Broadcasting
SERAP Sues Buhari, Ministers over Failure to Unblock Lines of 72m Subscribers
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a suit against President Muhammadu Buhari and two Ministers “over the failure to unblock the phone lines of over 72 million telecommunication subscribers barred from making calls on their SIMs.”
This followed their refusal to yield to SERAP’s earlier demand on the matter.
The latest move by the public watchdog body in a statement signed Sunday by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director.
The suit followed the recent directive by the Federal Government (FG) to telecommunications companies to block outgoing calls on all unlinked lines, as the deadline for the verification expired on March 31.
Following the directive, over 72 million subscribers have now been barred from making calls.
In the suit number FHC/L/CS/711/2022 filed last week at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP said it was seeking: “an order setting aside the directive by President Buhari to telecommunications companies to block outgoing calls on all unlinked lines without due process of law, and for being inconsistent with the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.”
SERAP in addition said it was seeking “an order of perpetual injunction restraining President Buhari and the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami from unlawfully directing telecommunications companies to block outgoing calls on all unlinked lines, without due process and in violation of Nigerians’ human rights.”
Similarly, the body is seeking “an order directing and compelling President Buhari to ensure adequate infrastructure and logistics to allow Nigerians including persons with disabilities, older persons and persons living in remote areas, to capture their data and conclude registration to obtain National Identity Number (NIN).”
In the suit, the statement indicated SERAP is at variance with order, “directing and compelling the Federal Government to unblock the phone lines unlawfully barred would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and the country’s international obligations to respect, protect, and promote socio-economic rights.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Where agencies of government are allowed to operate at large and at their whims and caprices in the guise of performing their statutory duties, the end result will be anarchy, and authoritarianism, leading to the loss of the much cherished and constitutionally guaranteed freedom and liberty.”
It contends: “It is in the interest of justice to grant this application. Access to telecommunications services is a condition sine qua non for the effective exercise of human rights. Therefore, the decision to block people from making calls is discriminatory, and a travesty.”
“The blocking of phone lines of Nigerians without due process of law has disproportionately affected those on the margins of society. This has resulted in the discrimination of marginalized or vulnerable groups.”
Joined in the suit as Respondents are Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Mr Isa Pantami.
The suit which the statement stated was filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi, read in part: “While Nigerian authorities have a legal responsibility to protect, ensure and secure the rights to life and property, any such responsibility ought to be discharged in conformity with human rights standards.”
“Fundamental rights are regarded as part of human rights and are protected to enhance human dignity and liberty.”
“Unblocking the phone lines unlawfully barred from making calls would improve respect for the rule of law, and ensure people’s right to freedom of expression, and access to information, as well as their right to associate with others.”
“The blocking of people from making calls constitutes impermissible restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, information, and association.”
“The rights to freedom of opinion and expression and access to information are protected under section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.”
“These rights must be protected online as they are protected offline. Any restriction on these rights must be provided by law, be necessary in a democratic society and serve a legitimate aim.”
“The blocking of people from making calls on their SIMs also amounts to an arbitrary or unlawful interference with their right to family life, and socio-economic rights, as it unnecessarily or disproportionately interferes with these fundamental human rights.”
“The decision to block the phone lines also appears to be arbitrary, and lacks any legal framework, independent and judicial oversight. This may allow authorities to act in an unfettered and potentially arbitrary or unlawful manner.”
“Under international human rights law, States including Nigeria ‘shall not engage in or condone any disruption of access to digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.’ States must refrain from cutting off access to telecommunications services.”
“Millions of Nigerians including persons with disabilities, elderly citizens, persons living in remote areas have been unable to capture their biometrics, and obtain their NINs due to logistical challenges, administrative and bureaucratic burdens, as well as the persistent collapse of the national grid.”
“The rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and freedom of association, whether offline or online, promote the democratic ideal by allowing citizens to voice their concerns, challenge governmental institutions, and hold the government accountable for its actions.”
Recall that SERAP had about two weeks ago urged President Buhari to order reversal of the plan by the FG to block SIMs not linked with the subscribers NINs.
The body threatened legal action against the FG fails to yield to its demand.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has officially granted a direct satellite broadcasting (DSB) television licence to Voice of the East Media Limited.
This contained a letter published on the official social media pages of Voice of the East.
Gaius Chibueze, chairman of Eastside Ventures and founder of Voice of the East-Ndi Igbo, stated in a statement via his verified Facebook page that, with the licence, Voice of the East can operate a terrestrial television channel, a digital media broadcasting network, and other services.
He further stated that he founded Voice of the East eight years ago to promote Igbo excellence and defend the interests of Ndi Igbo.
He added that the NBC approval marked a new chapter in their mission to inform, educate, and influence people and society.
“From integrity to innovation, we are committed to delivering content that not only informs and educates but also inspires positive change. Our dedication to diversity and inclusivity drives us to represent and empower voices from all walks of life,” Chibueze said.
Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, media consultant and founder of Visage Media, commented on the development and noted that Voice of the East, from its humble beginning, has grown to be the number one social media platform for Ndi Igbo, where they go for everything Ndi Igbo.
He stated that Gaius Chibueze discovered a market and a niche when many people were not paying attention and built a brand around them.
“Voice of the East will begin operations in December and will be available on DSTV near you,” Iwuchukwu added.
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has declined to oppose the preliminary objection of Multichoice Nigeria, Pay-TV operator, which challenged the jurisdiction of a court sitting in Abuja that recently restrained it from increasing the prices of its DStv and GOtv packages.
Nikiomari Abeke, counsel for the FCCPC, told the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) on Thursday that he was not opposing the application of Multichoice Nigeria.
Recall that the he tribunal had restrained MultiChoice from increasing its subscription rates pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice filed by Festus Onifade through Ejiro Awaritoma, his lawyer,.
Onifade, who sued Multichoice Nigeria Ltd, had accused the former of unjustly increasing subscription fees without one month’s notice to customers, seeking interim orders against the Pay TV.
A three-member tribunal, chaired by Saratu Shafii, had ruled in favor of Onifade by restraining Multichoice in the interim, in the suit marked CCPT/OP/2/2024.
The court held that “the 1st Defendant(Multichoice) is hereby restrained, whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called, from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed before this Honourable Tribunal.”
But M.J. Onibanjo (SAN), Multichoice’s lawyer, filed a preliminary objection urging the court to decline jurisdiction on the suit filed by Festus Onifade because such price dispute case had been decided before in favor of his client.
Onifade also asked the tribunal to direct Multichoice Nigeria Limited to pay the sum of N1 billion or any amount the tribunal deemed fit in this circumstance for “deliberately disobeying, contravening, and failure to comply with the Interim Order of this Honourable Tribunal granted on the 29th April, 2024.”
At the resumed sitting, Onibanjo tendered and adopted the previous judgment of the tribunal in suit no CCPT/OP/1/2022(Exhibit A), alongside his application, saying when a court had determined an issue between the same parties on the same subject matter before, that matter cannot be re-litigated again by any tribunal or court.
“This tribunal cannot sit on appeal on its decision. This tribunal is bound by its own decision in Exhibit A; that it is not the forum where the claimant can come to seek to regulate the prices and services offered by Multichoice,” Onibanjo said, urging the tribunal to strike out the suit.
On his part, Onifade argued that the issue he placed before the court is whether Multichoice Nigeria gave adequate notice in respect of the May 1, 2024 price TV subscription increase, and not price regulation or increase.
“It is our submission that the eight-day notice issued by Multichoice Nigeria is insufficient in law. A monthly subscriber should be given at least a month.
The FCCP counsel, Abeke, said his client “is not in opposition of the first defendant (Multichoice) and to that extent, no process and no counter was filed to the motion of the first defendant.”
After hearing from the parties, the three-man panel chaired by Justice Thomas Okosu adjourned the suit to June 7 for ruling.
Multichoice announced new price adjustments on DStv and GOtv packages on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Nigeria’s customer-focused telecommunications company, 9mobile, has unveiled Treelz, an innovative digital entertainment platform for customers on the 9mobile network.
Treelz is a platform designed for customers to experience a world of entertainment through Movies, e-learning, fun videos, gaming, music, sports, photo filters and lots more!
Speaking during the unveiling, the Products and Digital Services Champion at 9mobile, John Muo, stated that, “Treelz is a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem that combines advanced features and seamless connectivity to deliver an unparalleled user experience.
With Treelz, users can enjoy a wide range of exciting and engaging rich media contents, including video games, movie and music hubs, sports and e-learning platforms, which are all accessible through a single, intuitive platform.”
“Treelz is available on the 9mobile website and can be accessed under the “Digital Services” tab on 9mobile.com.ng or by simply clicking the link https://9mobile.com.ng/treelz.
Customers who are not on the 9mobile network but wish to enjoy the thrills of the platform should activate a 9mobile SIM or port their existing line to 9mobile to enjoy the service,” Mou added.
The platform represents the culmination of 9mobile’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity, offering unparalleled features and capabilities.
Customers can access the rich contents on Treelz for as low as N30 per service via airtime subscription only. The daily or weekly subscription guarantees access to play games, watch movie, and listen to music on the website.
Chineze Amanfo, Public Relations Lead at 9mobile, while expressing her delight at the unveiling said, “The expertise and influence of the media are invaluable in helping 9mobile spread the word about this groundbreaking platform and its transformative impact on communication and entertainment.
Your endorsement and coverage will not only help raise awareness about Treelz by 9mobile but also empower individuals to embrace its unique qualities especially its ability to entertain and educate.”
With Treelz, 9mobile continues to push the boundaries of innovation within the digital interactive space. Experience the power of seamless connectivity, enhanced collaboration, and unmatched convenience with Treelz by 9mobile.
NDIC Gets Court Order, to Wind Down 96 Microfinance, Mortgage Banks
CBN Finally Makes U-turn, Withdraws Circular on Cybersecurity Levy
NIGCOMSAT Plans Dedicated Satellite for Military Operations
WHO Prequalifies New Dengue Vaccine
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Doubles Price for Starlink Global Roaming Plan
60 Hearty Cheers to Chioma Ekeh, Africa’s Leading Unusual Female Tech
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
World Earth Day: Kuda Partners with Wecyclers to Clean up Communities in Lagos
INTERPOL Appoints Uche, Nigerian CP as Chairman, African Heads of Cybercrime Units
Odu’a Investment Declares N1.961Bn as Profit Before Tax
Telecom3 days agoNCC Temporarily Suspends Issuance of New Licenses
News3 days agoAfreximbank Deepens Ties On $350m Project Support Facility
News3 days agoTI-Nigeria Boss Alleges Nigerian Banks Offer Opportunities for Terrorism Tinancing
Telecom3 days agoCable Cuts Expose Vulnerabilities in Africa’s Internet Infrastructure
E-Financial3 days agoCrypto Exchanges Begin Delisting Naira from P2P Platforms- SEC
Telecom3 days agoNigeria’s Omoniyi Ibietan, elected Secretary-General of APRA
News3 days agoCourt Denies Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan Bail
E-Financial14 hours agoNDIC Gets Court Order, to Wind Down 96 Microfinance, Mortgage Banks