Category Nigeria News

MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its CEO, John Ugbe, are accused by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) of allegedly violating regulatory regulations and obstructing an ongoing investigation.

The three charges brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos alleged willful implementation of a price increase in contravention of the Commission’s orders, an offence that violates Section 33(4) of the FCCPC Act.

The company’s other allegations relate to its failure to follow instructions to suspend the raise in violation of Section 110 and its attempt to deceive the Commission by proceeding with the raise without making an objection against Section 159 (2), which is punishable under Section 159 (4) (a) and (b) of the FCCPA 2018 Act.

If NNPCL and Dangote End the Price War, Petrol Will Rise Above $1, 000.

For its DStv and GOtv subscription packages, which are scheduled to go into effect on March 1, 2025, MultiChoice announced a price increase on February 24, 2025.

The FCCPC intervened in response to the announcement, which came almost a year after a previous price increase.

In a letter to MultiChoice Nigeria on February 27, 2025, the FCCPC specifically instructed it to carry on with its current pricing structure until an investigation into its proposed price increase is concluded.

Despite these warnings, MultiChoice Nigeria allegedly proceeded with the price increase in violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.

The Commission claimed that MultiChoice violated regulatory regulations and showed a pattern of conduct that violates consumer rights and fair competition by disobeying its directive and implementing the price increase before appearing before the Commission’s investigative hearing on March 6, 2025.

To ensure compliance and accountability, the FCCPC disclosed that it is reviewing additional enforcement measures, including potential sanctions and penalties, and regulatory interventions.

A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sum of ₦1.37bn allegedly diverted from the coffers of the state government into a private account during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai between May 2015 and May 2023.

The money allegedly diverted into an account belonging to Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited was part of the funds released for a botched light rail project in the state during the past administration.

The presiding Judge, Justice H. Buhari, issued the forfeiture order on February 28, 2025, following an ex parte application brought before the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which traced the diverted fund to a private bank account.

The judge also directed ICPC to publish a notice in two national newspapers, calling for persons, whether human, juristic or artificial having interest in the property to show cause in court why the aforesaid movable property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

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The ICPC had on February 14, 2025, filed an ex parte application to the court, seeking the recovery of the money.

The commission argued that the light rail project was never executed under the El-Rufai administration, thereby depriving the people of Kaduna State of the benefits of the rail transportation system, which the fund was meant for.

In the ex parte application filed by its lawyer, E. O Akponimisingha on February 28, the ICPC alleged that the Kaduna State Government officials diverted the money through the Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig Limited, a joint venture entity set up in 2016 by the state government and Indian businesspeople.

While ruling on ICPC’s application, the judge ordered the interim forfeiture of the fund and also directed the commission to publish a notice in any two national newspapers requesting any person with interest in the money to present their claim and show cause in court why the asset should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a stern warning to the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), threatening to arrest him if he fails to appear before the House by Friday, March 7, 2025.

This development followed after a motion moved by a member, Enemi George, representing Asari-Toru Constituency 2, during Wednesday’s plenary session.

The electoral chief had earlier fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh Local Government (LG) poll in the state following a Supreme Court verdict that annulled the October 5, 2024 local government poll conducted in the state.

A new Local Government (LG) poll will be conducted in the state on August 9, 2025, according to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

At a stakeholder meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, the chief Electoral Commissioner, made the announcement.

The Supreme Court’s decision on Friday, which declared the state’s October 5, 2024, election invalid, followed.

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, assured the oil-rich state’s residents on Sunday that their administration would follow the Supreme Court’s order after a thorough examination of its Certified True Copy (CTC) copy.

Fubara revealed in a state broadcast on Sunday that he had spoken with his legal team about getting the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025.

He emphasized that his administration will follow the law and is committed to upholding constitutional principles.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling that invalidated the local government elections held on October 5, 2023, the governor also issued a command to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to immediately appoint the governor to lead the state’s 23 local government councils.

Read more: Supreme Court Declares End to River Impunity, Says Wike.

The State Electoral Commission will conduct new elections until Fubara’s declaration stated that the civil servants would take control of everything.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other organizations were ordered by the Supreme Court to refrain from releasing funds to the Rivers State government until it explicitly disobeyed court orders in a new judgment on Friday.

The five-man panel of the court unanimously rejected Fubara’s cross-appeal challenging the legitimacy of the House of Assembly, which Martin Amaewhule presided over as the Speaker.

President Donald Trump’s request to freeze some $ 2 billion in foreign aid payments was rejected on Wednesday by a divided US Supreme Court.

The court upheld a lower court’s request to pay the administration for payments on contracts that have already been paid for in its first significant decision regarding a legal challenge to Trump.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mukhtar Muhammed and Adeladan Olarinre as new permanent secretaries to fill vacancies in the Federal Civil Service.

Eno Olotu, the director of information and public relations for the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), made this known in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja.

Olarinre will represent Oyo State, and Muhammad will represent the region’s North-West geopolitical zone.

Olotu emphasized that the appointments were made in accordance with the administration’s commitment to excellence, competence, and meritocracy in the civil service.

She urged the new permanent secretaries to bring a wealth of their expertise and experience to their positions, which will advance the delivery of public services and advance the government’s development goals.

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To fill vacancies in various states and geopolitical zones, the federal government appointed eight new permanent secretaries from Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kebbi, Rivers, and Kaduna.

This builds on the eight permanent secretaries from the Southeast and South-South regions that were appointed in June 2024, including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara, and.

Didi Walson-Jack, the head of the Federation’s civil service, praised President Tinubu for his commitment to upholding accountability, meritocracy, and professionalism.

She claimed that the appointments show how committed the administration is to providing a competent and results-oriented public service that meets Nigerian standards.