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.
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.
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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.
The operator behind www.score808.com.ng, a website notorious for streaming MultiChoice content illegally, has been arrested by the the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Nigerian Police.
The Police said that the arrest is a significant victory against internet piracy.
This domain was allegedly infamous for illegally streaming MultiChoice (SuperSport) content, drawing millions of visits from across Africa and beyond.
According to a statement, the arrest, which took place recently, in Osogbo, Osun State, marked a major milestone in the ongoing battle against intellectual property theft and online streaming piracy.
The capture followed an extensive investigation that spanned several months.
Despite efforts to evade detection by frequently changing locations, the IRT’s relentless pursuit ensured the eventual arrest.
The suspect remains in Police custody, with substantial evidence pointing to involvement in large-scale illegal streaming activities.
If convicted, the suspect could face a prison sentence of up to five years, the statement added.
“he scale of the illegal operation is evident from the website’s traffic statistics. The domain www.score808.com.ng garnered 3.1 million visits globally, with over 1.2 million visits originating from Africa alone,” it added.
Frikkie Jonker, director of Broadcasting and Cyber Piracy at Irdeto, expressed appreciation for the Nigeria Police’s dedication and support in this operation.
He commented, “All forms of piracy continue to pose a significant threat to the creative industry. At Irdeto, we are fully committed to addressing every facet of piracy, whether it occurs online or through other means. The arrest of this notorious pirate is a testament to what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies and private sectors work hand in hand. We sincerely appreciate the Nigerian Police’s unwavering support, which has led to this positive outcome.
“Online streaming piracy is not only a criminal offense but also poses significant risks to customers. Users who access pirated content are often exposed to malware, phishing attacks, and other cybersecurity threats that can compromise their personal information. Additionally, by engaging with illegal streams, customers inadvertently contribute to the erosion of the creative industry, undermining the livelihoods of thousands of people involved in content production and distribution.
Senator Liyel Imoke, former Minister for Power and Steel, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) scheduled for October 3, 2024 in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
This is just as attendance and participation by other highly fecund speakers and panelists have been confirmed.
They comprise, among others, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Retd); the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida; a Professor of Political Science at the Federal University Lokoja, Rotimi Ajayi, and an edutainment communicator and veteran broadcaster, Ms Debrah M. Ogazuma.
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Chairman, 2024 Conference Planning Committee, Danlami Nmodu, mni, disclosed these in a press statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of GOCOP, Sir Remmy Nweke.
According to the statement, Nmodu said that Imoke would lead discussion on the theme: “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy” at the Reverton Hotel, GRA Lokoja, Kogi State on Thursday, October 3, 2024 by 10am.
Senator Imoke was at a time Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Utilities and Chairman, Presidential Committee on OMPADEC and NEPA Technical Boards.
In 2007, Senator Imoke was elected Governor of Cross River State and served his people in that capacity from 29 May 2007 to 29 May 2015.
Imoke studied Law at the University of Buckingham, England for his LLB degree in 1985, and then studied at the American University in Washington, D.C., where he gained a master’s degree in Law. He completed his legal education at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, in 1988.
He was earlier elected a Senator in 1992 and was in the National Assembly until the military incursion, following the annulment of the presidential election of June 12,1993.
He then went into private enterprise in 1993 as a Managing Consultant.
Retired Lt-General Buratai would be joined by Dr. Aminu Maida as Guest Speakers.
The statement stated that Professor Ajayi would join other panellists, including a former Commissioner in Kwara state and National Coordinator of West African Media Network (WAMNET), Ms Ogazuma.
The 2024 GOCOP conference is the 8th in the series and would be chaired by former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Yusuf Mamman.
The 2023 edition was chaired by the JAMB Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof Ishaq Olarenwaju Oloyede, while the first Nigerian Professor of Capital Market, Prof. Uchenna Joseph Uwaleke was the keynote speaker.
Previous speakers at the annual conference consisted of Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto who delivered the 2019 lecture on “Economy, Security and National Development: The Way Forward.”
In 2021, Mr. Boss Mustapha, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, keynoted the conference and spoke on: “Post Covid-19 Pandemic: Recovery and Reconstruction in Nigeria.”
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, delivered the keynote at the 2022 edition themed “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome.”
GOCOP was established to ensure that online publishers uphold the tenets of journalism.
Membership of the Guild is a constellation of editors and senior journalists who, having distinguished themselves in their various positions in the print and electronic media, ventured into online publishing which is both the present and future of journalism globally.
The Guild has over 104 corporate publishers as members.
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