The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Friday, ordered MTN Nigeria Communications Limited to pay N15 million damages over the unlawful deduction of a subscriber’s airtime through unsolicited services.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, described as fraudulent, the regular deduction of airtime of customers by the telecommunication giant, for the auto-renewal of services not subscribed to.

It further held that the sending of unwarranted text messages by the company amounted to a breach of subscribers’ right to privacy under section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as the violation of Regulation 28 of Consumer Code of Practice Regulations.

The judgement followed an appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/137/2022, which was brought before the court by an aggrieved customer, Mr. Ezugwu Anene.

Anene had approached the court, alleging that he received over 244 unsolicited text messages from MTN for Weekly Guidance and Counseling, a service he said he did not subscribe to.

He told the court that from 2016 to 2018, N20 was unlawfully deducted from his airtime balance, each time he received the text message on his mobile telephone line he gave as 08030735301.

The Appellant alleged that MTN continued to deduct his airtime for Caller Tune Services that was imposed on him.

He told the court that the unwanted deductions persisted, even though he protested at the Abuja office of the telecommunication company and also used a code, 2442, which he was told would activate a Do Not Disturb service on his line.

The price of de-stoned local rice has dropped marginally by six and 10 per cent in Enugu markets, causing many residents to shift patronage to the brand.

The dealers in the commodity attributed the positive development to the harvest season for local rice.

A popular Ogbete Main Market trader, Rose Nwakwo, said that a 50-kg bag now goes for N78,000 as against N84,000 in November.

Another dealer at Garki Market, Enugu, Chidi Orji, said that a five-litre paint container goes for N6,500 as opposed to N7,500.

Mr Orji urged the residents to buy as much as possible before the price would increase again.

Most rice retailers and hawkers selling in cups and bushels are currently stockpiling the commodity.

Eunice Madu, a grain seller in Mayor Market, said she was only stocking bags of the brand for the yuletide.

“I must confess we are selling out almost all our available bags of de-stoned local rice, popularly known as ‘Abakaliki rice’, ahead of the yuletide.
“Most people are turning to it due to its price drop and improved processing and de-stoning qualities,” she said.

Meanwhile, a buyer, Edwin Okoh, expressed joy over the price drop, saying that his salary could get him more than 50kg of the brand for his family.

“It is a thing of joy that the price has gone down to some extent, at least I can get more than a bag for me and my extended family during this yuletide,” he said.

(NAN)

Fuji maestro Pasuma’s 40 years on stage Lagos concert, held at the Sheraton Balmoral Hall, Ikeja, on Tuesday, is notable for several reasons.

Aside from marking four decades of Pasuma’s illustrious career and electrifying performances, it also saw fuji icons Kollington Ayinla and Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, reunite.

The highlight of the evening was the emotional reunion between Kwam 1 and Kollington, two Fuji legends whose strained relationship had long been a subject of public interest.

Their rivalry has always revolved around supremacy in fuji music, with their fans usually pitting them against each other, a trend that has trailed the genre for decades.

However, at the gathering hosted by singer Alariwo of Africa, the music icons were spotted sharing lighthearted moments, chatting, laughing, and posing for photographs as fans and media scrambled to get photos of the landmark moment.

Also at the gathering, Saheed Osupa and Pasuma, who recently ended their long-standing feud, shared a rare moment of friendship as they hugged and shared the stage. Thereafter, Osupa, Pasuma, and Malaika challenged each other on stage to a fuji singing marathon battle, much to the admiration of their fans. Their performances and camaraderie elevated the night to a truly historic occasion. Portable also graced the event.

Goodwill messages

On the other hand, intermittently during his performance, Pasuma spoke about his music journey and how he has grown through the ranks and grown a loyal fan base beyond the shores of Nigeria.

In his remarks, Koliington, who also graced the stage, said, ‘‘On behalf of all Fuji practitioners home and abroad in the Diaspora, we congratulate you. You will continue to excel in your generation. Forty years on stage is not a joke. You shall continue to rise and rise … (You will not die on the road like smoke, but you will get to the promised land, your answered prayers will not suddenly become confusing) singing’’.

Kwam 1 said: ‘‘You are up already, and you will not fall. You will not die young. Whoever is unhappy with what you have done today, only God can determine the end of such people. What has allowed two elders (Kollington &Wasiu) to be in attendance for what you are doing today? You will continue to do greater things’’.

Ending the day on a high note, Pasuma surprised band members who had spent 30 years and beyond with N10m each.

Pasuma, an aspiring footballer turned singer who nursed the ambition of competing for Nigeria in the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship in China, was raised in the Lagos state neighbourhood of Mushin. He chose to do music because he was excluded from the 1985 squad that participated in the FIFA/KODAK World championship in China, which Nigeria ultimately won.

Inspired by his role model, K1 de Ultimate, Pasuma began writing songs in 1984. In 1993, he released “Recognition,” his debut album. Since then, he’s put out more than 30 albums.