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.
After months of electrifying performances, emotional moments, and unforgettable vocal showdowns, the curtain has finally closed on Nigerian Idol Season 10, and Purp has officially been crowned the winner!
The final episode, which aired live on Sunday, saw Purp go head-to-head with fellow finalist Raymu, in a high-stakes battle that tested vocal range, stage presence, and connection with fans. Ultimately, it was Purp who captured the hearts of the nation and secured the highest number of votes to earn the prestigious title of Nigerian Idol 2025.
Hosted by media personality IK Osakioduwa, the grand finale was a spectacular night filled with powerhouse performances, celebrity appearances, and touching moments that celebrated the journey of the top contenders. Judges Omawumi, Ric Hassani, and Iyanya, alongside guest judge 9ice, praised the top two for their incredible growth and resilience throughout the competition.
As the new Nigerian Idol, Purp will walk away with a life-changing prize package, including a brand new SUV, N30m cash prize, DStv Explora with a one year premium subscription and a chance to become Nigeria’s next big music star with a music deal.
Speaking after the win, an emotional Purp said, “This moment feels surreal. I’m so grateful to everyone who voted, supported, and believed in me. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to share more music with the world.”
From auditions to live shows, Nigerian Idol Season 10 has been a whirlwind of talent, passion, and unforgettable stories. And now, the journey begins for one rising star.
Fans can relive the finale and past performances on GOtv & DStv Stream and Showmax. As a bonus, subscribers who reconnect or upgrade before July 31 enjoy an automatic bouquet upgrade at no extra cost via the ongoing GOtv “We Got You” campaign.
Nigerian Idol Season 10 comes to an epic close today after weeks of unforgettable moments, show-stopping vocals, and fierce competition. The season is down to its final two: Purp and Raymu, and the question on everyone’s mind is simple; who will be the next Nigerian Idol?
As fans gear up to see who takes the crown home, GOtv is making sure you enjoy the experience to the fullest with a free bouquet upgrade when you reconnect or renew your subscription. Whether you’re a loyal viewer, a music lover, or just here for the finale fever, now is the perfect time to enjoy more value and even more entertainment.
Purp and Raymu have earned their spot in the finale after weeks of competition, each building a strong connection with fans across the country. From auditions to live shows, they have stood out with consistency, stage presence, and vocal strength. Now, it’s up to the audience. Whether you are #TeamPurp or #TeamRaymu, there’s no better way to experience the finale than with a clearer view and uninterrupted access on GOtv.
With the GOtv upgrade offer, you get to experience the grand finale with a better view. All you need to do is reconnect or renew your GOtv subscription, and you’ll get an automatic upgrade to a higher bouquet at no extra cost. That means more entertainment and access to premium channels showing the Idol finale live.
Catch the Grand Finale live today at 7pm on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Ch. 151, GOtv Ch. 8), Africa Magic Family (DStv Ch. 154, GOtv Ch. 7), or stream live on GOtv & DStv Stream apps and also on Showmax. Renew your subscription and enjoy an automatic upgrade to a higher bouquet at no extra cost from now until July 31st.
The Africa Film Finance Forum (AFFF) returns with renewed urgency and clarity of purpose, committed to unlocking the full economic potential of Africa’s film industry. Scheduled to take place from September 16–18, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, AFFF is shaping the roadmap for a $20 billion Pan-African film economy, rooted in storytelling, powered by finance, and scaled through industry.
With the theme “Pan-African Film Economy: Building a $20 billion Industry for 1.4 billion People”, the forum brings together a cross-section of industry stakeholders, filmmakers, investors, policymakers, financiers, distributors, and tech innovators to design the systems that will transform creativity into structured capital growth.
“Storytelling began in Africa. Our myths, oral histories, and traditions have always been foundational,” said Mary Ephraim-Egbas, Convener of AFFF. “But to compete globally, Africa must move beyond telling stories to monetizing them by industrializing the film sector and positioning African content as both heritage and high-value export.”
For decades, African stories have shaped culture, inspired movements, and connected communities. Yet, the continent’s film economy remains largely informal and undercapitalized. AFFF is changing that narrative by building pipelines that link creative talent to financial tools, policies, and platforms.
Key features of AFFF 2025 include:
Investor’s Room & Deal Table: Curated spaces for pre-qualified film projects to meet financiers and pitch for funding.
Certified Finance Training for Banks & Investors: Equipping financial institutions to understand film as a viable asset class.
Policy Roundtables: Engaging government leaders on aligning film with national development strategies and GDP growth.
CINETOUR: A campaign spotlighting Africa’s diverse film locations as engines for tourism and investment.
FilmTech Track: Showcasing innovations driving efficiency, transparency, and scale in production and distribution.
“Unlocking a $20 billion industry starts with recognizing film as infrastructure—creative, economic, and strategic,” said Bolaji Abimbola, Co-Chair of the AFFF PR and Strategic Communications Committee.
“AFFF isn’t just about films; it’s about jobs, exports, digital platforms, and policy shifts that make growth inevitable.”
“This is Africa’s creative century,” added Clarina De Freitas, fellow Co-Chair. “Our stories are our leverage, but only when matched with financing, distribution, and institutional credibility.”
From informal markets to cinema screens, and from mobile streaming to cross-border co-productions, AFFF is focused on building a Pan-African film ecosystem—not one led by extractive interests, but by Africans who understand the value of their narratives and the necessity of owning their industries.
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