The Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) successfully held its 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at The Zone, Gbagada Expressway, Lagos. The event addressed key matters essential to the Company’s continued growth and sustainability.

The AGM’s agenda focused on four critical issues:

Approval of Financial Statements: The society’s audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2023, along with the auditor’s and directors’ reports, were presented and adopted. The external auditor, Olukayode Timehim & Co, provided the audit report, reflecting strong financial oversight.

Review of Auditor Engagement: Members discussed the auditor’s position and authorised the Board to make any necessary changes and determine their remuneration.

Board Elections: Four vacant seats on the Management Board were filled through elections conducted in line with the organization’s Articles of Association. Two incumbent directors, including the Chairman, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun and Chief Peddie Okao, were re-elected after retiring, while two new directors, Lancelot Imaseun and Nafisat Abdullahi, joined the Board.

Authorization for Royalty Distribution: Approval was granted to carry out distribution as soon as practicable in accordance with Article 16 of the society’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The chairman, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, presented a report on distributions between January 2023 and March 2024, revealing that over N45 million in royalties had been distributed to members with verified account information.

He also highlighted AVRS’s efforts to engage with users of audiovisual works, focusing on hotels and other similar establishments. “Our partnership with hotel associations in Lagos and Abuja, through group licensing agreements, has enabled smoother operations and fostered mutual understanding,” the chairman stated. These agreements, expiring in December, are already under renegotiation to align with market developments and industry needs. He commended the President of Hotel Owners & Managers Association of Lagos (HOMAL), Chief Samuel Alabi for the continued compliance of its members to AVRS licensing obligations.

On enforcement efforts, Mr. Ali-Balogun detailed AVRS’s collaboration with the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to ensure compliance from non-cooperative hotels, particularly in Abuja.

“Enforcement actions, though challenging and costly, are essential to uphold the rights of our members and protect the value of their works,” he remarked.

In a significant development, the chairman confirmed progress on the Private Copying Levy, with substantial funds already collected and awaiting distribution to relevant Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) and rightsholders.

Members commended the Board and management for their dedication and sacrifice and expressed appreciation for the chairman’s exemplary leadership throughout the year.

Apart from the returning AVRS Directors, Alh.Sani Muazu, Prince Jide Kosoko, Monalisa Chinda, Barr. Norbert Ajaegbu, Chief Rotimi Aina-Kushoro, Yemi Solade, Tunji Ojetola and Mrs. Bukola Adeyemi (GM); the general meeting featured the presence of many film industry heavyweights, including Zeb Ejiro, Emeka Ossai, Zik Zulu Okafor, Mike Nliam, Abdulrazak Abdullahi, Toyin Uthman, Lekan Oyegoke, Banke Ajani, Alex Eyengho and Francis Onwochei, who anchored the AGM with AVRS Consultant, Dr. Chinedu Chukwuji.

Representatives from the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), led by Mrs. Lynda Alphaeus, Director of the Lagos Office; Mr. Adeniyi Ologun Director General, HOMAL representing the President and reps of the media were also in attendance.

Omowunmi, widow of the late singer and rapper, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad, has expressed readiness to conduct a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test to determine the paternity of their only son, Liam.

PUNCH Metro reported that the deceased singer’s father, Joseph Aloba, filed a suit seeking a DNA test for his grandson.

In the application filed by the legal team to Joseph, the family sought an order to serve Wunmi by posting all the originating processes and other processes in the suit on the last-known address of the respondent.

The family’s legal team led by Emmanuel Oroko, however, argued that attempts to serve Wunmi failed.

The Magistrates Court, during its sitting on July 9, 2024, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, directed both parties to explore an alternative dispute resolution, leading to closed-door negotiations that also failed to yield an agreement.

In a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro on Sunday, a representative of the family’s legal team, Monisola Odumosu, stated that Wunmi had agreed to carry out the DNA.

Odumosu added that this was followed by the settlement terms drafted by both parties.

Odumosu in the statement disclosed that, “Emmanuel Oroko informed the court that both parties had settled outside the court and are ready to move the terms of the settlement already filed and served on Wunmi Aloba’s lawyers. In response, Kabir Akingbolu, Esq. (leading Adams Atata Esq. and M.K.O Orire Esq.) concurred, and the court adopted the terms of settlement as the judgment of the court.

According to Odumosu, Mohbad’s widow agreed in the terms of the settlement that the DNA test be conducted in a recognised and accredited government or private medical facility within Lagos State or another agreeable hospital outside the state.

The lawyer also noted that Mohbad’s father had agreed to bear the cost of the test processes and other associated fees.

“In the terms filed before the court, the respondent, Wunmi Aloba, consented to submit herself and her son, (Master Liam Aloba), for the conduct of a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) at Two (2) recognised and accredited government or private medical facilities within Lagos State or other agreeable hospital outside Lagos State. In turn, the applicant, Mr. Joseph Aloba, agreed to bear the cost of the DNA test processes, including the fees for the testing facility, the collection of samples, and any associated legal or administrative fees.

“The court further ordered that the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test be conducted at a mutually agreed-upon laboratory or medical centre within Nigeria. To ensure and ascertain the reliability of the test, the court further appointed some officers to supervise the process of the DNA test,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, according to the statement, the court also ordered that both parties should bear their respective costs regarding this case except the processing of the DNA tests the applicant undertook to bear.

Mohbad died at the age of 27, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.

Being a former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022. The Lagos State Police Command had on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.

His death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, amongst others.

The body of Mohbad was on September 21, 2023, exhumed for autopsy to unravel the cause of his death.

Meanwhile, some observers from various countries have raised concerns over the coroner’s inquest into Mohbad’s death, citing alleged unfair proceedings and potential suppression of evidence.

The group, in a statement on Sunday, stated that they were advocating truth, fairness, equity, and accountability, and had been monitoring the court sitting at Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria.

The observers expressed reservations about adjournments of the proceedings and other factors they alleged threatened justice for Mohbad.

During the cross-examination of Mohbad’s widow, Omowunmi Adebanjo, the observers also alleged that counsels were constantly interjected and prevented from gathering desired information.

Popular content creator, Jarvis laments over the increasing swell on her jawline as she seeks help from Nigerians.

It would be recalled that Jarvis had revealed that she had to pause her Robot contents because of the tumor on her jawline.

In a video that was shared on social media, she pleaded for help from fans to suggest where she can get the procedure done so she doesn’t sustain any lasting scar.

Check out reactions that followed below …

regalvee said: “I love how she came out to ask for help.”

mz_leyi remarked: “Come to Dubai, they will treat you well or go to turkey but don’t operate in that 9ja oooo, they did my elder bro strong thing”

effizydered001 said: “In the face of pain, she is trying to be strong ”

jectimi_comedy wrote: “Tell her she can do this in America hospital dubai the one very close to sharja that hospital good  it’s expensive but dem good  . She’s ready I can register her dia I have dubai residential permit so I fit book hospital about as as resident for her ! That hospital good ”

mrpresidennnt stated: “She’s such a beautiful girl. A takes a lot of courage and shamelessness to come out publicly and ask for help. I hope she gets the help she needs asap so she can be back to her full magic. Love and light baby girl ”