Broadcasting
TSTV Seeks Court Protection to Prevent Irreparable Business Losses in Nigeria
The legal team of Telecom Satellites Limited (TStv) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant its “restraining” requests to prevent the business from suffering irreparable losses in Nigeria, according to Nairametrics.
Bright Echefu,
This is detailed in its motion on notice marked FHC/CS/ABJ/665/2022.
The motion seeks protection from alleged further harassment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what it claims to be an investment issue with Mr. Kabiru Tanimu, former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
Applicant’s Motion
In the motion, the EFCC, Turaki, Tudu Ventures, and the Attorney General of the Federation are listed as defendants.
According to the applicant’s lawyer, Asiwaju Awomolo (SAN), his client was introduced to the ex-minister for the purpose of investing in and financing the purchase of equipment for its operations.
He submitted that, as part of the investment agreement, the ex-minister was allotted 50% of TSTV shares in his personal capacity.
He stated that Turaki was also appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees, while his children were made directors of TSTV.
He argued that based on the share transaction, it was agreed that the ex-minister should finance a portion of TSTV’s business operations.
The lawyer stated:
“By the agreement of the parties, the 3rd defendant (Turaki) paid for transmission and broadcasting equipment directly to the foreign suppliers.
“The 3rd defendant thereafter facilitated another investment to boost the operations of TSTV (the applicant) through Tudu Ventures.”
The applicant then claimed that, surprisingly, on March 4, 2021, Tudu Ventures sued TSTV at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja for the recovery of Turaki’s investment.
The lawyer submitted that following the EFCC’s intervention in 2022, its officials have since been harassing, intimidating, and bullying TSTV’s officers, requesting them to produce the investment of the ex-minister and Tudu Ventures.
“If this application is not granted, TSTV and its officials will suffer irreparable loss, and their business may be jeopardized, as the individuals summoned are key officials who run the main activities at TSTV’s headquarters in Abuja and indeed in all its branches across the Federation,” the lawyer stated, asking the court to restrain the EFCC from harassing its business.
According to TSTV, it has commercial and contractual obligations to millions of viewers worldwide on a 24-hour basis, and the EFCC’s actions could cause a permanent interruption of the applicant’s transmission activities.
Reports said that the pending case would continue when the court returned from its vacation.
More insights
While TSTV’s motion is pending, the EFCC also has a fraud-related case against it and its Managing Director, Bright Echefu, among others, before another court presided by Justice Inyang Ekwo.
Count six of the charges alleges that Echefu defrauded Mr. Tanimu, MD of Kalsiyam Global and also former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, of N380 million.
Other allegations state that the defendants allegedly contravened money laundering laws, including tax evasion, unremitted Value Added Tax (VAT), Company Income Tax, and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deducted from the salaries of 165 staff members.
Echefu, the MD of Briechberg Investment Ltd, was accused of obtaining N150 million from Mr. Turaki Kabiru Tanimu, SAN, MD of Kalsiyam Farm, with the alleged intent to defraud.
In the matter before Justice Ekwo, TSTV and its MD claim the EFCC is trying to criminalize a civil transaction it had with the ex-minister.
What you should know
TSTV, a satellite TV company launched by Echefu, was expected to challenge the monopolistic tendencies of MultiChoice, owners of DStv and GOtv in Nigeria.
Touted as the first and only fully indigenous Pay-TV operator in the country, TSTV entered the industry on October 1, 2017, with appealing offerings that raised the hopes of many Nigerians. Indeed, its decision to launch on the country’s Independence Day was seen as symbolic of a declaration of ‘freedom’ in the Pay-TV industry. However, the company disappeared after the launch.
It made a comeback on October 1, 2020, promising to offer Nigerians the best Pay-TV experience. However, its service remained intermittent, leaving subscribers who had invested in the company’s decoders with constant complaints.
TSTV completely went off the radar again in March last year and has remained so to date without any explanation to the subscribers, aside from intermittent apologies for ‘technical glitches’ during its active days.
The cases before both courts are now within their purview to determine one way or another.
Credit: Nairametrics
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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