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Develop ICT For a Better Economy –Akam
Richard Emeka Akam, an accountant by profession is the managing director and chief executive officer of Victory Computer Technologies. Akam who has been in the IT Industry for over 15 years, was in 2007 appointed as the coordinator of Data Information Technologies Association of Nigeria (Ditan). In this interview with nkechi david-iwuchukwu, he spoke of his role in the “Arena” and other industry issues.
Ditan
Ditan simply means Data Information Technologies Association of Nigeria. The association came about because we wanted to bring about professional ethics as entrepreneurs who deal on ICT products, goods and services. Ditan as a voice to its members is an avenue to reach out to the people, an avenue to showcase professional expertise to the world, a platform to showcase activities of members and a channel to drive the wheel of progress of the members to the world at large. The association is open to all those who are in the business of buying and selling of ICT and allied products, consultancy of ICT and those who offer professional ICT services to its clientele. When I was appointed the coordinator of the association in 2007, I championed the course of my members to secure shops at the “Arena”, a multi purpose ultra modern shopping complex at Bolade bus stop, along Agege motor road in Lagos. The Arena is a one stop shopping complex with over 3,500 shops. These shops are segmented into different sections to include; Computer and GSM, Electronics and Accessories, Babies, Clothing, Wares, Beverages and Food Stuffs.
Role of Ditan in the Arena
Ditan as a body helped its members to secure shops at the Arena through a mortgage finance bank. In fact what happened was that Bank PHB financed our members for 100 shops. The 100 shops has been fully paid for by the bank but as I am talking to you now, only 51 shops out of the 100 shops have been allocated to our members and the remaining 49 is yet to be allocated to us. My members are not happy about this development, they are not satisfied with the manner in which the allocation was done in piece meal, hence those members that got allocated at the initial stage could not take off because they want all the members to be fully represented at the Arena since it was a collective project.
On The Part Of Bank PHB
Our members are thankful to the bank for their full financial backing in the Arena project but they are not happy with with the management of the Arena, because the interest from the bank is still running even when the allocation has not been completed. However, we are pleading with bank PHB to try and allocate the remaining 49 shops to our members.
On The Part Of The Arena Management
The management of the shopping complex should look into the cost implication of the project on individuals who have to pay back their loans with the interest on it and try to see that people are not ripped off. The initial cost should not be much, because if it is much, some people might not want to continue with the project and this will affect the take off of the shopping complex.
Missions and Visions of The Association
The missions and visions of the association includes; to foster and promote oneness, progress, equality and social justice among its members, and to promote and protect its members collective interest. Also the association will not relent in its effort to galvanize its members to be good ambassadors and to project its good image positively within and outside the country. Like I mentioned earlier, membership of the association is open to any individual or firm engaged in the buying, selling and distribution of ICT and allied products, ICT consultancy and those who offer professional ICT services to its clientele.
Fake or Substandard Products
In Ditan, we are very transparent in our dealings in terms of products we sell to our numerous customers and the services we offer to them as well. We do not compromise in the quality of goods we sell and the services we render. I can say categorically that we do not indulge in the sales and services of fake or substandard products but generally speaking about fake or substandard products in the country, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), has a greater role to play than individuals and associations, because we are aware that there are goods not meant for this country that comes into it.
Quality of Products and Services
Like I said earlier, we do not compromise on the quality of products sold or services rendered because we ensure that our customers get value for their money. I must confess that a lot of big players in the ICT industry are members of Ditan.
Challenges confronting Ditan
Every association face challenges. In Ditan, the association is facing the challenge of finance, because the Arena environment is very conducive and meant for mature business because there are packing spaces for customers and also for members who bring in their containers, as they will off load without harassment from social miscreants popularly known as “area boys”. Also, There is no issue of traffic congestion, and that of street trading because the complex is strategically located.
ICT Growth
ICT industry is presently driven by private individual and there is an urgent need for the government to look inward, as it will fast track the much needed growth in the industry. The government should develop the ICT industry for a better economy, because if they show more concern in the industry like reducing tariff on ICT products and accessories, so that the cost to final consumers can be reduced. But let us not forget that the ICT revolution has doubled the volume of business transactions in the industry.
African law enforcement agencies arrested 651 suspects and recovered over $4.3 million in a joint operation targeting investment fraud, mobile money scams, and fake loan applications.
As INTERPOL revealed on Wednesday, Operation Red Card 2.0 identified 1,247 victims between December 8 and January 30 while targeting cybercrime operations linked to over $45 million in financial losses.
Authorities across 16 countries also seized 2,341 devices and took down 1,442 malicious websites, domains, and servers during this joint action coordinated by the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC).
In Nigeria, police officers dismantled an investment fraud ring that was recruiting young people to run phishing, identity theft, and fake investment schemes, taking down over 1,000 fraudulent social media accounts in the process.
They also arrested six members of a Nigerian cybercrime gang that used stolen employee credentials to breach a major telecom provider.
Kenyan investigators also apprehended 27 suspects while investigating fraud networks that used social media and messaging platforms to lure victims into fake investment schemes.
In Côte d’Ivoire, 58 suspects were arrested as part of a crackdown on predatory mobile loan apps that targeted victims with hidden fees and abusive debt-collection practices.
“These organized cybercriminal syndicates inflict devastating financial and psychological harm on individuals, businesses and entire communities with their false promises,” said Neal Jetton, the head of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate.
“Operation Red Card highlights the importance of collaboration when combatting transnational cybercrime. I encourage all victims of cybercrime to reach out to law enforcement for help.”
One year ago, African law enforcement arrested another 306 suspects in the first stage of this INTERPOL-led operation targeting cross-border cybercriminal networks.
This is the latest INTERPOL operation targeting African cybercrime, with thousands of arrests and multiple multimillion-dollar operations disrupted or dismantled in recent years, following Operation Serengeti and Operation Africa Cyber Surge.
Lagos State Government has commenced the implementation of a 5% Withholding Tax (WHT) deduction on gaming winnings, in line with applicable Nigerian tax laws and regulatory directives governing the gaming industry.
The deduction applies to net winnings from licensed gaming platforms operating within Lagos State and is deducted at the point of payout. All licensed gaming operators in Lagos have been directed to comply immediately with the framework.
Under the new arrangement, 5% of qualifying gaming winnings will be automatically deducted before payment is made to players and remitted to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) as the statutory tax authority.
According to the State Government, the measure forms part of Lagos’ broader drive to strengthen tax compliance, transparency, and accountability in the rapidly expanding gaming sector.
Players are required to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) in compliance with KYC (know your customer) rules, while all deductions and remittances will be handled by licensed operators in line with regulatory requirements.
Players will receive their winnings net of the statutory deduction, with proper records maintained for transparency. The WHT deducted also serves as a tax credit to the player.
All licensed gaming operators in Lagos State have now been formally directed to commence the deductions with immediate effect.
Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned the $150 million dollars suit filed by Chianugo Peter, a Nigerian, against Google LLC and GoDaddy.com LLC over shutdown of his YouTubeAudio.com domain name until April 22 for hearing.
The case, which was before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, could not proceed due to the absence of the judge in today’s proceedings.
Although Emmanuel Ekpenyong, Peter’s lawyer, and Mark Mordi, who is counsel to Google LLC, were in court, Justice Egwuatu was said to be in another official assignment.
The matter was consequently fixed for April 22 for hearing.
Peter had filed the suit over allegations bordering on the shutdown of his YouTubeAudio.com domain name after eight years of promotional and marketing efforts in breach of the contract.
Peter, through his lawyer, named GoDaddy.Com LLC and Google LLC as the 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit filed on April 14, 2023 and marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/238/2023.
In his earlier originating summons filed by Ekpenyong of the law firm of Fred-Young & Evans LP, the Nigerian sought a $150 million in compensation from Google LLC and GoDaddy.com LLC for the alleged cyberspace contract breach.
The plaintiff alleged that the defendants shut down his domain and business name: YouTubeAudio.com and transferred the rights over the name to Google LLC, an American multinational technology company.
Google LLC, in its initial statement of defence dated Nov. 9, 2023, and filed Nov. 10, 2023, by its lawyer, Mr Mordi, SAN, of the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode, urged the court to dismiss Peter’s suit as being unmeritorious and lacking in merits.
Justice Egwuatu had, in April 2024, gave Chianugo Peter the go-ahead to amend his originating processes after his lawyer moved the application for same and it was not opposed by the defence counsel.
In his amended statement of claim dated April 29, 2024, Peter sought ten reliefs.
He sought a declaration that GoDaddy.com was wrong to shut down the YouTubeAudio.com domain name on Dec. 7, 2022 and that Google was wrong to remove “YTAudio” with its website youtubeaudio.com from its Google PlayStore on Dec. 25, 2023 without adequate compensation to him.
He said this is notwithstanding that YouTubeAudio.com domain and business name is different and distinct from YouTube trademarks.
Chianugo Peter wants the court to declare that he is entitled to compensation from the defendants for the loss of the YouTubeAudio.com brand and goodwill which has accrued on the brand and domain name for eight years of promotional and marketing works from July 2, 2015 to Dec. 7, 2022.
He sought an order directing the defendants to pay the sum of $50 million to him for promotional and marketing works on the YouTube Audio business name and YouTube Audio.com domain name for eight years from July 2, 2015 to Dec. 7, 2022.
He sought a $100 million in damages for loss of anticipated profits associated with the brand equity and goodwill of YouTube Audio and YouTube Audio.com domain name.
Peter also sought from the defendants, the sum of 50 million naira to enable him to carry out fresh registrations of its new name and secure an alternative domain name to host its application to attract users.
The Nigerian sought an order directing the defendants to pay the sum of 10 million naira to him for prosecution of the suit.
Alternatively, Peter prayed the court for an order for GoDaddy.com to reinstate and hoist the YouTubeAudio.com domain name which was shut down on Dec. 7, 2022 and for Goggle to also reinstate YouTubeAudio.com on its Google PlayStore platform which was unilaterally removed on Dec. 25, 2023.
Chianugo Peter submitted that he acquired rights over YouTubeAudio.com domain name from Go Daddy.com LLC who conducted a search before confirming that he could make use of the name.
The plaintiff averred that he promoted the domain and business name from 2014 to 2022 and even wrote to Google to introduce YouTubeAudio’s services and to partner with it in 2014 and 2021 but received no response from it on both occasions.
He said in February 2021, he applied for and YouTubeAudio.com was registered on Google Adsense platform for displaying advertisement on the website.
Besides, Peter said in August 2021, the domain and business name was registered on Google Playstore.
According to him, the plaintiff consistently paid GoDaddy.com LLC for registration and use of the domain name from 2015 to 2022.
But Google LLC, in its amended statement of defence and counterclaim dated and filed May 31, 2024, averred that its registration of the YOUTUBE trademarks at the Trademarks Registry gives it the exclusive night to the use of the said trademarks.
It submitted that it has incurred expenses in the sum of 24,040 64 dollars in dealing with Peter’s “deliberate infringement of the counterclaimant’s YOUTUBE trademarks.”
The company, therefore, sought a declaration that Peter’s registration and use of the YouTubeAudio business name with BN 2395035 at the CAC is an infringement of its YOUTUBE registered trademarks.
It prayed the court for an order directing Peter to pay the company the total sum of $24,040.64 being the expenses incurred in dealing with his infringement of the YOUTUBE registered trademarks.
It equally sought an order directing the plaintiff to pay the company the cost of defending the suit.
In his amended reply to Google’s amended statement of defence dated 12th July 2024, Peter responded that it is not in doubt that Google LLC owns YouTube trademarks, however, YouTubeAudio is distinct and different from YouTube trademarks.
Chianugo Peter submitted that Google LLC, being a foremost search engine in the world, knew that he had earlier written to it, that he was making use of the YouTubeAudio domain name for the past eight years without any objection or caveat by either GoDaddy.com or Google.
“Hence, Google LLC is estopped from claiming any right over the YouTubeAudio domain name,” he said.
GoDaddy.com LLC had neither filed any process nor represented in court.
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