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Lagos Slams 5% Tax on Audio, Visual Contents

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Lagos Governor N100bn bond capital market

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos State Government has disclosed that all audio and visual contents produced and sold within the state shall attract the payment of five per cent tax each.

This was disclosed by the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB) at the unveiling of a platform by the Performing Musicians Employers Association (PMAN) and Lafrique Promedia, to track and generate revenue for entertainers.

According to the Executive Secretary of the board, Mr Bamidele Balogun, the state has also issued a 30-day notice on content producers in Nigeria to duly register their contents with the body.

“The board will advise practitioners involved in production, sale, distribution of audio and visual products to register their products through the board’s authorised agent within 30 days.

“Practitioners and stakeholders are also informed that henceforth, all audio and visual contents produced and sold within Lagos State shall attract the payment of five per cent levy on each item.

“This exercise will, however, assist the Lagos State Government in policy formulation, with regard to planning and funding for the sector,” he said.

The LSFVCB Executive Secretary said that violators of the registration would face severe sanctions by the board, calling for the cooperation of stakeholders to achieve the goal.

“All practitioners and stakeholders in the entertainment sector within the state are advised to comply with this directive and cooperate with the authorised agent of the board,” he said.

This move has been touted as part of efforts by the Lagos State Government to aggressively generate revenue in the state but has faced criticisms from different parties who consider it as a wrong move capable of stifling creativity, considering the current disruptions brought about by the pandemic.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Husband of Late Gospel Singer Osinachi Nwachukwu to Die by Hanging

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osinachi nwachukwu

By Dipo Olowookere

Mr Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late popular gospel musician, Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging.

Recall that in April 2022, the singer was said to have died from a domestic violence in the hands of her husband.

Mr Nwachukwu was taken to court on a 23-count charge bordering on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, and spousal battery, among others.

It was reported that while in alive, their spiritual father intervened in the marital crisis between the couple, but the late singer was advised to endure, especially because of her status.

However, things degenerated and she died in the marriage, leaving their children devastated.

At an FCT High Court in Abuja on Monday, April 28, 2025, Justice Nwosu-Iheme found Mr Nwachukwu culpable of killing his wife.

According to the judge, the prosecuting team proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Nwachukwu was responsible for the death of the late musician.

The case could still head to the Appeal and Supreme Courts.

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Popular Artist Terry Apala in Ikoyi Prison for Naira Abuse

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Terry Alexander Ejeh Terry Apala

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A popular music act, Mr Terry Alexander Ejeh, otherwise known as Terry Apala, has been remanded in a correctional centre in Lagos for alleged mutilation of the Naira notes in January 2025.

He was arraigned on Friday, April 25, 2025, by the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) on a single-count charge bordering on mutilating the Naira notes.

The musician was accused of committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

“That you, Terry Alexander Ejeh, on January 5, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by marching on the same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007,” the count read to Terry Apala today at a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, read.

However, he pleaded not guilty to the offence when it was read to him, which prompted the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, to ask for a trial date, urging the court to remand him in a correctional centre.

The defence counsel, Mr Felix Nwabuda, informed the court of a bail application dated April 23, 2025, and prayed the court for a short date for the hearing of the application.

“Whilst praying the court for a short date for the hearing of the bail application, I will be craving the indulgence of the court to release the defendant to the defence.

“We undertake to produce him in court. He will not evade hearing. He came in from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025; and on the invitation of the EFCC, he came on his own,” he stated

But the prosecution counsel opposed the application, saying, “The application is alien and unheard of.”

“I urge the court to afford us the opportunity to look at the application and respond properly so that the court can make a well -informed ruling,” he said.

In a short ruling, Justice Akintayo Aluko refused the application of the defence, ordering the remand of the defendant in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the determination of the bail application. The matter was, thereafter, adjourned till May 5, 2025.

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Spotify’s AI Playlist Now Available in Nigeria

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Spotify’s AI Playlist

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Global streaming platform, Spotify, has announced the availability of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) playlist in Nigeria.

In a statement on Friday, it said the AI Playlist in beta is for its premium users in more than 40 markets, including Nigeria.

This feature can be found via the search tab of Spotify by simply typing AI Playlist and selecting one of the suggestions.

With AI Playlist, Spotify will curate a personalized playlist made just for users based on the tracks, artists, genres and more. This is easy to revise and refine as users only have to ask for what they want – like “more upbeat,” “more new releases,” or “happier songs.”

The most successful playlists are generated through “genre”, “mood” or “artist” prompts. But animals, activities, movie characters, colours – and even emojis – are all fair game too.

Some fun prompts the platform suggests users to try out include Afrobeat tracks for the dance floor, Trending K-Pop hits I need to know, Reggaeton for hanging out at the beach, Songs to hype me up for a football match, and Latin songs from my top genre, among others.

Since launching last year, premium users have created millions of playlists with the goal of finding music that fits any mood or moment in an instant.

Now, Spotify is making it even easier for users around the globe to create the perfect playlist and find their next favorite artist.

The company has promised that this feature would expand to markets across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.

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