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Tribunal Affirms MultiChoice’s Right to Increase Prices

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, affirmed the right of pay TV service provider, MultiChoice Nigeria, to fix prices for its services.

The three-member tribunal, in a unanimous ruling read by its Chairman, Thomas Okosun, also ruled that though MultiChoice occupied a dominant position in the Nigerian digital satellite television market, there is no evidence that it is abusing its position to the detriment of consumers.

The Tribunal made the assertions while delivering its judgment in the suit filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Festus Onifade, and Coalition of Nigerian Consumers against MultiChoice.

Onifade and the Coalition of Nigeria Consumers had dragged MultiChoice, the operators of DStv and GOtv platforms, to the Tribunal following announcement by the company in March 2022 that the subscription rates for the various bouquets on its platforms would go up on 1 April 2022.

In the suit in which the FCCPC is the second defendant, Onifade prayed the tribunal for an order restraining MultiChoice from increasing the subscription rates for its services and other products pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated and filed on March 30.

The claimant also asked the Tribunal to make an order directing MultiChoice to adopt pay -as- you -view subscription model for its services.

But while delivering its judgment on Tuesday, the Tribunal affirmed that Nigeria is operating a free-market economy and as such, the FCCPC or any other body cannot fix prices for services and products. The Tribunal said only the President is empowered constitutionally to fix prices for products in Nigeria under stipulated conditions, which are not available currently.

The Tribunal also rejected demand for N10million compensation by the claimants over alleged abuse they have suffered as subscribers to services of the company, ruling that the claimants did not present sufficient facts to prove that they have suffered abuse in any way as subscribers to MultiChoice services.

It, however, asked the FCCPC to investigate claims that MultiChoice is operating Pay -as- You- Go television services in its home country and other lingering issues concerning the services of the company in Nigeria within six months and get back to it.

The Tribunal had earlier dismissed a challenge by MultiChoice that it has no power to hear the suit. It also found the company guilty of contempt for going ahead to increase its subscription rates in April 2022 despite in its ruling on the ex-parte appl on 30 March directed the parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the whole suit.

Consequently, it ordered the management of MultiChoice to appear before it with the company’s audited 2021 financial report for violating its restraining order on tariff increase on 8 September.

The sanction to be imposed on the company will be based on section 51 of the CCPT Act, a corporate body is liable upon conviction for contempt of a fine not less than “N100 million or 10 per cent of its turnover in the preceding year.”


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General News

AM Best Reaffirms Stable Outlook for Cyber Insurance Market

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AM Best has reaffirmed its stable outlook for the global cyber insurance market. The rating agency notes that strong demand for cyber insurance coverage is expected to continue, supporting profitability across the sector despite intensifying competition.

Atlas Magazine reports that the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) segment presents a key growth opportunity, as many SMEs remain underinsured or lack sufficient cyber coverage.

Rising awareness of cyber threats has also led policyholders to enhance their IT security measures, helping reduce potential losses in the event of a claim.

AM Best’s outlook is further supported by several factors, including sustained capital inflows from reinsurers and alternative capital providers, the use of artificial intelligence for more effective risk selection, and favorable regulatory developments.

According to Munich Re, global cyber insurance premiums reached $15.3 billion in 2024, climbing seven per cent year-on-year.

The market is projected to grow at an average annual rate exceeding 10 per cent through 2030.

However, the industry continues to grapple with challenges such as a rise in ransomware attacks, business email compromise, and payment fraud. The growing use of AI by cybercriminals is also amplifying the scale and sophistication of such attacks.

 


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Woodhall Capital and Partners Launch ₦1.5Bn Fund

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L-R- Abimbola Ozomah, Executive Director, Polaris Bank; Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, Founder/CEO, Woodhall Capital; Sola Carrena, MD/CEO, Helios Investment; Onyinyechi Aderigbigbe, Head, Brands & Marketing, Woodhall Capital; Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner at the signing ceremony of the N1.5bn Creative Sector Fund & Launch of the Creative Currency Podcast at the weekend, Lagos
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Woodhall Capital in partnership with Polaris Bank, Lagos and UK governments have announced the launch of a ₦1.5 billion Creative Sector Fund aimed at expanding access to structured financing for creative entrepreneurs meant to scale their output across fashion, film, music, and digital content.

L-R- Abimbola Ozomah, Executive Director, Polaris Bank; Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, Founder/CEO, Woodhall Capital; Sola Carrena, MD/CEO, Helios Investment; Onyinyechi Aderigbigbe, Head, Brands & Marketing, Woodhall Capital; Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner at the signing ceremony of the N1.5bn Creative Sector Fund & Launch of the Creative Currency Podcast at the weekend, Lagos

The fund was unveiled during the launch of the Creative Currency Podcast, an initiative designed to foster collaboration between creatives, financiers, policymakers, and global stakeholders.

The platform will serve as both a podcast and policy engagement forum, tackling long-standing challenges such as limited access to finance, weak Intellectual Property(IP) enforcement, and the absence of scalable business infrastructure within the creative ecosystem.

In May 2022, Polaris Bank partnered with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) to establish a ₦1 billion funding initiative targeted at artisans in Lagos State.

The objective of the partnership was to deliver critical financial support to empower skilled artisans and entrepreneurs within the MSME sector who had maintained active business operations for at least one year ultimately fostering wealth creation and economic inclusion across the state.

At the launch event held on Thursday evening at the Ikoyi residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner, Polaris Bank’s Executive Director, Abimbola Ozomah, who sat on a panel at the launch, emphasized that the fund is a long-overdue response to the structural exclusion of creatives from formal financing systems. She described the initiative as a deliberate attempt to recognize creative endeavours, intellectual property as a bankable asset and to build a framework where creatives are treated as serious entrepreneurs capable of generating significant economic value.

“This fund represents more than capital, it reflects our belief in Nigerian creativity as a global force,” said Polaris Bank’s Executive Director, Abimbola Ozomah. “We’re not just exporting talent. We’re exporting ownership, structure, and long-term value.”

Founder and CEO of Woodhall Capital, Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, reiterated the urgent need to redefine how the financial system engages with the creative sector. She committed to providing bespoke financial products, advisory services, and investor-matching support tailored specifically for the needs of creative MSMEs.

The UK Government, through the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter, highlighted its longstanding commitment to Nigeria’s creative economy. The UK-Nigeria Creative Industries Partnership signed in 2024 was cited as a milestone in unlocking trade, investment, and collaborative opportunities between both countries. The Deputy High Commissioner praised the initiative as a blueprint for global creative cooperation.

The Lagos State Government, a key driver of the initiative, reaffirmed its ambition to cement Lagos as Africa’s creative capital. According to the Governor’s representative, Representing the Governor, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, highlighted the state’s efforts in supporting the sector through progressive policy reforms, infrastructure development, and the provision of zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million via the Lagos Creative Fund. These measures are designed to empower creatives to scale operations, access markets, and formalize their business practices.

The newly launched Creative Currency Podcast is positioned to be more than a media channel. It is a knowledge-sharing ecosystem that brings together local talents, international investors, legal experts, and cultural stakeholders to explore opportunities, identify risks, and share solutions that will elevate Nigeria’s creative industries to global standards.

Throughout the panel sessions, panelists emphasized the need for deeper structure, transparency, and professionalism in the sector. Creators were encouraged to develop clear business plans, maintain accurate financial records, formalize their operations, and assert their rights to royalties and IP protection.

As conversations deepened, financial institutions acknowledged the need for a mindset shift. Traditional risk models, they agreed, must be reimagined to reflect the unique nature of creative enterprises many of which are driven by intangible assets, flexible revenue models, and export potential.

The event concluded with a call to action: invest in the systems, not just the stories. Stakeholders were unanimous in their belief that a more structured, collaborative, and well-capitalized creative economy will deliver jobs, exports, and global relevance for Nigeria.

Polaris Bank has built a strong footprint in financing MSME by committing billions of naira in loans to support MSME operations in Nigeria, with huge lending portfolio dedicated to empower micro, small, and medium businesses meant to grow businesses, create jobs, and build wealth.


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EFCC Says Corrupt Politicians are Using Crypto Wallets to Launder Money

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Ola Olukoyede, chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has raised the alarm that some corrupt Nigerian politicians are now hiding their illicit wealth in cryptocurrencies to evade scrutiny and detection by anti-graft agencies.

EFCC Says Corrupt Politicians are Using Crypto Wallets to Launder Money

Ola Olukoyede, chairman, EFCC

The EFCC boss said the agency had uncovered a growing trend where fraudulent public officials now used cryptocurrency wallets to stash stolen public funds and conduct illicit transactions.

Olukoyede made the revelation at  an event commemorating Africa Anti-Corruption Day.

The event was held simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan, Oyo State.

Other speakers at the event lamented that Nigerians usually fell victim to crypto fraud, including the recent CBEX scam, where Nigerians lost over N1.3tn.

Olukoyede said, “Virtual asset fraud is on the rise. Our findings show that fraudulent politicians are already perfecting schemes and hiding their loot in cryptocurrencies to beat the investigative blackness of anti-corruption agencies.

“Stolen funds and unexplained wealth are being warehoused in wallets and payment for services are being done through this window,” he said.

Olukoyede warned that while the rise of virtual assets had transformed financial transactions globally, it had also created new avenues for money laundering and financial crimes.

He said, “Technology is moving at a supersonic speed around the world.

“The advent of virtual assets is a response to one of the qualities of money as a store of value like it is known in our elementary economies.”

“However, as with every progressive innovation, fraud starts to usually evolve, evolve ways of perverting their genuine purposes,” he said.

He added that the EFCC was not helpless in the face of the sophisticated schemes, noting that proactive training and intelligence sharing had enabled the commission to identify and investigate such cases.


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