling events leading to this judgment began in 1994 when Petro Union allegedly fraudulently obtained a cheque worth £2.556 billion from a Barclays Bank branch in the UK.

The company presented this cheque at a Union Bank branch in Lagos, claiming it was for a contract related to refinery construction and the establishment of a bank.

Subsequent investigations by the CBN and Union Bank unveiled that the cheque, dated December 29, 1994, and drawn in favour of Gladstone Kukoyi & Associates, was confirmed by Barclays Bank to be counterfeit.

Barclays Bank had also indicated that Gazeaft Limited, the issuer of the bill of exchange, did not have an account with them and was not listed as a registered company in the UK.

Despite these findings, Petro Union and its agents persisted in their claims that Union Bank had received £2,556,000,000.00 on their behalf and had transferred £2,159,221,318.54 to the CBN while retaining £396,778,681.46. This led to court actions against the CBN and Union Bank based on these dubious claims.

In a concerning development, Petro Union managed to secure a judgment by presenting an alleged statement of account from the CBN, neglecting the fact that a Central Bank serves as a banker to the government and banks, not to individual companies or persons.

Following these proceedings, both the CBN and Union Bank filed appeals to overturn the judgment, particularly as evidence of fraudulent motives began to emerge during the ongoing criminal prosecution of Petro Union and its executives at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Additionally, information already presented to the Supreme Court suggests that Petro Union may have obtained the judgments at lower courts by allegedly providing evidence that appears to be based on falsehoods, forgery, misrepresentation of facts, and concealment.

Given Nigeria’s increasing debt profile, many observers are alarmed by the prospect of this additional £15 billion ‘debt’ looming over the nation. They are looking to the Supreme Court to deliver justice in this complex matter.


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Tinubu Congratulates Osakwe, Nigerian on Winning UK Top Cyber Security Award

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Dr Fene Osakwe
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President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr Fene Osakwe on winning the Cyber Personality of the Year award at the 2025 Cyber Security Awards in the UK.

Tinubu Congratulates Osakwe, Nigerian on Winning UK Top Cyber Security Award

Dr Fene Osakwe

According to Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President in a statement, Dr Osakwe is the chairman of the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Board and the first African to win in the Cyber Security Awards category.

He was recognised for his exceptional leadership, advocacy, and expertise in cybersecurity and data privacy, clinching the prize ahead of other finalists from the United States, the UAE, Qatar, the Netherlands, and the UK.

President Tinubu celebrates Dr Osakwe’s achievements, underscoring his immense contributions to cybersecurity and his efforts to evolve new horizons in the field.

The President described the 2025 Cyber Personality of the Year as an exceptional Nigerian and a worthy representation of Nigeria’s talented, innovative, and pace-setting youth.

While extolling the youth as Nigeria’s greatest asset, President Tinubu stated that Dr Osakwe’s nomination and subsequent win foreground the global impact of young African professionals in cybersecurity.

The President wished Dr Osakwe more success in his endeavours.


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Insight Publicis Announces Resignation from Airtel Nigeria Account

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Insight Publicis, one of Nigeria’s leading integrated marketing communications agencies, has announced its decision to resign from the Airtel Nigeria account, effective immediately.

Insight Publicis Announces Resignation from Airtel Nigeria Account

This decision follows an extensive evaluation of the engagement, during which both parties were unable to reach an agreement on terms that appropriately reflect the scope of work and the value Insight Publicis brings to the partnership.

While both organizations hold each other in high regard, the agency remains committed to engagements that align with its strategic priorities and industry benchmarks.

Speaking on this, Dolapo Ogunbambo, chief operating officer of Insight Publicis, said “Our commitment to excellence necessitates that we engage in partnerships where there is mutual alignment on value creation and strategic objectives.

“We have valued our association with Airtel Nigeria and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.”

Insight Publicis will ensure a seamless transition and remains focused on delivering exceptional marketing solutions to its diverse clientele across various industries. She said.

Founded in 1979, Insight Publicis is a pioneer in Nigeria’s marketing communications landscape, offering a full suite of services, including brand strategy, multimedia creative solutions, digital marketing, and consultancy. As part of the global Publicis Groupe, Insight Publicis combines deep local expertise with international insights to drive impactful brand storytelling and business growth.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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