COURT STOPS DSTV FROM INCREASING SUBSCRIPTION FEES

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday restrained Multichoice Nigeria Limited from going ahead with its recent decision to increase the subscription tariffs for DSTV, its satellite cable television service providers.

The restraining order was issued in respect of Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/894/18 brought before the court by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) in the light of the strong public interest raised in the application.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had granted the authority for the Council to initiate the suit under Section 10 and 16 of the Consumer Protection Council Act, Cap c25, LFN 2004.

In his order, the judge, Nnamdi Dimgba, said the interim injunction restrains Multichoice Nigeria or its agents and representatives from continuing the implementation of any increase in subscription rates or price review policy imposing increased charges and costs on the consumers pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Besides, the court also restrained DSTV from further carrying on or continuing any conduct or activity which interferes with or has effect of circumventing the outcome of ongoing investigations by the CPC into the company’s compliance or non-compliance with the February 16, 2016 order pending the determination of the motion on notice.

In July, MultiChoice Nigeria announced new monthly subscription rates for the DSTV Premium package from N14,700 to N15,800 (about 7.5 per cent) Compact Plus from N9,900 to N10,650; Compact bouquet from N6,300 to N6,800; Family from N3,800 to N4,000, and Access from N1,900 to N2,000.

The new rates took effect from August 1 this month.

The application was filed by the CPC on behalf of the federal government, with the Director General of the Council, Babatunde Irukera, leading other concerned Nigerians to appear in court for the case.

The application was accompanied with a nine-paragraph statement jointly signed by Messrs Irukera, Abimbola Ojenike, Eme David-Ojugo, Moray Adebayo, Teniola Medupin and Florence Abebe.

The CPC said in the statement that it has constitutional responsibility to protect the welfare and interest of consumers in Nigeria through the instrumentality of the Council.

In the exercise of its statutory mandate, the Council said it was conducting an investigation into DSTV’s compliance with its orders of February 16, 2016 over alleged unfairness, arbitrariness and excessiveness of pricing and billing systems.

Besides, the Council said it was also reviewing other emergent issues relating to whether DSTV‘s business practices and specific conducts were in violation of the law with respect to the rights of consumers in Nigeria.

The Council noted that in the course of its investigation and consultative engagement with the Multichoice Nigeria, DSTV “preemptively and surreptitiously introduced a subscription regime which imposes increased charges and costs on Nigerian Consumers of digital satellite television service with effect from 1st August, 2018”.

The agency argued that unless the court restrained Multichoice Nigeria, it was afraid DSTV or its representative would continue the implementation of the increased subscription rate.

The action, it pointed out, was capable of “rendering ineffective and nugatory the on-going regulatory investigation which seeks to prevent continuing exploitation of Nigerian consumers through obnoxious and exploitative billing systems and pricing regimes”.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the Defendant/Respondent by itself, agents, representatives, affiliates, officers or privies, howsoever described from continuing the implementation of any increased subscription rate or price review policy imposing increased charges and costs on the consumers of Defendant/Respondent’s services pending the determination of the Plaintiff/Applicant’s Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed in this suit,” Mr Dimgba said.

The CPC asked the court to accord the matter accelerated hearing so that the substantive issues raised would be determined and settled definitively and expeditiously.

Consequently, the court adjourned the case to Tuesday, August 28, for hearing.

When contacted, the spokesperson of Multichoice Nigeria Limited, Carole Oghuma, promised to send the company’s reaction to the court order. However, at the time of this publication, the response was yet to come in.

FINALLY, TIWA SAVAGE OPENS UP ON RELATIONSHIP WITH WIZKID

Mavin queen, Tiwa Savage has finally reacted to rumours of an intimate relationship between her and music star, Wizkid.

Tiwa Savage and Wizkid were spotted a few months ago in several pictures together. The duo even performed a few shows together and this led many speculating that perhaps there was something more between them.

However, speaking on SoundCity radio 98.5, at the weekend, Tiwa clarified that the relationship between them was not romantic in any way.
She said :

“We are friends definitely. To be honest, I think I have been in this industry for long time, I have grown a thick skin. So,comments like this, genuinely, honestly don't bother me that much. I am kinda used to it. Today it's Humblesmith, tomorrow it is Wiz. Its just what it is. Its part of the job.”

FORMER UN SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN DIES AT 80

 
Kofi Annan

The former United Nations Secretary-General, Koffi Annan, has died at the age of 80.

His foundation made the announcement in a statement on Saturday morning.

Mr Annan who was also a Nobel Peace Prize winner died in Switzerland after a brief illness.

“It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness,” the statement read in part.

The United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres has expressed sadness over the passing away of his predecessor, calling him “a guiding force for good”.

Mr Guterres in a statement said, “Kofi Annan was a guiding force for good.

“In many ways, Kofi Annan was the United Nations. He rose through the ranks to lead the organisation into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination,” he added.

Mr Annan was the first black African to take up the role of the world’s top diplomat, serving two terms as the UN Secretary-General from 1997 to 2006.

- Channels Television

PRESIDENT BUHARI RETURNS FROM LONDON VACATION

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to the country from his 10-day vacation in London.

The presidential aircraft arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Saturday evening.

President Buhari was received at the airport by some of his supporters, as well as top government officials and the nation’s service chiefs.

Shortly after his arrival, the President inspected a Guard of Honor mounted as part of activities to welcome him.

There was also a cultural display at the airport after which President Buhari left for the Presidential Villa amid tight security.

The President, who departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom on August 3, is expected to preside over a meeting with the security chiefs on Monday.

Prior to his trip, President Buhari had handed over power to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in acting capacity while he was away.

Before taking off in London, President Buhari had put a call through to President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, to sympathise with him on the death of former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Kofi Annan.

He noted the strategic influence of the diplomat in global affairs and his vision for the repositioning of the West Coast and Africa.

President Buhari also said that the exceptional leadership roles, humanitarian spirit, and contributions of the former UN chief to global peace and development would remain permanent in global history, especially his commitments to combating HIV/AIDS in Africa and launch of the UN Global Compact.

Mr Annan died on Saturday morning at the age of 80 in Switzerland after a brief illness.

Credit: Channels Television 

BREAKING: HEAVY SHOOTING REPORTED IN PARTS OF PORT HARCOURT AS BY-ELECTION EXERCISE TURNS VIOLENT

Some Residents of Port Harcout, the Rivers state capital, are reporting heavy shooting in the mile three (3) area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State as the Port Harcourt Constituency III by-election for a seat in the state House of Assembly is taking place.

Some residents say the gun shots are from thugs led by a former member of the Rivers state House of Assembly, who is now the Port Harcourt City local government chairman, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We could not verify the veracity this information as at the time of filing this report. 

Some All Progressives Congress (APC) agents also claimed PDP thugs are intimidating them at Ward 10, Unit 11 during the exercise.

In Ward 18, Unit 6, an APC member, John Orjiafor said the PDP guy hijacked the ballot box in the area, accusing the police on ground of aiding and abetting them.

He, however, called for the deployment of the SARS unit of the police to provide adequate security. The Rivers state police command had earlier announced a restriction of movement in some parts of the state for the election.

The state commissioner of police, Zaki Ahmed, said this directive will take effect from 6am to 6pm only in areas where voting is to take place. He also assured that adequate deployments of security personnel have been made to ensure a free, fair, credible and violence free election. 

This incidence is coming barely a week after the House of Representatives by-election in Lokoja/Kotonkarfe federal constituency in Kogi state on Saturday, August 11, was marred by violence as a supporter of the APC was stabbed to death.

The deceased, Yahaya Umoru, was stabbed to death by a supporter of rival political party, after he resisted attempts by thugs to cart away a ballot box. The thugs reportedly stormed a polling unit in Lokoja, the state capital, and attempted to forcefully take away the ballot box at the unit.

BREAKING: DETAILS OF VP OSINBAJO'S MEETING WITH GOVERNORS, SECURITY CHIEFS EMERGE

The National Economic Council (NEC) says the security situation in Benue Sate has improved.

Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, briefed State House correspondents after NEC meeting presided over by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday.

Abounu said that the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongunu, briefed the council on behalf of the various security agencies on the critical security issues nationwide.

“This ranges from kidnapping, gun-running, cattle rustling, tension between pastoralists and farmers, pipeline vandalism and communal clashes that exist nationwide.

“There is a synergy between the security agencies in tackling the menace of security issues in the county.

“NEC noticed of course, that there is lot of improvement in handling the insecurity situation in the country.

“A particular example that was given is the issue of pastoralists and farmers crisis in some parts of the country especially, North-Central, the North-West and other parts.

“For instance, the deployment of Operation Whirlstroke in Benue, has brought about improvement and especially put a near end to the killings that was very rampant in the area,” he said.

The deputy governor said that the state had started enjoying relative peace.

He said that the council decided that the military personnel in ‘Operation Whirlstroke’ should not be withdrawn in a hurry because their presence will bring about the needed stability.

According to him, such stability is needed to enable the internally displaced persons to return to their various localities.

Abounu said that troops had been deployed to the various flashpoints and a lot of improvements had been recorded.

He added that there were plans regarding the handling of other security problems especially pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta

CHELSEA'S WINGER VICTOR MOSES ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM NIGERIA'S INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Victor Moses

Chelsea winger Victor Moses has announced his international retirement from Nigeria.

The 27-year-old steps down after playing all three matches for Nigeria at World Cup 2018 in Russia, with the Super Eagles eliminated in the group stage.

Moses ends his international career with 37 caps and 12 goals. He played in two World Cups, and also helped the Super Eagles lift the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Chelsea man announced his international retirement with a post using his Twitter handle.

“I have experienced some of the best moments of my life wearing the Super Eagles shirt and have memories with me that will last a lifetime,” Moses said.

PRESIDENCY DEBUNKS BUHARI'S EXTENSION OF HIS D10-DAY VACATION IN LONDON

The Presidency has debunked the rumoured extension of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 10-day vacation in London.

On Tuesday night, stories emerged on social media that Buhari was planning to stay beyond his scheduled time.

But in reaction, the presidency via its verified Twitter handle, @NGRPresident, noted that a story published by Tribune Online, on February 5, 2017 “is currently being mischievously circulated on social media platforms, to create the impression that it’s related to the President’s current vacation.”

It warned the public to “kindly take note of the date, 2017.

“The President has NOT extended his ongoing 10-Working-Days vacation,” the Presidency maintained.

Recall that president Muhammadu Buhari left the country on August 3.

KIDNAPPING: GUNMEN DIVERT 18-SEATER BUS IN RIVERS

Unknown gunmen have diverted a commercial 18-seater bus along with its passengers into a forest around Omurelu-Elele-Owerri road axis in Rivers State.

It was gathered that the 18-seater bus was traveling from Owerri, in Imo State to Port Harcourt, Rivers State when they were ambushed by armed suspected kidnappers around Omurelu-Elele new road.

The Commander of the IGP Monitoring Unit in Rivers State, Ben Igwe who confirmed the development on telephone, said the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday.

“The incident happened and we are aware of it. Myself and my team are on top of the situation,” Igwe said

Igwe, who is the Deputy Commissioner of Police, assured that efforts were underway to rescue the kidnapped victims unhurt, as his team is leading the operation.

The commander of IGP Monitoring Unit also disclosed that the corpse of a Catholic priest who was kidnapped some weeks ago has been recovered after the kidnappers were believed to have collected ransom from the family of the victim.

In the meantime, a source from Omerelu community disclosed that mass arrest was ongoing in the community as a result of the crimes carried out in the area.

EMMANUEL AGUMA (SAN), RIVERS ATTORNEY-GENERAL, DIES IN LONDON

Late Emma Aguma (San)

Emmanuel Aguma, commissioner for justice and attorney-general of Rivers state, is dead.

Emma Okah, the state commissioner for information and communications, announced this in a statement on Friday.

He said the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) passed on while receiving treatment in a London hospital.

He described the death as a “monumental” loss to both the state and the family.

The statement read: “It is with very deep pain but gratitude to the Almighty God that the Rivers state government wishes to announce the demise of the state attorney general and commissioner for justice, Hon Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, today Friday 10th August, 2018 in a London hospital.

“Until his death, Emmanuel Chiwenwo Aguma, SAN served the state with amazing sense of responsibility, commitment, passion, competence and courage. At all times, even in his sick bed, his exemplary zeal to serve Rivers state never waned.

“Consequently, the Governor of Rivers state, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, GSSRS has approved that flags fly at half-mast for two days beginning from tomorrow Saturday 11th August, 2018 as a mark of honour to mourn the departed legend.

“Needless to say that Rivers state and indeed the nation will miss his versatility and invaluable contributions to the development of our state and Nigeria.

“This loss is monumental but we urge all people of goodwill to remember his wife, children, mother and the entire Late Chief Emmanuel W. Aguma family of Port Harcourt as well as the State in prayers.”