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.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Veteran Nigerian actor, Mr Kola Oyewo, is reported to have breathed his last at the age of 80.
A popular Nollywood actor, Mr Kunle Afod, confirmed the news of the passing of the scholar, dramatist and filmmaker on Friday in a post on his Instagram page.
Before his passing, Mr Afod recently visited the university teacher at his residence, where he made monetary donations to him.
In his post on Friday, he announced the death of the thespian, saying “Tonight, we lost a true legend. Kola Oyewo has taken his final bow.”
“His remarkable talent, timeless performances, and immense contributions to the Nigerian theatre and film industry will never be forgotten. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come,” he further wrote.
Recall that in an interview with Mr Afod, the deceased disclosed how his battle with prostate enlargement affected his acting career, which spanned over six decades.
Mr Oyewo began his acting career in 1964 with the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group after he was born on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Osun State.
During his lifetime, he acted in several movies, including Saworoide, Super Story, Sango, and Koseegbe, amongst others. He also played the role of Odewale in Ola Rotimi’s play, The Gods Are Not to Blame.
In 1996, he became a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University and retired in September 2011 as a senior lecturer. He later moved to Redeemer’s University as the Head of the Department of Dramatic Art. He later worked at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, as a performing arts lecturer.
Big Brother Naija Reunion is on, the World Cup tournament is kicking off, or that new DStv/GOtv series everyone has been talking about just dropped, and somehow, you’re not at home. Maybe you’re in traffic, at work, or just not near a TV. In moments like these, the real question is no longer “what’s showing?” but “how do I not miss it?”
That shift is precisely why the DStv and GOtv Stream have become more than just viewing platforms. They are now part of how people actually experience television on the move, at home, on phones, and in real time.”
Whether it’s someone trying to catch a live show while commuting, watching highlights during a break at work, or simply preferring to stream directly from their device instead of using a decoder, these apps have quietly changed how entertainment is consumed.
But beyond streaming and access, many users still don’t fully understand how to navigate them properly. Here’s a simple guide.
1. Getting Started
Download the DStv Stream or GOtv Stream app from your device’s app store and sign in using your DStv or GOtv account details.
Once you’re logged in, you’ll land on the home page, where you’ll find a mix of live TV, recommended content, trending titles, and recently added shows.
2. Watching Live TV
One of the easiest ways to use the platform is through the Live TV section.
Simply:
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Tap on Live TV
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Browse available channels
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Select the channel you want
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Start watching instantly
This is especially useful for:
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Big Brother Naija live broadcasts
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Football matches and tournaments
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News coverage
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Reality shows
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Live events
You can move between channels just as you would on a decoder.
3. Finding Shows and Movies
For viewers who already know what they want to watch, the search feature offers a quick way to find specific shows, movies, channels, or sporting events without scrolling through categories.
The platform also organizes content into categories, making it easier to discover something new.
4. Catch Up on Missed Episodes
If you missed an episode because you were busy, the catch-up feature allows you to watch selected programs after they have aired. Instead of waiting for reruns, you can simply search for the show and pick up right where you left off. This feature is especially useful during busy periods when it can be difficult to keep up with daily shows.
5. Explore Recommended and Trending Content
The home page regularly highlights:
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Trending shows
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Newly added content
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Popular movies
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Recommended titles based on viewing habits
If you’re not sure what to watch next, this section can help you discover content you may have otherwise missed.
6. Accessing Showmax Content
One of the biggest additions to the streaming experience is the integration of Showmax content.
Viewers can now access a wide range of Showmax movies, series, and entertainment content directly through the streaming platform, making it easier to move between live TV and on-demand viewing without constantly switching services.
From international blockbusters to local favorites, there’s significantly more content available to explore.
7. Creating a Personal Viewing Experience
The platform allows users to:
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Continue watching from where they stopped
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Save favorite content
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Browse viewing history
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Discover personalized recommendations
This makes it easier to keep track of ongoing series and find content that matches your interests.
With the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream, live channels, catch-up viewing, on-demand entertainment, and Showmax content are all available in one place, making it easier than ever to watch what you want, when you want, and wherever you are.
The Big Brother Naija Season 10 reunion kicked off yesterday, and honestly, nobody was prepared for how quickly things went from zero to heated. From unresolved tensions to emotional confessions, it looks like the housemates came ready to finally say everything they’ve been holding back.
If episode one is anything to go by, the rest of the reunion is set to be explosive.
Here are some of the highlights from Episode 1 of the reunion:
Sabrina opened up about her early exit, saying that if she had stayed longer, viewers would have seen more of her personality, and that a love interest storyline likely wouldn’t have happened.
Tracy reflected on her time in the house, admitting she didn’t feel emotionally prepared for the experience. She also expressed that while she wanted a deeper connection with Kuture, things felt too physical for her.
Zita revisited her time in the house as well, insisting her fight with Mide was not performative and that she often felt cornered by how things played out. Mide, however, pushed back, saying Zita misunderstood her intentions and that she is not condescending.
Zita and Danboskid also addressed their failed “ship,” finally laying the relationship drama to rest.
Thelma had an emotional moment while defending herself in the Isabella and Kayinkumi situation, with tensions rising further when Big Soso jumped into the conversation, escalating things between her and Thelma.
We also saw more tension unfold between Tega and Thelma, with revelations that added even more weight to their already strained dynamic.
And just when we thought it couldn’t get any hotter, the episode ended on a cliffhanger, with Kola and Doris going head-to-head, leaving viewers waiting for what comes next.
If this is just episode one, the rest of the reunion promises nothing short of chaos, clarity, and confrontations.
Big Brother Naija S10 reunion is clearly not holding back this year. You can catch all the drama at 10 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and 10:30 pm on Africa Magic Family on DStv and GOtv.
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