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NCC Arraigns MCSN, 7 others for Performing Society Duties

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Afam Ezekude, director general, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC)
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Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has arraigned the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) and seven of its officials at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, for performing the functions of a collecting society without the approval of the Commission as required by law.

The officials of MCSN arraigned by the NCC before Honourable Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa on December 4, 2012 were Mayowa Ayilaran, Louis Udoh, Halim Mohammed, Banjo Omolara Biliqis, Yusuf Adogi Benson, Olakayode Ajayi and Njoku Gladys.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to one-count each of three charges preferred against them and the MCSN in charges Nos. FHC/L/351C/2012, FHC/L/352C/2012 and FHC/L/353C/2012, all dated October 10, 2012 and signed by a Copyright Inspector and Prosecutor of the NCC, Obi Ezeilo, Esq
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The first charge, FHC/L/351C/2012, states: “That you (1) Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (2) Mayowa Ayilaran (M) (3) Louis Udoh (M) (4) Halim Mohammed (M) (5) Banjo Omolara Biliqis (F) (6) Yusuf Adogi (M) (7) Olakayode Ajayi (M) and (8) Njoku Gladys (F) all of No. 6 Olaribido Street, Ikeja, Lagos State on or between 2010 and 2012 within the Lagos Judicial Division of the Honourable Court, did perform duties of a Collecting Society by demanding royalties from Southern Sun 47 Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi Lagos and carrying on the business of soliciting and granting licences on behalf of copyright owners without the approval of the Nigerian Copyright Commission and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 39 (4), (5) and (6) of the Nigerian Copyright Act Cap C28 LFN 2004.”

The second charge, FHC/L/352C/2012, stated that the eight accused persons performed the duties of a Collecting Society on or about April 2010 within the Lagos Judicial Division of Federal High Court by “demanding royalties from Scarlet Lodge 79 Younis Bashorun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos and carrying on the business of soliciting and granting licences on behalf of copyright owners without the approval of the Nigerian Copyright Commission and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 39 (4), (5) and (6) of the Nigerian Copyright Act Cap C28 LFN 2004.”

The third charge, FHC/L/353C/2012, stated that the accused persons performed the duties of a Collecting Society on or about May 2012 within the Lagos Judicial Division of Federal High Court by “demanding royalties from Blow Fish of 17 Ojun Olobun Street, off Bishp Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos and carrying on the business of soliciting and granting licences on behalf of copyright owners without the approval of the Nigerian Copyright Commission and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 39 (4), (5) and (6) of the Nigerian Copyright Act Cap C28 LFN 2004.”

Counsel to the accused, Mr Adewale Adesokan Esq. applied to the court for bail of the accused persons.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. Obi Ezeilo, opposed the bail application on the ground that the accused persons were likely to jump bail in view of the fact that they had failed on several occasions to honour the Commission’s invitations during investigations while the accused persons were also facing trial in another court for a similar offence.

Justice Yunusa, in his ruling, granted the accused persons bail in each of the charges in the sum of one million Naira (N1, 000,000.00) and two sureties in like sum with proof of landed property in Lagos.

The cases were adjourned as follows꞉ Charge No. FHC/L/315C/2012 to February 19, 2013; Charge No. FHC/L/352C/2012 to February 26, 2013 and Charge No. FHC/L/353C/2012 to February 27, 2013.

It will be recalled that the Commission had received several petitions against the unlawful operations of MCSN from industry stakeholders.

Investigation confirmed that MCSN has been operating as a collecting society without the mandatory approval of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, by illegally granting licenses for usage of musical works as well as collecting royalties from unsuspecting organisations.

The Commission’s operatives had carried out an antipiracy operation, on October 19, 2012, on the premises of MCSN at 6, Olaribiro, Street, Off Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos during which five senior officials of MCSN were arrested, namely; Halim Mohammed, Banjo Omolara Biliqis, Yusuf Adogi Benson, Olakayode Ajayi and Njoku Gladys.

The Commission reiterates its commitment to protecting creativity and ensuring that the rights of copyright owners are protected. The Commission further enjoins members of the public to desist from transacting business with the MCSN as any further dealings with the illegal collecting society will amount to aiding and abetting illegality.
 


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MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

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MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.

The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.

Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.

Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.

By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.

Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.

“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.

“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”

MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.

Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.

Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.

The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.

 


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IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

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International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World's Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.

Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.

According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.

He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.

Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.

According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.

He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.

Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.

IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.


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NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

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The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.

 The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.

 Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.

Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.


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