News
MTN Loses Bid to Stop Copyright Infringement Trial

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday held that MTN Nigeria and Ferdi Moolman, its Chief Executive Officer, must face trial over alleged copyright infringements, notwithstanding settlement with a complainant.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the ruling in an application filed by an Abuja based musician, Dovie Omenuwoma-Eniwo (a.k.a. Baba 2010) seeking a withdrawal of his complaint against MTN over alleged copyright infringement on his works.
It would be recalled that the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) had filed a two-count-charge against MTN and Moolman flowing from the petition by Baba 2010.
However, following settlement and restitution by MTN over the infringement, Baba 2010 had asked for the withdrawal of his petition and the charge against the defendants.
In his decision, the judge held that the complainant had the right to withdraw his petition, but the withdrawal would not vitiate the criminal charge against MTN and Moolman.
“I hold that the withdrawal of the petition cannot per force terminate the criminal trial.
“The withdrawal of the petition and perhaps the consent judgment reached by the parties only regulates the parties’ obligations in relation to matters strictly within their control.
“The charge before the court relates to criminal proceedings, which is not affected by the civil arrangements reached between the applicant and MTN.
The judge held that the Copyright Act as passed by the National Assembly makes violation of intellectual rights subject of criminal proceedings irrespective of the rights of the copyright owner.
According to him, section 24 of the Act provides that criminal and civil actions can be taken simultaneously in respect of the same infringement under the law.
He said the discretion to prosecute or not was that of the NCC, the appropriate law enforcement agency.
“I hold that in a situation such as the present one where a copyright owner has withdrawn his petition having settled his differences with the alleged violator, the discretion at all events remains that of the prosecution.
“Indeed, it is a settled principle of law that criminal offences are against the state.
“Until the state has exercised its discretion not to prosecute, the settlement between a nominal complainant and the accused person ought not to affect the criminal proceedings,” he said.
The judge dismissed the application by Baba 2010 and adjourned until April 11 for the trial of MTN and Moolman.
In a reaction, NCC lawyer and the commission’s Director of Prosecution, Mr Abdul-Ter Kohol, said the ruling was well considered by the court.
Lawyer to Baba 2010, Mr Rockson Igelige, on his part, said they would study the ruling to decide whether or not they would file an appeal.
News
NRC, Ponzi Scheme Collapses Resulting Loss of Billions of Naira

National Reading Culture (NRC), an online investment platform targeting Nigerians has collapsed, resulting in the loss of billions of Naira for investors.

The website unexpectedly shut down, blocking users from withdrawing their funds and locking in their investments.
Just like all other investment scams, victims were lured with promises of doubling their money in few weeks.
When National Reading Culture eventually crashed, the operators vanished with users’ funds, leaving investors devastated.
How the Platform WorkedTask-Based Earning:
According findings, National Reading Culture lured users with promises of making money by completing simple daily tasks like reading articles, clicking links, or inviting friends.
They also offered investment tiers to earn higher daily profits, where users had to deposit their own money into the platform.
Evidence showed the website previously operated as a Chinese job search platform before rebranding into an “earning” scheme.
News
NSITF Partners South African Insurer on Digital Transformation

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) to collaborate on digital transformation aimed at strengthening worker protection systems and support economic growth.

According to RMA, the agreement was concluded during a visit by its delegation to Abuja.
The partnership will focus on institutional capability development, modernising operating models, improving service delivery and sharing knowledge between the two organisations.
Through the partnership, RMA and NSITF will collaborate to strengthen institutional capability, modernise operating models, accelerate digital transformation and improve services for workers and employers.
The organisations will also explore opportunities for knowledge exchange and the adoption of best practices in social security administration.
RMA said the agreement forms part of its broader engagement with governments, regulators and social security institutions across Africa to support improvements in governance, operational resilience and service delivery.
“Our partnership with NSITF reflects much more than the signing of an agreement,” said Mandla Shezi, group chief executive officer of RMA. “This partnership is not simply about sharing knowledge. It is about co-creating the next generation of African social security systems.”
He added: “By combining our respective strengths, we can help build institutions that are more resilient, more responsive and better equipped to protect workers while supporting national development.”
Shezi said the future of social security depends on integrated systems where prevention, insurance, healthcare, rehabilitation, technology, investment management and institutional capability work together.
News
Microsoft to Lay Off 4,800 Workers

Microsoft has announced plans to cut about 4,800 jobs, representing roughly 2.1 percent of its global workforce, with Xbox, its gaming division, expected to bear the largest share of the layoffs.

The company said more than 1,600 positions at Xbox would be eliminated immediately, while another 1,600 jobs would be phased out over the next year as part of a major restructuring of the gaming business.
In a memo to employees, Amy Coleman, executive vice president, Microsoft, said the company was streamlining its operations to focus on areas that deliver greater value to customers in a rapidly changing technology industry.
Asha Sharma, chief executive officer, Xbox, described the move as “the most significant restructure in Xbox history,” saying the changes are intended to position the gaming business for long-term growth rather than downsizing.
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