This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Ejike Ndiulo, head of Corporate Communications, Air Peace, on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to Ndiulo, the decision is necessary because NiMet is the agency responsible for issuing CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, critical for safe landings, especially during this season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
He said without these reports from the control tower, flight safety could not be guaranteed.
“As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service.
“We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling,” he said.
The staff of NiMET on Tuesday commenced an indefinite strike over the condition of service and other demands.
News
Oche Drags Nigerian Breweries to Court over Alleged IP Theft, Demands N1.5Bn
Paul Oche, an Abuja-based Nigerian, has filed a N1.5 billion suit against the Nigerian Breweries Plc over alleged intellectual theft.
Oche, in a suit filed before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is claiming a sum of N1 billion as aggravated and exemplary damages against the company for unlawfully, capriciously, maliciously and contemptuously infringing on his copyright in the intellectual literary work, titled; “The Amstel Factor; an Amstel Malta Guide on How to Be the Best You Can Be.”
In the suit instituted through Paul Ekweume, his counsel, the plaintiff is also claiming another sum of N500 million as general damages over unlawful use of his copyright.
Besides monetary demands, the plaintiff sought for an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants, their agents, servants and privies from further infringing by way of unlawful use, adaption and derivation on his copyright.
While the Nigerian Breweries PLC is the 1st defendant, DDB South Africa, Mr Samsomp Oloche and Heineken BV Netherlands are 2nd to 4th defendants respectively.
In his statement of claim, Oche averred that he authored the Amstel Factor Book as well as a proposal and power point presentation made to promote the Amstel Malta drink brand.
As part of efforts to promote the Amstel Malta brand in Nigeria, the plaintiff claimed that the brewery launched a new credential campaign sometimes in 2016 with the slogan: “Why Add More” and published it on all its social media forums, websites and bill board adverts as well as videos and graphic designs based on the campaign.
He further claimed that he spent several years engaging in various intensive academic researches and eventually gathered the necessary materials which culminated into his writing a book: “The Amstel Factor, An Amstel Malta Guide on How to Be the Best You Can Be;” a proposal and a power point designed to pictorially and graphically demonstrate his works on the electronic media, television and motion pictures.
He said that in 2015, he travelled to the breweries’ headquarter in Lagos and submitted the book and the proposal to the Brand Manager, adding that after the submissions, he waited patiently for a formal invitation by the company to deliver his campaign but was not given acknowledgement of receipt of his book.
The plaintiff said in February 2016, he visited the LinkedIn online profile of one Samson Oloche, the 3rd defendant in the suit, who at the time was the Consumer and Market Intelligence, Digital and Media Manager of the company.
He further averred that he informed the said Oloche how he submitted a proposal in 2015 to Amstel Malta Brand Manager but did not receive any response, adding that the 3rd defendant provided him with his email address, where he then forwarded the power point presentation and proposal and that he got a promise that the right person in the breweries would see and evaluate his work.
He stated that in 2016, he stumbled upon a new Amstel Malta campaign online tagged: “Why Add More.”
He added that without seeking his permission, the breweries used his literary work in the brand campaign and refused to give credit to his work.
Oche further stated that a complaint was lodged with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and that series of meetings were held during which the 3rd defendant admitted receiving Amstel Malta Brand campaign proposal and power point presentation but later claimed to have deleted the materials and that he did not submit it to the appropriate authority.
At the mention of the case on Tuesday, the plaintiff, through his counsel, Ekweume, said he filed a motion on notice for an Interlocutory Injunction, restraining the defendants from further use of his copyright in the activities of the giant brewery lined up for the year.
Although counsel to the 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants, Amina Ibrahim, said she had not been served with the motion, the claim was found to be false.
Joseph Osayande, counsel to the 2nd defendant, who admitted service of the motion on Dec. 4, asked for time to respond.
Following bitter complaint on the alleged continuous infringement of the copyright and the refusal of the respondents to admit responsibilities, Justice Nyako ordered status quo to be maintained by parties in the suit.
She noted that issues had been joined in the suit.
The judge, who directed the company to continue the sale of the already packaged branded Amstel Malta, ordered that further campaign on the new branded Amstel Malta being handled by DDV of South Africa be put on hold pending the determination of the main suit.
Justice Nyako got infuriated when Osayande, counsel to DDB of South Africa, challenged the order of status quo, prompting the judge to warn the lawyer and his client against flouting the order of the court.
“If you campaign on the subject matter of this suit, it is contempt of court.
“I will descend heavily on you as a counsel because I have warned you and have cautioned you in the open court on the consequences of prejudicing the court,” she held.
The judge adjourned the matter until Jan. 20 for hearing.
Against the backdrop of Lagos State’s proactive efforts to reform its electricity sector, the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) has launched its ‘Renew Energy Nigeria’ platform, a nationwide initiative with potential synergies for the state’s ambitious energy goals.
Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, CADEF’s Executive Director, introduced the platform in Lagos, highlighting its aim to empower Nigerians with information and access to decentralized renewable energy (DER) solutions. “The launch of this platform marks a significant step towards democratizing access to information and resources within Nigeria’s burgeoning sustainable energy sector.”
The platform’s launch comes as Lagos State, under the Lagos State Electricity Law, is actively establishing a regulatory framework and attracting private sector investment. Kamaldeen Abiodun-Balogun, General Manager of the LSEB, detailed the state’s progress in creating a functional electricity market, ensuring payment security, and addressing infrastructure challenges. “This law enabled us to create policy documents and establish regulatory agencies to initiate the implementation of the Lagos electricity market,” he explained, adding that private sector involvement will be key in areas where existing Discos face performance issues.
Segun Adaju, a private sector player deeply engaged in the energy sector, lauded Lagos State’s leadership. “In all these, Lagos State is always setting the pace. Many of us in the private sector players like myself, we are also looking up to Lagos State to set the pace,” he said, also mentioning his work on the Centralized Renewable Energy Desk for the state government.
While acknowledging national-level challenges such as import restrictions and forex fluctuations as noted by Professor Ndukwe-Okafor: “The recent federal plan on restrictions on the importation of solar products and the fluctuation of forex rate have made clean energy solutions costly”, the focus on Lagos State’s progress suggests a promising local environment for DER adoption, potentially amplified by CADEF’s new platform.
The broader socio-economic context, as highlighted by Olumide Ajayi, “Over 40% of Nigerians do not have access to reliable electricity”, underscored the importance of initiatives like ‘Renew Energy Nigeria’ and the enabling policies being implemented in states like Lagos.
Professor Ndukwe-Okafor concluded with a powerful call to action. “This platform is not an isolated intervention. It is aligned with our ideal country’s national vision, the 30-30-30 initiative. Let us not build a solar future that only serves the wealthy. Let us democratize clean energy. Let us make it local, inclusive, and scalable.”
The launch of “Renew Energy Nigeria” marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and equitable energy future for Nigeria, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to empowering its citizens. The platform is now live and accessible to all Nigerians seeking reliable and clean energy alternatives
A federal high court in Abuja has granted permission to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and detain six Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) promoters over allegations of investment fraud to the tune of over one billion dollars.
Emeka Nwite, presiding judge, gave the order following an ex parte application moved by Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the EFCC.
In the application by the EFCC, the six suspects are Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.
The commission sought an order of the court for a warrant of arrest of the defendants.
They also prayed the court for “an order remanding the defendants in the custody of the complainant/applicant pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution”.
Yusuf said that the defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the defendants for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.
In the affidavit in support of the motion, the EFCC said preliminary investigation into the intel revealed that the defendants “using their company ST Technologies International Limited, promoted another company Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) by making adverts and lured unsuspecting members of the public to invest crypto cryptocurrencies on the CBEX investment platform”.
The EFCC said the defendants promised an unrealistic return on investment of up to 100 percent.
“The victims were made to convert their digital assets into a stablecoin of USDT for onward deposit into the suspects’ crypto wallet,” Yusuf said.
“The victims were initially given full access to the platform to monitor their investment.
“Following the deposits valued at over $1 billion by the victims, the CBEX investment platform became inaccessible to them, and they could no longer withdraw from the investment made.
“The victims later discovered that the said scheme is a scam.
“During the course of investigation, it was discovered that the said ST Technologies International Limited, though registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investment purposes.
“It was also discovered during the investigation that the defendants had moved out of their last known address in Lagos and Ogun states.”
The anti-graft agency said obtaining a warrant of arrest was necessary in order to place the defendants on a watch list, enabling authorities to trace and apprehend the suspects to face the charges brought against them.
Nwite granted the request for a warrant of arrest and remand, adding that the order was necessary to enable the commission to apprehend the defendants and conclude its investigation.
“I have listened to the submission of the learned counsel for the applicant,” Nwite said.
“I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with exhibits thereto, along with the written address.
“I am of the view and I so hold that the application is meritorious.
“Consequently, the application is granted as prayed.”
Earlier in April, reports emerged that CBEX users could no longer withdraw their funds.
On Monday, angry investors stormed and looted the office of Smart Treasure (ST Team), an affiliate of CBEX, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The EFCC recently confirmed receiving multiple complaints about the platform.
Dele Oyewale, the commission spokesperson, assured affected investors that efforts were underway to recover their funds.
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