Broadcasting
Film Producer Drags Multichoice to Court over Unlawful Airing of Yoruba Movie
Mr. Lateef Onida, a film Producer, and his company LAT -Larry Film Company whose film ‘Aroni Rogun Matidi’ was allegedly infringed by Multichoice Nigeria Limited has slammed N25 million suit on the Digital Satellites Television, DSTV.
In a statement of claim filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria by a Lagos lawyer, Olu Ogunmola, on behalf of the plaintiffs, it was alleged that, sometimes in 2011, the plaintiff engaged and signed a contract with a film marketing company to market his film titled “Aroni Rogun Matidi,’ which was registered with the Nigeria Copyright Commission and also submitted it to National Film and Video Censors Board and got their approvals.
The marketer was given the right of releasing the film only at the Idumota market in Lagos, and it was further agreed that the agreement shall not cover the right to exhibit the film at Cinemas, Television, Cable Network, or the selling of the film ‘s Porter by the marketer unless as may be agreed by the producer.
However, it was alleged that, Multichoice Nigeria Limited’s DSTV having had unlawful, illegal and unauthorized access to the Plaintiffs’ film aired the said film on the 27th day of July 2012 at about 5pm vide their Network Digital Statellite Television in a Caption Yoruba African Magic and the airing continued through the 30th July, 2012 in flagrant breach of the Plaintiff ‘s Copyright of the film Aroni Rogun Matidi.
The Plaintiffs averred that on becoming aware of this flagrant breach of the Plaintiff ‘s Copyright of the film, instructed their lawyers to demand for a discontinuance of airing of the film, and also demanded for compensation and damages for the breach complained of, but the defendant ignored the two letters written to them, consequently, the Plaintiffs were compelled to write a petition to the Yoruba Video Film Producers/Marketers Association of Nigeria.
While the Plaintiffs were awaiting a response or reply to the petition, Multichoice who had earlier stopped the airing of the film after letters written to them informing it of the breach recommenced the unlawful and unauthorized airing of the film by cleverly changing the film’s caption to something else, while the entire features and theme remained the same.
The Plaintiff’s counsel wrote another protest letter to the defendant, consequent upon this letter the defendant’s lawyer for the first time in their reply requested for necessary proofs, including video coverage evidencing the infringement and this were furnished to the defendant, but the defendant still denied airing the film despite clear proof sent to the defendant and went ahead to send to the plaintiffs a letter of authority purportedly given to the defendant to air other films unrelated to the Plaintiff ‘s film by one Frank Dallas Communications.
The plaintiffs averred that a check at the purported 102, Ogunsanya Drive, Surulere, Lagos address of Frank Dallas Communications shows that no such company existed in the said address. Consequently the Plaintiff wrote a letter to Multichioce demanding for copyright Documents of Frank Dallas Communications on Ayeloja, Owo -Ida and Ofin and the Films Censors Board Certificate of same but the letter was not replied by Multichoice.
Consequently the Plaintiffs is now urging the court to declare that the unlawful and unauthorized airing of its film entitled ‘Aroni Rogun Matidi’ by Multichioce and serialing same by cleverly changing the caption of the film is a flagrant breach of its copyright under the copyright Act 2004.
The Plaintiffs are also urging the court to order Multichoice to pay them the sum of N25 million as exemplary and General damages for the financial trauma, financial hardship, financial embarrassment, loss of income inflicted on them by Multichoice.
However, Multichoice in its statement of defense filed before the court by the law firm of Ogunsanya and Ogunsanya, denied almost all the claims of Mr Lateef Onida and his company and averred that it acquired some Yoruba Soap Opera series titled Ayeloja, Owo ida and Ofin which came in episode formats with 26 episodes each from their lawful owner being Frank Dallas Communications, therefore never had any unlawful, illegal and unauthorized access to the plaintiffs’ movie titled Aroni rogun Matidi and that there was never a time the defendant aired the said movies as alleged, and it is not in any position to know whether the plaintiffs checked the address of Frank Dallas communications being 102,Ogunlana Drive, Surulere to ascertain its existence or not.
The defendant prayed the court to dismiss this suit with substantial cost for being frivolous and an abuse of court process.
The presiding judge, justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo has adjourned till 4 December, 2017 for hearing to commence.
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says the country now ranks second in Africa for domestic passengers, hitting 10.5 million in 2025—a 10 percent jump.
FAAN
FAAN boss Olubunmi Kuku disclosed this at the Airports Council International Africa conference in Luanda, Angola.
Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport posted 11.8 percent growth in air traffic movements, one of Africa’s strongest.
Cargo surged 34.4 percent at Lagos, cementing its top-tier status.
Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe and Lagos airports cracked Africa’s top 10 for domestic traffic.
Kuku stressed Nigeria’s push to host and shape African air links amid rising demand for modern, resilient airports.
Afro-pop star Joeboy takes centre stage this week as he features on the Easter edition of African Voices, the Globacom-sponsored magazine programme on CNN.
In this episode, the Nigeria-born singer sits down with show anchor, Larry Madowo, in Lagos, where he shares the story of his journey from a young university student with big dreams to becoming one of Afrobeats’ most recognised voices.
Long before global attention, Joeboy, born Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus, started out experimenting with music and sharing covers online. His 2017 cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” marked a turning point, helping him transition fully into singing and setting the stage for what was to come.
That moment soon opened new doors, including a connection with Mr. Eazi, who brought him into the emPawa Africa talent programme. This provided support and exposure for his music to reach a wider audience, laying the foundation for his professional career. The alliance also birth “Fààjí,” which featured Mr. Eazi in 2018, after which he was signed to Warner Music Africa.
Under this partnership, Joeboy released his hit single “Baby” in 2019, followed by “Beginning,” which has 23 million views on YouTube. He also released “Love & Light” the same year and featured Mayorkun in the tracks “Don’t Call Me” and “All for You”
Since then, the 29-year-old has gone on to release two albums, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic in February 2021 and Body & Soul in 2023, while earning recognition across the continent, including awards for his contributions to African pop music. He won Best Artist in African Pop at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and Best Pop at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.
The programme will air on Saturday at 7.30 a.m., with several repeat broadcasts scheduled across the weekend and into the following week. 11 a.m. on Saturday; on Sunday at 3.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. This continues on Monday at 3 a.m. and 5.45 p.m, and on Tuesday at 5.45 p.m. The schedule will be repeated next week until 3 a.m. on Monday.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), seeking to overturn a Federal High Court judgement that restrained it from imposing fines on radio and television stations across the country.
NBC
Delivering the lead judgement, Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi, on behalf of a three-member panel, upheld the earlier ruling and set aside the fines imposed by the NBC on 45 broadcast stations on March 1, 2019, for alleged breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The panel was presided over by Justice Abba Mohammed, with Justice Donatus Okorowo as the third member.
According to a statement issued by Idowu Adewale, Communications Officer of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), the unanimous decision of the Court of Appeal stemmed from a suit filed by the non-governmental organisation in November 2021, challenging the NBC’s powers to impose fines on broadcasters.
The Federal High Court, in its judgement delivered on May 10, 2023, by Justice James Omotosho, ruled in favour of MRA after the NBC failed to defend the suit.
The court held that fines are sanctions imposed on persons found guilty of criminal offences and, under Nigerian law, only courts of law have the authority to impose such penalties.
Setting aside the fines of ₦500,000 each imposed on the affected stations, Justice Omotosho stated that the NBC “is neither a court nor a judicial tribunal to make pronouncements on the guilt of broadcast stations, notwithstanding what the NBC Code says.”
He added that the Commission’s actions violated the Constitution.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the NBC filed a motion in July 2023, urging the same court to set aside the judgement on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction and had reached its decision without considering relevant facts.
However, in November 2023, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application, describing it as futile and an afterthought, noting that available evidence showed the Commission had been duly served but failed to appear in court to defend the case.
The NBC subsequently approached the Court of Appeal in July 2024, seeking to overturn the judgement.
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At the hearing on February 4, 2026, Mr Victor Ogude (SAN), leading Mr Kehinde Wilkey for the NBC, adopted his brief of argument and made additional submissions.
Counsel to MRA, Ezenwa Anumnu, also adopted his brief and responded accordingly.
In its ruling, the appellate court agreed with MRA’s position that the NBC, having failed to contest the suit at the Federal High Court, could not raise fresh challenges at the appellate level.
Justice Oyewumi held that the appeal lacked merit and accordingly dismissed it.
With this decision, MRA has secured victory in the first of two appeals involving the NBC over separate Federal High Court judgements barring the Commission from imposing fines on broadcast stations.
The second appeal, filed by the NBC against a similar judgement delivered on January 17, 2024 by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is still pending. The Court of Appeal heard arguments in that matter on March 25, 2026 and has reserved judgement.
In that case, the NBC is challenging a ruling arising from a suit filed by MRA after the Commission imposed fines of ₦5 million each on a television station and three pay-TV platforms in 2022 for allegedly undermining national security through the broadcast of documentaries on banditry in Nigeria.
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