Showbiz
Court Dismisses MultiChoice Plea to Stop NBC Audit
By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant an application filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited seeking an interim order restraining the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from requesting any financial, accounting, or tax documents from them.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by the applicant’s counsel, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), rather directed all parties, in the interest of justice, not to take any step that could make the outcome of the suit nugatory.
Although the ruling was delivered on Wednesday, its certified true copy was sighted on Friday.
“The ex-parte order for Interim Injunction dated 8th day of May, 2024 and filed 16th day of May, 2024 is hereby refused,” he declared.
Justice Omotosho then adjourned the matter until May 30 for a hearing of the motion on notice.
MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and Details Nigeria Limited, a provider of the subscription-based digital terrestrial television service known as GOtv, are 1st and 2nd applicants.
In the ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/652/2024 dated May 8 and filed May 16 by their lawyer, they sued NBC as the sole respondent.
The applicants sought three reliefs, including an order of interim injunction, restraining NBC from carrying out any investigations of the companies to determine their annual income or NBC levy for the years between 2014 and 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
They sought an order of interim injunction restraining NBC from requesting, demanding and or receiving any financial, accounting or tax documents from the companies other than the annual audited accounts of the companies already submitted to the commission.
They said this was in according to Section 2 (10) (b) of the NBC Code 6th Edition to determine her remittance of NBC levy for the 2014 to 2024 years of account pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
They equally prayed an order of interim injunction restraining the commission from sanctioning, fining or suspending the companies’ license pursuant to the threats contained in its letter dated April 29 to them, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
In the affidavit deposed to by the companies’ Head of Compliance, Mr Gozie Onumonu, he averred that the firms were mandated under the various NBC Codes to pay a certain percentage of their income as annual NBC levy to the respondent.
He said that the current code; NBC Code 6th Edition, provides for 2.5 per cent of the income of a broadcaster to be paid to the respondent yearly as an annual NBC levy while the erstwhile code which was amended in 2019 provides for 1.5% of the income of a broadcaster to be paid to the defendant yearly as an annual levy.
He claimed that the companies had never defaulted in paying their annual levy to the commission.
“Income as provided by the NBC Code 6th Edition is not defined nor is it defined in any other previous editions nor in the NBC Act 2004.
“As a result of the lack of definition of what an income is, there was a dispute between the applicants and the respondent in the year 2014 about whether income should be turnover or revenue minus the cost of production.
“After due negotiations, meetings, etc., between the applicants and the respondent, it was agreed by the applicants and respondent that income should be revenue minus cost of production.
“In the year 2014, when the applicants subtracted the cost of production from their revenue in order to arrive at the then 1.5 per cent required of the applicants under the NBC Code 5th Edition, what was left for the applicants to pay to the defendant in compliance with the 1.5 per cent requirement of the NBC Code 5th Edition was negligible.
“The amount the respondent would have been entitled to, from the applicants as annual NBC levy between 2014 to 2019 if the applicants were to strictly pay the 1.5 per cent annual NBC levy provided by the 5th Edition of the Code was small and the respondent might not be able to carry out its administrative functions in view of its financial needs.
“Specifically, in the year 2014 and 2015, the amount that would have been due to the defendant as 1.5 per cent of the annual income of the 1st applicant was N2.1 million (N2,167,254)
“As a result, the respondent beseeched the applicants to consent to the payment of a fixed sum of N500 million (N500,000,000) as annual levy for the applicants’ licence period of 2014 to 2019 the sum of which was far more than what the plaintiffs were supposed to be paying to the respondent if the applicants were to pay only the 1.5 per cent of their annual income as provided by the NBC Code.
“For the years 2014 to 2019 the respondent wants to investigate to verify whether the applicants paid up to 2.5 per cent of their annual incomes as annual NBC levy, the operational NBC Code then was the NBC Code, 5th Edition and it requires broadcaster to pay 1.5 per cent of their annual incomes as annual levy,” he said.
Mr Onumonu, who said the companies had already submitted a certified true copy of their audited account for the previous year(s) to NBC, said the commission was paid over N12 billion (N12, 490, 000, 0000) as annual levy from 2014 to date.
The officer described NBC’s action as an abuse of power, urging the court to grant their plea in the interest of justice.
Winner Achimugu, the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Best Graduating Student 2024, has embarked on a six-week scholarship at the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA). This achievement not only celebrates her exceptional talent and dedication but also reinforces MTF’s commitment to nurturing world-class African filmmakers ready to make their mark on the global stage.
Since its inception, MTF has been more than just a training ground; it’s a launchpad for African storytellers. Alumni from the academy have consistently demonstrated excellence, with films and projects winning awards, receiving grants, and gaining international recognition. Notable projects include 2070, which clinched Best Short Film at the African SDGs Film Festival, and Isekonu, a Zee World short film, officially selected for the Lagos Fringe Festival 2025 and nominated for Best Student Film at the Bayelsa International Film Festival.
These achievements reflect MTF’s ethos of equipping young filmmakers with both the technical skills and creative vision necessary to succeed, both locally and internationally.
The 2024 Best Graduating Student, Winner Achimugu, distinguished herself among her peers with a combination of talent, dedication, and storytelling finesse. Her selection for the NYFA scholarship is a testament to her hard work and to the quality of mentorship and training at MTF.
Through this program, she will engage in intensive workshops, hands-on training, and industry exposure that promise to elevate her craft. The scholarship is not just an award, it is a bridge connecting African storytelling to global cinematic opportunities, embodying MTF’s brand promise of fostering talent that transcends borders.
This scholarship opens new avenues for growth, offering exposure to international techniques, networks, and collaborative experiences that could define the trajectory of her career. For MTF, it’s a validation of its mission: cultivating a generation of filmmakers whose creativity, vision, and impact will resonate far beyond Africa.
As this journey unfolds, it reinforces the message that African cinema is on the rise, powered by storytellers who are ready to take their place on the world stage. With MTF alumni leading the way, the future of African filmmaking looks brighter than ever.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.
This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.
Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.
The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.
The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.
More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.
“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.
“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.
“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.
Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.
InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.
They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.
The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.
The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.
This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.
“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.
“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.
As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.
An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.
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