Broadcasting
Businessman Files N5trn Suit Against Works Minister, Others Over Alleged Copyright Breach
A businessman, Mr Kenneth Ibe-Kalu, has filed a N5 trillion suit against the Minister of Works and Housing over alleged copyright infringement, according to NAN report.
Ibe-Kalu, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1047/2022 before Justice Bolaji Olajuwon, sought 22 reliefs.
The case filed during President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, alleged that Mr Babatunde Fashola, who was the presiding minister and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) were “liable for the tort of conversion” by dealing with Ibe-Kalu’s idea and concept as though the idea and concept belonged to them.
In the writ of summons dated July 13, 2022, and filed Dec. 13, Hugiano Embold Solutions Ltd and Ibe-Kalu, the 1st and 2nd plaintiffs, sued the Minister of Works, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice and ICRC as 1st to 3rd defendants.
Also joined in the suit are Minister of Information and Culture, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Planning Commission (NPC), KPMG Advisory Services, KPMG Professional Services as 4th to 8th defendants.
Others are Incorporated Trustees of Pan Atlantic University Foundation (Lagos Business School) and United Kingdom Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructural Advisory Facility Programme) as 9th to 10th defendants respectively.
Ibe-Kalu, the Managing Director of the 1st plaintiff, in the amended statement of claims, averred that he was the one, who conceptualised the idea of National Transformation Tourists Centers (NTTC).
He said he was moved by patriotic zeal and personally undertook extensive research and study into infrastructure driven economic development of Nigeria to address the huge infrastructure deficit and promote development in the process.
According to him, the NTTC idea is a development initiative to boost even development across the country, to secure safety on the highways, to encourage tourism as well as to tackle the security challenges bedeviling the nation.
He said as conceived, 15 per cent of the accruable revenue from the management of the concept would go to the state governments while five per cent accruable revenue would go to the Federal Government.
He said In a letter dated March 15, 2016, he wrote to former President Buhari and the concept was approved on a Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
He said after an Input by the then Information minister, the NTTC concept was assigned to Works minister to partner with him to actualise the project on April 7, 2017.
He alleged that Fashola and ICRC infringed on his right by adapting his idea as theirs and renamed it as Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) against Buhari’s directive.
According to him, Fashola and ICRC contacted KPMG Advisory Services and KPMG Professional Services (7th and 8th defendants), an accounting firm, to estimate the cost of execution of NTTC concept renamed as HDMI.
Ibe-Kalu averred that 12 routes were approved by ICRC estimated to cost N1.34 trillion.
“The plaintiffs aver that the probable cost of execution of the 340 NTTC is estimated to be around the figure of N50 trillion only,” he added.
He said after bidding by contractors, the minister of works is now partnering with 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th defendants to actualise the HDMI.
He said he wrote letters to all the defendants to notify them of alleged right breach.
Ibe-Kalu, therefore, sought an order directing the defendants jointly and severally to continue with the plaintiffs with respect to the commencement, the execution and the completion of project on PPP arrangement.
He sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from interfering with his copyright.
He also sought an order of conversion deeming him as the author and owner of the alleged minister of works’ HDMI which was an adaptation of his NTTC.
He equally sought an order directing the works minister and ICRC jointly and severally to render to him account of all monies received by them on the basis of HDMI, alleged to be an adaptation of NTTC idea.
Ibe-Kalu further prayed for an order directing the works minister and ICRC to pay him the sum of N5 trillion as exemplary damages for breach of copyright, contract and conversion of his concept, among other reliefs
While being led in evidence-in-chief by his lawyer, John Oseji, before Justice Olajuwon, Ibe-Kalu identified all the documents tendered in evidence and were admitted as exhibits.
The judge adjourned the matter until May 2 for cross examination of Ibe-Kalu, the prosecution witness. (NAN)
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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