TheNewsGuru

Tag: DSTV

  • Court stops Multichoice from increasing tarrif of DSTV, GOTV from May 1st

    Court stops Multichoice from increasing tarrif of DSTV, GOTV from May 1st

    Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of Dstv and GOtv has been stopped by from increasing their tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1 Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja, on Monday.

    The tribunal, chaired  by Saratu Shafii, gave the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade.

    The tribunal, in a ruling, restrained Multi-Choice from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.

    The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” Shafii declared.

    She, therefore, directed all parties in the suit to appear before the tribunal on May 7 at 10am for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    Onifade, in the suit marked: CCPT/OP/2/2024, had dragged Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the tribunal.

    In the suit filed on April 29, Onifade, also a legal practitioner, sought two orders.

    These include, “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant, whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    “An order restraining the 1st defendant from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

    Other members of the tribunal include Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu.

  • BREAKING: FCCPC vows to review fresh price hike of DStv, GOtv packages

    BREAKING: FCCPC vows to review fresh price hike of DStv, GOtv packages

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says the recent price increases in MultiChoice cable subscriptions will be reviewed by relevant stakeholders to ensure subscribers in Nigeria get value for their money.

    The Acting CEO of FCCPC, Adamu Abdullahi, spoke to Channels Television on its Dateline Abuja programme on Thursday.

    During the interview, he provided an update on the summons issued to the owner of a Chinese store in Abuja accused of discriminatory and sharp practices.

    He also commented on the adherence to the order given to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, stating that sanctions are imminent for all verified infractions identified by the agency.

    Thenewsguru.com on Wednesday reported that  MultiChoic increased its DSTV and GOtv packages, saying the increase was necessitated by the rise in the cost of business operations.

    According to the company, the increment would take effect on May 1, 2024.

    The Premium package on DSTV which used to cost N29,500, would now go for N37,000, while the Compact Plus which currently goes for N19,800, has been increased to N25,000.

  • MultiChoice implements price adjustments on DStv, GOtv packages

    MultiChoice implements price adjustments on DStv, GOtv packages

    MultiChoice Nigeria has released new adjusted prices for both Dstv and Gotv packages, with effect from 1st May 2024.

    Premium, N37000, Compact + N25,000, Compact, N15,700, Confam, N9,300 Yanga N5100 Padi N3600, HDPVR Access Service N5000, Accesss Fees N5000, Extra view 5000 .

    While GOtv subscribers will have this New Price package. Supa + N15,700, Supa N9,600, Max N7, 200, Jolli, N4,850, Jinja N 3,300, Smallie N1,575.

    A statement made available to thenewsguru.ng stated that the rise in the cost of business operations, has led to make the difficult decision.

    “We understand the impact this change may have on you – our valued customer, but the rise in the cost of business operations, has led us to make this difficult decision. ”It remains our mission to provide the best entertainment and viewing experience to you and are committed to continue to deliver high-quality content and unparalleled service”.

  • A DStv package for the new NBC boss – By Okoh Aihe

    A DStv package for the new NBC boss – By Okoh Aihe

    While the new Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, savoured the opportunity provided by Africast to introduce himself beyond the shores of this nation, penultimate week, another package awaited him in the office. Not palatable at all.

    Without a moment of grace period whatsoever, frontline pay TV service provider, Multichoice Nigeria, announced an increase in the cost of its various programme bouquets because of the prevailing economic situation in the country, effective November 6, 2023.

    From the premium package to the most pocket-friendly package, the cost ran through, leaving their DSTV subscribers most confused and even very indignant. For instance, the premium bouquets jumped from N24,500 to N29,500, Compact+ from N16,600 to N19,800, while the price of GOtv Jinja bouquet have climbed from N2,250 to N2,700 even as GOtv Lite customers will still pay as little as N1,300, up from N1,100. For those with Explorer, the extra view will attract N4,000 instead of N3,400. No package was unaffected indeed!

    This is the second time in a year. The first was on May 1, 2023.

    Nobody at this time will want to be in Ebuebu’s shoes at all. While Africast focussed on the business of broadcasting, with the communique actually encouraging African broadcast operators to build continental relationships and deploy modern technologies that could help reduce cost, the business decision by Multichoice would really be the first major challenge that Ebuebu would have to deal with.

    The new DG will have to bear the anger and the red face of the various stakeholders. The subscribers would curse the inaction of a regulator that is compromised. That is always the easiest thing to say. Demonisation without proof.

    The National Assembly would send multiple summons for Ebuebu to appear before them and explain why DSTV would dare increase rates under his watch. I do not envy his shoes right now because this would be a very busy period for the new boss and his Commission, spiced by a frenetic level of recriminations and multilayer engagements with the hope of resolving a very serious problem.

    Yes. A very serious problem. Perhaps more serious than the Electoral Act that was haphazardly passed by the National Assembly and then abused and misapplied by INEC, whose head nobody has held for incompetence and fatalistic failure in previous elections, including the off-season elections of last weekend.

    This writer has been informed that the NBC has visited the National Assembly in respect of the increase in DSTV subscription rates. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has also stepped in and would be fighting for consumer protection without thinking of the escalating cost of doing business in Nigeria. It is a serious matter that needs urgent attention. More serious than the cost of petrol that has moved from about N617 to over N640 and N700 depending upon your location in parts of the country.

    Nigeria is up in stilts, struggling for survival and the people are raging over the cost of television bouquet which has nothing to do with the cost of food all over the country; in fact, which has no relationship with lots of people slipping into multidimensional poverty as a result of unreasoned government policies.

    The stakeholders that gathered for Africast in Lagos noted that broadcasting was expensive. Part of their suggestions to mitigate the cost are as follows: ‘’Africans should reduce their reliance on foreign digital platforms and develop home-grown solutions for monetisation and distribution of content.

    ‘’Broadband infrastructure is not available in Africa. Governments at every level should come together to grant incentives such as tax and financial incentives to telecom operators to encourage them to provide cheap data.’’

    That is in the long term. In the immediate, Multichoice Nigeria is fighting for life like other businesses in the country. “We understand the impact this change may have on our valued customers and partners, but the rise in the cost of business operations has led us to make this difficult decision,” the organisation said.

    The bad news is that the coming of over-the-top (OTT) operators like Netflix has put Multichoice under pressure across the continent. The failing economy has only complicated matters.

    For instance, although the annual performance ended in March this year, with an addition of 1.6m subscribers, the organisation still made a troubling loss in its South Africa operations. The troubled economies of the various markets of operation has also increased the pressure on Multichoice, making desperate decisions like the recent subscription price increase in Nigeria, a survival imperative.

    The good news is that Multichoice, like so many others, hasn’t decided to bail out of the country. Those who say it is not possible because of the money being made in Nigeria should search out a list of the companies that have left Nigeria in recent years.

    An abbreviated list includes: Michelin, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Proctor and Gamble (P&G), Shoprite, Mr Price, Etisalat, Surest Foam Limited, Deli Foods and MZM Continental. These are no good signs at all. In August this year, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) raised a cry that in spite of the heavy population of the country, corporate organisations were taking a flight because of the high cost of doing business and lack of basic infrastructure, including electricity.

    DSTV dwells in the realm of conspicuous consumption, a menu designed for the rich guys in the society who would want to flip their remote to watch CNN or the latest movie flick from Hollywood. For them, Nollywood cannot satiate their voluble entertainment appetite. Instead there has to be a rich mix, the sort prepared by DSTV which, fortunately, actually has packages for the rich and those ailing for a living in our heartless society.

    The regulator has issued so many licences for pay TV operations in recent years but the economy buried them all. And the few ones still operating offer little attraction or worthy alternatives to titillate any subscribers’ entertainment instincts. So, they are right down there struggling for corporate existence.

    Does Multichoice as a business has the right to increase subscription rates? Absolutely yes. Can the NBC regulate or fix prices? The answer is no. Check all the books, including the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11 and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Nothing supports the NBC to fix subscription rates or trouble any operator for deciding to do so. Yet, the National Assembly will pressure the NBC to do something to the delight of the subscribers who really would not want to pay for anything.

    But here is a reality check. Multichoice runs a business and has considerable investment in Nigeria. Most of its operations are denominated in Dollars, whether in paying for content, hardware or even satellite space. And without exaggeration, the Dollar which goes for over N1000 is more precious than gold, as the local folks would say. This puts a lot of pressure on a number of organisations doing business in Nigeria; Multichoice has only responded.

    What then should be done? A conversation between the various stakeholders is very necessary at this point in time to achieve some level of persuasion and not coercion. Ebuebu has promised to excite the broadcast environment and make it attractive for operators to do business. Such action has become very urgent.

    This government should forget all obnoxious estimation of the country and begin to fix the business environment which has eaten up so many corporate organisations. The manufacturers are complaining. The international airlines say their funds of over $800m are held down. Telcos are struggling to survive. The Naira has lost the battle against the Dollar and the citizenry are struggling against hyperinflation that has made living a nightmare in their own country. The government should do something urgently. After all, the campaigns are over. This now is reality. People and businesses are seeking the best from a government that promised renewed hope.

    Multichoice didn’t commit any crime but may yet be persuaded to temper their expectations.

  • Uproar as MultiChoice hikes DStv, GOtv subscription rates

    Uproar as MultiChoice hikes DStv, GOtv subscription rates

    Nigerians have flayed MultiChoice as reactions continue to trail the recent hike in the subscription rates of DStv and GOtv.

    Recall that Multichoice recently announced that a new price bouquet will take effect from November 6, thereby giving a very short notice.

    The new hike, which MultiChoice is implementing from Monday, is about 20 per cent and will be the third time the South African firm would increase its price in 2023.

    The firm via a letter on November 1 and addressed to partners, reads “On Monday, November 6, 2023, we will adjust our prices across all our packages on DStv and GOtv.

    “We understand the impact this challenge may have on our valued customers and partners, but the rise in the cost of business operations, had led us to make this difficult decision.

    “It remains our mission to provide the best entertainment and viewing experience to our valued customers and are committed to continue to deliver high-quality content and unparalleled service to our customers.”

    In the new price list, for DStv, Premium bouquet, the price moved from N24,500 to N29,500; Compact+, from N16,600 to N19,800; Compact, from N10,500 to N12,500; Confam, from N6,200 to N7,400, among others.

    For GOtv users, Supa+ increased from N10,500 to N12, 500; Supa moved from N6400 to N7,600; Max from N4850 to N5,700; Jolli, from N3,300 to N3,950, among others.

    An official of MultiChoice, who spoke on anonymity, neither confirmed nor denied the planned tariff hike. She said, “I cannot say yes or no to the plan. But you know the situation of things in Nigeria, how the cost of doing business continues to go up without showing any plans to abate.”

    However, some subscribers already claimed to have received an SMS from MultiChoice on Wednesday, alerting them to the planned increases in subscription fees.

    While blaming the rise in the cost of doing business in Nigeria, MultiChoice had in March 31, 2023, its financial year end, reported that it generated N277 billion (ZAR9.1 billion) in subscriptions.

    By implication, the company’s revenue witnessed a 29 per cent growth compared to the N177.5 billion (ZAR7.1 billion) recorded in the previous year. This contributed very significantly to the Multichoice Group’s overall revenue growth of seven per cent, amounting to ZAR59.1 billion.

    The Group had stated: “Notwithstanding liquidity constraints in Nigeria, the group managed to extract $235 million (FY22:$240m) at an average rate of NGN684:$ (FY22: NGN553:USD) during the year. Cash holdings of ZAR1.9 billion (FY22: ZAR2.3bn) held in Nigeria remain exposed to weaker currencies.”

    In its yearly results for 2022, MultiChoice group added 900,000 90-day active subscribers to close the year with 21.8 million subscribers, an increase of five per cent year-on-year (YoY). The 90-day subscriber base comprises 12.8 million households (59 per cent) in the Rest of Africa and nine million households (41 per cent) in South Africa.

    However,  the President of Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS), Sina Bilesanmi, has called for boycott of both DStv and GOtv by subscribers in Nigeria, stressing that the hike is exploitative in nature.

    In his interview with journalists he said that it was the fourth time the operators would effect price hikes in 2023 in Nigeria.

    “I cannot believe this is happening at this time. The brand is just exploiting the Nigerian market, all because no alternative yet! I will employ all Nigerians to boycott both DStv and GOtv services. I also call on President Tinubu, the National Assembly to step in and save Nigerians from this exploitation,” he stated.

    According to him, ACTIS met President Tinubu in August and demanded his intervention by asking these operators to give customers Pay Per View, “he said we should give him time then. But I think the time is now for the entire country to rise against this exploitation by MultiChoice.”

    According to him, the association has written about 20 letters since 2020 to Multichoice on Pay Per View and other issues in the industry, but is yet to respond to them.

  • BREAKING: DStv forced to withdraw service in Malawi

    BREAKING: DStv forced to withdraw service in Malawi

    MultiChoice Africa Holdings B.V (MAH) has been forced to withdraw DStv service in the southeastern African country of Malawi with immediate effect.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports MultiChoice had intended to hike DStv tariffs in the southeastern African country.

    However, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) prohibited the adjustment to the DStv tariffs.

    This followed an injunction issued by a High Court in Lilongwe in a matter between MultiChoice Malawi (MCM) and MACRA.

    In a statement, customers have hitherto advised with immediate effect to halt payment for the DStv service.

    “Customers who have already paid their new subscription for the DStv service will have those services honoured until the current 30-day viewing cycle ends on or before 10 September 2023,” the statement reads.

    According to the statement, from Wednesday, 9 August 2023, no new subscriptions or reconnections will be accepted.

    The statement reads in full: “MultiChoice Africa Holdings B.V (MAH) regrettably notifies DStv subscribers of its withdrawal of services from Malawi with immediate effect.

    “This follows the injunction issued by the High Court in Lilongwe in a matter between MultiChoice Malawi (MCM) and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) prohibiting an adjustment to the DStv tariffs.

    “MCM does not offer the DStv service to the public and therefore cannot set or adjust tariffs for this service, a point repeatedly made to MACRA.

    “As a result, the order handed down to MCM is incapable of being implemented by them but carries with it grave consequences for the directors and management of MultiChoice Malawi, including imprisonment.

    “MAH given the impact on its supplier (MCM) and an increasingly adverse regulatory environment is therefore left with no option but to terminate the DStv service indefinitely.

    “Customers are hereby, and with immediate effect, requested to halt payment for the DStv service.

    “Customers who have already paid their new subscription for the DStv service will have those services honoured until the current 30-day viewing cycle ends on or before 10 September 2023.

    “From Wednesday, 9 August 2023, no new subscriptions or reconnections will be accepted.

    “MAH would like to thank customers for their support over many years. MAH would also like to thank MCM for their professional conduct in supplying services to MAH over as many years”.

  • NANS issues seven-day ultimatum to Multichoice Nigeria to reverse hike in price

    NANS issues seven-day ultimatum to Multichoice Nigeria to reverse hike in price

    A seven-day ultimatum has been issued by the National Association of Nigerian Students, South-west Zone, to MultiChoice Nigeria to reverse its planned hike on DSTV and GOTV subscription rates or face the consequences.

     

    The student body made this known via a statement on Tuesday, signed by its Coordinator, Adejuwon Olatunji, Deputy Coordinator, Alao John, and Public Relations Officer, Opeoluwa Awoyinfa

    Recall that MultiChoice had announced an upward review of prices on its DSTV and GOTV packages by 17 per cent, in text messages sent to its subscribers. It stated that the new rates would take effect on May 1, 2023, explaining that rising costs of business operations was the reason behind the increase.

    Reacting to the hike in price, NANS said the South African company was bringing hardship on, and extorting Nigerians, without considering their standard of living.

    It also noted that tariffs should be charged on a “pay as you view” basis.

    The NANS statement reads in part “Today, we are aware that Multi Choice Digital Satellite has increased its tariffs without considering the standard of living of Nigerians. We have also waited for long to see if this same company will dance to the music of Nigerians who have been clamouring for ‘pay-as-you-view’ tariff, but the reverse is the case.

    “This is the time to call on National Broadcasting Commission to go back to the Commission’s act to regulate the ownership, activities and operations of Direct Broadcast Satellite Service Providers. DSTV is one of the leading direct-to-home service providers in Nigeria since its inception of operation from as far back as 1995, and has also made a lot of profit with over 25 million subscribers which is the largest market for its operations.

  • For broadcasting, an early celebration of the death of monopoly – By Okoh Aihe

    For broadcasting, an early celebration of the death of monopoly – By Okoh Aihe

    In moments of soaring confusion, some salient but very troubling issues may just develop unnoticed. Life goes on while those issues could build into a broth that could trouble the body in future. Especially in businesses where every Naira invested is of major interest to the investor, such things could either help the image of the business environment or deter investors to scram with their funds.

    As Nigerians waded through the flood in recent months, slept on the road for days while trying to connect one part of the country to another, or stay overnight at the filling stations, especially for those who live in Abuja, a small story sprouted out of Rivers State and has gained traction in Abuja, of which a final denouement could reverberate into the future of broadcast businesses across the nation.

    Standing on the pillars of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, a small broadcast operator in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, Metro-Digital, initiated a David versus Goliath fight, when it took Multichoice to court with a prayer that the biggest pay TV operator in Africa, sub-license some of its channels to the Port Harcourt broadcaster.

    Quite innocuous. So it seems. But the wheel of justice grinds slowly and the patient one would usually take the fat bone arising from such an odyssey.

    On July 13, 2022, an Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, ordered the broadcast regulator, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to address the programming sublicensing complaint filed against Multichoice Nigeria Limited by Metro-Digital Limited, by bringing the disputing parties to the round table.

    In setting aside the judgment of the lower court, the Appeal Court gave the following consequential order: 

    “An order of mandatory injunction is issued to compel the 2nd respondent to issue directives on the appellant’s complaint against the 1st respondent pursuant to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, 6th Edition (as amended). The 2nd respondent shall initiate the process for the determination of the dispute between the appellant and the 1st respondent within 21 days of the date of this judgment, under the auspices of the NBC Act, the 6th Edition of the NBC Code and its addendum.”

    This was my observation on this development on July 27, 2022. “For me, the broadcasting industry is getting very interesting as the resolution of this case could go a long way to determine how business is done in the industry. It will affect the depth of competition. It will affect content development and ownership. It will teach us to watch out for mischief and act very spontaneously once a document is being done, and some smart fellows are throwing in some hidden traps. In fact it will add some accoutrement to the definition of deregulation in the business dictionary.”

    Dear friends, we are there right now. The regulator did not act within the window given, until it was goaded into action, this writer has gathered. Instead of calling a round table meeting between the disputing parties, the regulator with just put under some subtle pressure, has issued a directive to Multichoice to sublicense its channels to a competitor in the industry.

    Now the other party is over the moon, and those around are trying to restrain his flight or at least constrain him to the reality of the earth. Such is the victory that can be so sweet but sometimes not too far away from ashes in the mouth.

    Part of the NBC letter addressed to the leadership of Multichoice, Nigeria, reads: “You are hereby directed to comply with the 6th Edition of the NBC Code as amended pursuant to Metro-Digital’s request for channel sublicensing as ordered by the Federal Court of Appeal.”

    According to reports, Chief Executive of Metro-Digital, Dr Ifeanyi Nwafor, is overjoyed that the regulator has finally agreed with the court order and has equally expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, especially the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and the judiciary.

    “We are glad to announce today that NBC has complied with the order of the court. The end of monopoly in the Nigerian broadcasting industry will enhance competition, innovation and quality of service delivery. The industry will enjoy rapid growth and consumers will benefit from competitive pricing that follows,” he was quoted to have said.

    You really have to accommodate the excitement of Dr Nwafor and really encourage him to pitch his tent close to reality. Some contents of the Code really gave his spirits verve. For instance, Chapter 6 of the Code focuses on Sports Rights, Acquisition, and, in fact, how an owner should treat his own products apropos the attitude of competitors in the market.

    For instance, the Code says in 6.2.5: To ensure fair and effective competition to all platforms at an agreed fee, rights owner, operators or exclusive licenses to Live Foreign Sporting Events shall offer rights to Broadcasters on the different platforms inclusive but not restricted to the platforms stated below – Satellite (DTH), Multipoint Microwave Distribution System (MMDS), Cable (Fibre Optics), DTT(Terrestrial), Internet, Mobile, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and Radio.

    The only problem however, is that there is no closure on this case yet as Multichoice has proceeded to the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, asking for relief and protection. I have no knowledge to ask whether the action of the regulator in issuing that directive is fit and proper. Such conjecture belongs to the learned ones in our midst but I can hint here that the journey ahead may be long, windy and rough.

    The only other intervening factor here is that sublicensing will be subject to a business decision between owners of contents, including sports, and those who want to be sublicensed. It may interest you that content owners may not want to sell at a loss no matter the content of the Code. It is first a business before those who hide behind patriotism to take what others have built up over time.

    Apart from the action already taken by the regulator, I am of the opinion that the entire broadcast ecosystem – the operators, including the parties in dispute, the regulator, the Ministry of Information and Culture, and even the invisible drummers who are playing for the little bird to dance on the road, will be waiting with bated interest to hear the pronouncement of the Supreme Court on this matter. Perhaps, just perhaps, we may be approaching a lasting peace in the broadcast industry.

    Irrespective of the developments, I still hold fast to my little opinion that pay TV and premium programming are inseparable but very challenging to achieve. It is expensive and it demands people to wear their thinking, creative cap always. An operator that has achieved a niche in the sector can be accused of monopoly practices. Unfortunately, for me, I have been in some meetings where industry monopolies are discussed. Sometimes, I am in the minority when I point out that monopoly can spring from the greedy appetite of some industry players but, oftentimes, it is fuelled by the laziness of other operators who are either too lazy to innovate, too terrified to dare, or simply do not have the funds to compete fairly.

    All of the above are at work in Nigeria. The broadcast industry has been challenged for a long time, leaving most of the operators to point at the direction of one operator who seemingly has stolen their beef. It is worse if such unfortunate reasoning bears the imprimatur of some fellows in government. But it is never too late to purge an idea whose emergence is tragic and unfortunate. The Supreme Court may provide a cushioning but cautionary resolution of a supervening uncertainty. Meanwhile, let’s say a celebratory orison for the death of monopoly in the nation’s broadcast industry!

  • BBC slams FG, vows to expose more documentaries on insecurity

    BBC slams FG, vows to expose more documentaries on insecurity

     

    The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has reacted to the federal government proposed sanction over claims that they aired documentaries glorifying and fueling terrorism, banditry in Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) slammed a N5million fine on the multimedia wing of Media Trust Limited for its “Nigeria’s Banditry: The Inside Story”.

    Also fined are Multichoice Nigeria Limited (DSTV owners), NTA-Startimes Limited, and Telcom Satellite Limited (TSTV) – N5million each.

    The NBC said that the fine was imposed because the media entities aired documentaries on banditry and terrorism.

    Reacting the development, BBC insiders said the Nigerian government wanted to hush the media, while also adding that they were trying to trivialize the magnitude of the security crisis that plagued the nation.

    They averred that the Nigerian government was trying to force the media to underreport the extent of damage done by non-state actors (NSAs).

    “We published another one (documentary), and will do more because it’s about the people suffering”.

    “They (government) did not impose a fine on us because they knew they could not do so.

    “What they can do is write to the agency that regulates us, the Office of Communications (Ofcom).

    “They definitely would ask Ofcom to take disciplinary actions; they cannot do anything other than that.

    “After Trust TV spoke with the victims, we interviewed the NSAs – Ado Aleru, the one turbaned, and Abu Sanni who led the Jangebe school attack,” the source added.

    It’s really disheartening that such magnitude of insecurity is perpetrated, yet, under reported and public misinformed.

    It’s appalling that wanted terrorists held celebration in broad daylight without any attempt to arrest or challenge them.

    Instead of sanctioning culpable security agencies for failure to perform their statutory function to arrest and curtail the terrorists, federal government is pontificating bout imposing fine on the media for exposing the lie, complicity, duplicity and failure of those in authority.

    The security situation has gone from bad to worse. Unfortunately, those in the corridors of power live in another world. They are the only set of people who believe that the security situation in the country has improved. Citizens of fool’s paradise.

  • MultiChoice faces fresh N10m suit for hiking DStv, GOtv subscriptions

    MultiChoice faces fresh N10m suit for hiking DStv, GOtv subscriptions

    A Competition and Consumer Protection (CCPC) Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Monday, okayed a N10 million fresh suit filed by a lawyer, Festus Onifade, against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, the operators of DStv and Gotv.

    Onifade, in the amended originating summons, also sought the order of the tribunal directing and mandating MultiChoice to adopt to a pay-as-you-view model of billing for all its products and services forthwith.

    The three-member tribunal led by Thomas Okosun granted the lawyer’s reliefs in an application seeking for a leave to amend his earlier originating summons.

    The tribunal, which dismissed the objection of counsel for the company, Jamiu Agoro, ordered the defendants in the matter to file their responses to the new application within 21 days.

    The claimants; Onifade, a legal practitioner, and Coalition of Nigeria Consumers, on behalf of himself and others, had sued the company and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) as 1st and 2nd respondents respectively.

    They had prayed the tribunal for an order, restraining the firm from increasing its services and other products on April 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated and filed on March 30, and the tribunal granted the ex-parte motion, directing parties to maintain status quo ante bellum.

    But the company, inspite of the tribunal’s order, was alleged to have gone ahead with the price increase on DStv and Gotv subscriptions.

    And on April 11, the tribunal ordered MultiChoice to revert back to the old prices by maintaining status quo of its March 30 order pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

    At the resumed hearing, Onifade informed that on June 15 when the panel sat, the matter was adjourned for application on amendment.

    He, however, said that due to minor irregularities in the earlier motion filed on June 7, he decided to file another applicated dated June 17 but filed June 20 (today) to substitute the first one.

    “We are withdrawing the earlier application dated June 7 and substituting it with that of June 17,” he said.

    He further said that though the 2nd defendant had been served, the 1st defendant (MultiChoice) lawyer refused to collect the application from him.

    Okosun then directed Agoro to collect the process so that the tribunal could give the matter accelerated hearing.

    After being served in the open court, Agoro asked for a cost having joined issues with Onifade in the earlier application he sought to substitute and the tribunal awarded a N20, 000 cost against the claimants.

    The tribunal, therefore, granted Onifade’s reliefs to move the application seeking leave to amend the originating summons.

    Moving the motion, he said the application dated June 17 was filed June 20.

    He said the process had a 10-paragraph affidavit deposed to by himself and supported with an exhibit.

    “The proposed amendment had been filed and served on the defendants. We pray that the proposed amendment be deemed properly filed, same having been served,” he said.

    In opposing the application, Agoro said he filed a written address on behalf of MultiChoice on June 17.

    According to him, the same written address was filed on June 17 but deemed as properly filed and served today.

    “We adopt the arguments contain in this written address in urging this honourable tribunal to dismiss the instant application as same lacks merit,” he said.

    Agoro, who described the application as “overreaching,” argued that Onifade failed to present sufficient materials to convince the tribunal.

    Counsel for the FCCPC (2nd defendant), Tam Tamuno, said though he was not opposing the application for amendment, he said the texture of the complaints filed by Onifade had changed.

    “The first originating process did not contain any reliefs against the second defendant whereas the second amended version is seeking some prayers against the second defendant,” he said.

    Tanumo also said that the earlier affidavit had just 15 paragraphs but the fresh affidavit contained 23 paragraphs.

    The lawyer then stated that though he would not oppose Onifade’s application for amendment, “we will require time to file our reaction to the new issues that have been raised by the fresh application.”

    Responding, Onifade urged the tribunal to discountenance the arguments of the two defendants

    According to him, it is the law that where a defendant intends to controvert an affidavit-based evidence, such defendant must, as a point of law, filed a counter affidavit.

    He argued that where a defendant failed to file a counter affidavit, it would be deemed that all the averments in the application are not opposed, citing previous cases to back his arguments.

    Delivering a ruling, the tribunal held that where amendment enables counsel to correct errors, mistakes in his application in the interest of justice without prejudice to other parties, such application ought to be granted.

    Citing different authorities to support the ruling, the tribunal said “the fundamental object of litigation is to decide the rights of parties, and not citing mistakes of parties..”

    “In conclusion, though the 1st defendant put up serious argument, he does not point out any injustice he will suffer in this and he did not file a counter affidavit to the application,” the tribunal said.

    The tribunal, subsequently, granted the leave for the claimants to amend their originating summons and deemed it to have been properly filed.

    It then adjourned the matter until July 21 for hearing.

    In the new originating summons, the claimants also sought a declaration that the tariffs increase in products and services “in respect of the 1st defendant and any other subsequent proposed increase of April 1 without prior resolution of the claimants’ petitions to the 2nd defendant is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

    “An order of this honourable tribunal directing and mandating the 1s defendant to reverse back to the price regime prior to the price and products increase prior of April, 2020.

    “An order of this honourable tribunal directing and mandating the 1st defendant to adopt to PAY-AS-YOU-VIEW model of billing for all its products and services forthwith.

    “An order of this honourable tribunal directing and mandating the defendants jointly and or severally, to pay the claimants the sum of N10, 000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) only for general damages resulting from all manner of psychological traumas, hardship and the continuous violation of the claimant’s and compensation for various anti-consumer’s acts.

    “An order of this honourable tribunal directing and mandating the defendants jointly and or severally to pay N1, 000,000.00 (One Million Naira) only as cost of this suit.”