COSON may resume war with broadcasters

The loyalty row between the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) may resume according to The Nation

COSON is accusing IBAN and BON of failing to live up to the agreement reached in May for the broadcast agancies to pay arbitrary charges to musicians through the society.

In a statement released to the media on Wednesday COSON urged  BON and IBAN to respect the royalty agreement.

Also read:COSON order hotels to pay outstanding music royalties

COSON said that  broadcasting stations in the country are still deploying music without paying the negotiated royalty.

In 2013, COSON filed law suits worth millions of Nigeria against some broadcast stations including AIT, Ray Power, STV, Rhythm FM, Beat FM, Classic FM, Naija FM, Smooth FM and Brila FM.

Also read:COSON seeks government support against piracy

The chairman of COSON Tony Okoroji believed that the matter will be steeled amicably.

Silverbird Galleria give conditions for refund

Silverbird Galleria says its cinemas will rather refund the money than allow parents bring children to a film show for adults.

Silverbird Galleria says that it complies with the rules and regulations of the Nigerian Films and Video Censors Board (NFVDB) regarding movies shown to the public.

Ehi Paul, a staff of the organisation who spoke on behalf of the manager of the cinema, said although the original owners of films had to first rate their products, the regulatory agency must review them before they could be shown by any cinema.

She added that the regulatory authority also censored foreign movies before giving approval for cinemas to show them.

On movies for children, Paul said the cinema had enough films for the underaged, adding that about four films were slated for children per week.

According to her, children are not allowed into the cinema to watch films meant for adults.

Oscar failed to take steps to avoid death - judge

Paralympian Oscar Pistorius failed to take steps to avoid the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, Judge Thokozile Masipa said in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Thursday.

"He failed to take any steps to avoid the resulted death," she said, reading out her judgment.

"I am of the view that the accused acted too hastily and used excessive force. In the circumstances it is clear that his conduct was negligent."

Masipa adjourned the judgment to Friday at 09:30.

Earlier, there was an short delay in the start of proceedings after the lunch break.

Pistorius's lawyer Barry Roux and prosecutor Gerrie Nel were seen leaving the courtroom and disappearing through the door to the judge's chambers.

Court resumed about 15 minutes later, but Masipa only spoke for several minutes more on negligence before she abruptly adjourned proceedings.

Steenkamp was shot in Pistorius's Pretoria home on 14 February last year.

During the trial Pistorius has said he thought an intruder was behind the door of the toilet in his Pretoria home when he shot through it. He fired four times, killing Steenkamp.

After the adjournment, Steenkamp's friend Marc Batchelor stood with her Johannesburg "family" the Myers and said how upset he was with how the judgment was going.

Steenkamp's friend Gina Myers was crying after lunch and was consoled by her family.

Earlier, Steenkamp's parents June and Barry sat straight, looking at Masipa as she spoke.

They left as soon as court was adjourned, flanked by their lawyer Dup du Bryun.

Pistorius left through the door used by Masipa while his family trickled out the main entrance.

During her judgment, Masipa said various questions had to be taken into consideration, including if a reasonable person would have foreseen the possibility that someone might be struck when Pistorius shot and someone could die.

She said it should also be taken into consideration if a reasonable person would have taken steps to guard against the possibility of killing another person.

She said in Pistorius's case the answer to both is yes.

The State had argued that Steenkamp's killing was premeditated.

However, on Thursday Masipa said there was not enough evidence for premeditated murder.

Masipa was still due to rule on whether Pistorius was guilty of culpable homicide, which is defined as the unlawful killing of a person without an intention to kill.

Pistorius is also charged with three contraventions of the Firearms Control Act - one of illegal possession of ammunition and two of discharging a firearm in public.

False ebola alarm lands actor in jail

Nollywood actor, Chris Bassey, is presently behind bars for falsely reporting his girlfriend has Ebola Virus, reports Pulse.ng 

The actor made a prank call claiming that a female passenger travelling on an Arik Air flight from Enugu to Lagos was infected with Ebola. 

He told the airline that she had escaped from quarantine in Enugu and was running away to Lagos.

The female passenger who is also his girlfriend tested negative  on arrival at the Lagos airport which led to his arrest.

According to his girlfriend, the actor made the prank call because they had a misunderstanding.

He may be charged to court on September 15 for disrupting Arik’s operations.