Broadcasting
Multichoice Nigeria Reportedly Defrauded of N7.9Bn
Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DStv and GOtv, popular cable television services was allegedly defrauded of the total sum of N7.9 billion.
Premium Times citing court documents reported that the botched foreign currency exchange transaction involved Akintunde Giwa, a currency exchange broker; JNFX Limited, a currency exchange firm; Ashay Mervyn, a representative of JNFX, and Frontier Financial Technologies Limited.
Mr Giwa is a currency exchange broker who earns a commission by assisting those looking to buy US dollars with Nigerian Naira. JNFX is a private limited company incorporated in England and engaged in foreign exchange and international money transfer business.
Frontier Financial Technologies Limited is a Nigerian company where Mr Mervyn is a director, court documents showed.
The case was brought before Stuart Isaacs, who sat as a Deputy Judge of the High Court, in the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales.
The judgment was delivered remotely to the parties’ representatives by e-mail and released to the National Archives on 2 April.
While the claimant, Mr Giwa, was represented by Matthew Bradley and Rumen Cholakov as instructed by Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP, Joseph Wigley (instructed by Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP) appeared on behalf of the first defendant, JNFX Limited.
Mr Mervyn and Frontier Financial Technologies Limited – listed as second and fourth defendants, respectively – had no representatives in the case.
The claim against the third defendant, JNFX Nigeria Limited, was discontinued and the company was excluded from the judgment.
Botched Contract
Premium Times review of court documents showed that MultiChoice Nigeria had engaged Mr Giwa and his companies for many years to arrange the exchange of Naira for dollars in connection with MultiChoice Nigeria’s business.
According to Mr Giwa, he acted on Multichoice Nigeria’s behalf in arranging with JNFX, under 10 Multichoice contracts, for the exchange of Naira into dollars.
In the proceedings at the UK court, MultiChoice Nigeria assigned its claims to Mr Giwa, whose primary dealings with JNFX were conducted with Mr Mervyn, a representative of JNFX “who had ostensible if not actual authority from JNFX to enter into the MultiChoice Contracts.”
Court documents showed that Multichoice Nigeria Limited paid N7.9 billion (N7,914,209.196.50) to Mr Giwa, the currency exchange broker, who in turn made payments to JNFX Limited, a currency exchange firm, under the MultiChoice contracts.
Details showed that the satellite service company paid the Naira into the bank accounts of companies controlled by Mr Giwa and were then sent to bank accounts nominated by JNFX through Mr Mervyn in return for dollars to be paid into an account held at Standard Chartered Bank in London in the name of MultiChoice Africa, another company within the MultiChoice group of companies.
However, no dollar payments (amounting to $16.2 million) were received by the company in return, according to Mr Giwa.
Backend Details
From early 2021, court documents show, Mr Mervyn increasingly instructed Mr Giwa to send the Naira to a bank account held at First City Monument Bank in Nigeria in the name of Frontier Limited.
Mr Giwa alleged that JNFX and Mr Mervyn failed to pay into the MultiChoice Account the full equivalent dollar sums or to reimburse MultiChoice Nigeria its Naira. A total of N7.9 billion (N7,914,209.196.50) was paid to JNFX under the MultiChoice contracts for which no dollar payments (amounting to $16,230,369) were received in return.
The tenth and last contract, concluded on 8 September 2021, provided for the conversion of N4.9 billion into $10 million but no dollar sum was paid in return for the Naira amount paid.
Meanwhile, the court documents showed that Mr Mervyn and Frontier, a Nigerian company where Mr Mervyn is a director, have not responded to the claims against them and have taken no part in the proceedings.
Interestingly, Mr Mervyn had been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of obtaining money under false pretence and fraudulent conversion of funds. The UK court said that his whereabouts are unknown and a worldwide freezing order (WFO) had earlier been granted against him and Frontier in 2022 but was discontinued in June 2023.
JNFX in its argument stated, among others, that Mr Mervyn lacked actual authority to enter into the Multichoice contract and act as its agent.
Arguments
In his arguments, Mr Giwa, on whom the burden of proof lies, submitted that JNFX has no realistic prospect of showing that Mr Mervyn is not guilty of deceit and lacked ostensible authority to act as its agent in entering into the MultiChoice contracts and that it is not therefore liable for Mr Mervyn’s deceit. He also argued against the claim that JNFX would not in any event have been obliged to fulfil any of its obligations under the MultiChoice contracts due to the requirement in its standard terms of business which would have governed them that all payments to it must be made to a bank account in the name of JNFX.
JNFX on its part argued that the quantum of Mr Giwa’s claim should be reduced to $8.4 million ($8,429,369) in light of dollar payments made by it for which no credit has been given, adding that his application raises complex issues of fact which need to be the subject of disclosure and evidence at a trial.
Mr Giwa submitted that the defendants have no real prospect of defending the claim and that there is no other compelling reason for a trial. He argued that he is entitled to summary judgment; and that the amended defence discloses no reasonable grounds for defending the claim. JNFX, on its part, submitted that its defence has a real prospect of success, and that summary judgment should therefore be refused.
JNFX argued that the failure of Mr Mervyn to fulfil his intention and execute the exchange contract is not evidence of the falsity of those intentions when made. Based in particular on the evidence of JNFX’s solicitors, the company claimed that it was “perfectly possible” that Mr Mervyn only subsequently got into difficulties related to the depreciation of the Naira against the dollar which resulted in his original intentions not being able to be fulfilled.
Verdict
The court agreed that the matters presented by Mr Giwa are not themselves evidence of the falsity of Mr Mervyn’s intentions on which the contractual agreements are founded. But when taken together with all the other matters relied on, the court rejected JNFX’s solicitors’ alternative explanation as the more plausible explanation.
Commenting on JNFX’s claim that Mr Mervyn had no actual authority to represent the company, the court dismissed the claim and agreed with Mr Giwa based on the facts that Mr Mervyn corresponded from a JNFX email address, was described in the emails’ signature block as JNFX’s “Head of Global Markets” with the contact and website details of JNFX given, and also described himself as “Head of Emerging Markets”.
“Importantly, it is also clear that Mr Green (JNFX’s managing director) and Mr Eisenberg (of JNFX) were aware from having been copied into or forwarded communications from Mr Mervyn to Mr Giwa and third parties such as MultiChoice and Dubai Islamic Bank of the role being claimed by Mr Mervyn and at no time disclaimed that role or indicated that he lacked the authority to transact the business which he was transacting,” the court ruled.
After reviewing the various arguments and evidence presented by the parties, the court held that Mr Giwa is entitled to summary judgment in respect of his claim of deceit against JNFX and Mr Mervyn in the sum of N7.9 billion (N7,914,209.196.50) together with interest.
It also held that JNFX’s defence be struck out to the extent that it pleads a defence to the claim of deceit, and refused permission to amend JNFX’s defence in so far as the amendments relate to a defence to the claim of deceit.
“The application for summary judgment or to strike out JNFX’s Defence so far as concerns the contractual claim against JNFX is dismissed and that claim shall proceed to trial,” the court held.
Credit: Premium Times
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.
Broadcasting
Davido, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Karl Toriola, Others To Be Honoured At The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards In Lagos
Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is excited to announce the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025, a week-long celebration of African art, culture, innovation, and connection, culminating in the End of the Year Awards & Celebration on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards
This historic occasion marks the first time the world-famous Most Influential 100 Recognition & Awards Ceremony—traditionally held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)—will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria.
The week will feature events such as Diaspora Day at the Fela Exhibition (Afrobeat Meets Diaspora), Cultural Heritage Day, and Business Leadership Luncheons, all culminating in the awards celebration.
The evening will honor the Best & Brightest of the Year, recognizing exceptional individuals and institutions whose work has advanced Global African Achievement and Black Excellence across business, government, media, culture, and technology.
Key Recognitions for 2025
– Governor of the Year & City of the Year: His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, honored alongside Lagos as City of the Year for its global leadership in culture, innovation, tourism, and diaspora engagement.
– Her Excellency Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, will be honoured as Minister of the Year for her contribution to the creative economy’s role in nation branding and cultural diplomacy.
– Most Influential Woman of the Year: Olorì Atúwàtse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom
– Most Influential Man of the Year: Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, OANDO
– CEO of the Year: Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria; who will deliver a keynote address, recognized for his transformative leadership and impact on Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.
Others include; Karl Toriola of MTN as CEO of the year, Uche Pedro of Bella Naija as Lifestyle Personality Of The Year, Ojy Okpe of Artise News as Most Influential News Anchor Of The Year, Stephanie Busari as Media Executive of the Year, Kayode Okikiolu as Pressman of the year, Davido as Artist of the year and several others.
In celebrating this year’s honorees, Michael Ehindero, Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, owners of Martell Cognac, who emerged as Brand Of The Year expressed deep appreciation for the brand’s continued global recognition, saying: “It’s a great reward for the team who’s delivered Martell excellently in Nigeria over the years.
“We say thank you to the teams, we say thank you to our consumers and we say thank you to MIPAD.
“Martell has a lot of promising experiences in the years to come in Nigeria and with this we invite you over to Nigeria to experience Detty December”.
The ceremony will also celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 Honorees, alongside past Nigerian honorees who were unable to attend their year of recognition in New York.
“For the first time, we’re bringing our world-famous recognition platform home to celebrate excellence within the Global Africa Family — right here in Lagos,” said Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of MIPAD. “This is more than an event; it’s a movement uniting the best of us — connecting, collaborating, and working together to change the world.”
Event Details
📍 Lagos, Nigeria
– Friday, Dec 19 – #DettyDec Diaspora Day at Fela Exhibition FREE
– Sunday, Dec 21 – End of Year Recognition & Award Ceremony STRICTLY BY INVITATION
🎟️ RSVP: https://rsvp.oakenevents.com/mipad
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called for urgent adoption of advanced digital protections after blocking seven piracy sites amid escalating online threats to Nollywood content.
The call was made during a webinar hosted by Greychapel Legal titled “Clicks, Streams, and Copyright: Who Owns Nollywood’s Digital Future?”, which brought together filmmakers, regulators, entertainment lawyers and media strategists to examine how content ownership and copyright enforcement are being reshaped by the digital age.
Lynda Alphaeus, director and head of the NCC Lagos Office, said the Commission has intensified its efforts to combat piracy across digital channels and is upgrading its operations to meet emerging threats.
According to her, Nigeria’s new Copyright Act was deliberately updated to strengthen creators’ rights amid the explosion of online distribution.
“NCC has worked, and is still working tirelessly to adapt Nigeria’s legal framework to cope with digital distribution challenges. We now have the power to block networks publishing illegal content, and we have already blocked seven websites distributing pirated Nigerian works,” Alphaeus said.
She revealed that the Commission has established a special taskforce known as the STOP Unit to coordinate anti-piracy operations online, alongside new awareness campaigns targeting local markets and schools to educate content creators and the public on copyright obligations.
Alphaeus urged filmmakers and producers to take ownership of their digital safety by deploying available technological protections to safeguard their intellectual property.
She explained that tools such as encryption help prevent unauthorised copying, blockchain technology offers immutable proof of ownership, digital watermarking allows creators to trace illegal uploads, while cloud security and regular offline backups protect creative files before they reach the market.
While noting that copyright in Nigeria does not legally require registration, she stressed that registering one’s work strengthens protection and provides legal presumptions that can be vital in enforcement.
“Whatever you register is presumed to be yours until proven otherwise,” she said, urging creators to invest in copyright knowledge as part of their business strategy.
Other speakers at the webinar reinforced the urgency of protecting Nollywood’s digital assets.
James Omokwe, film director, noted that while streaming platforms have created unprecedented opportunities for visibility and monetisation, they have also opened new vectors for intellectual property theft and unauthorised redistribution.
Solafunmi Laelle, media strategist, added that audience data, which streaming platforms rely heavily on, will increasingly determine leverage and value in film licensing negotiations.
According to her, creators who lose control of their intellectual property, whether through piracy or unfavourable contracts, also lose access to valuable data that could shape their long-term earnings.
Nky Ofeimun, entertainment lawyer, emphasised the need for creators to understand the contractual implications of ownership, platform exclusivity, and reversion rights.
She noted that many filmmakers still underestimate how quickly digital copies can be illegally duplicated or uploaded once control is lost.
The panelists agreed that as Nollywood deepens its digital footprint, piracy will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated.
They stressed that the industry must respond with equally sophisticated tools, stronger contract negotiation, and improved education around copyright.
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