The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday, July 1, 2021, fixed September 27, 2021, for hearing in the winding up and forfeiture proceedings against CNN Africa.
Miss Stephanie Busari, Nima Elbagir and Muhammad Darwish are linked to the suit.
The presiding judge, Hon. T. G Ringim, adjourned the case to hear an application filed by KeneChukwu Okeke for the final forfeiture of assets belonging to CNN Africa in Nigeria.
In the originating summons marked FHC/L/CS/1839/2020, KeneChukwu Okeke, Claimant/Applicant averred that CNN Africa and Stephanie Busari egregiously breached the unambiguous requirements of Sections 78, 79, 80 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 and Section 2 (2) & 9 (1) of the National Broadcasting Commission Act, 1992 (as amended) having established a “multi-platform office bureau” for the production and transmission of sound or vision including featured contents through cable and satellite broadcasts in Nigeria.
Unregistered companies are subject to winding up procedures, whether solvent or insolvent, as are registered companies and organizations.
For unregistered companies, the courts may declare that it is fair and equitable for the company to be wound up.
As a result of the redeployment of Justice Chuka Obiozor, the matter was re-assigned to a new judge, Justice T. G. Ringim for hearing.
CNN operates in almost all the countries of the world with offices in Nairobi, Kenya; Adisaba, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and other locations in Africa.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on August 7, 2020, signed the amended CAMA Act into law.
The law has also raised a lot of controversies among Christian leaders who faulted the act, with some describing it as satanic and a move by the current administration to oppress the church.
One of the outspoken Christian leaders and Senior Pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Jesus Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa had alleged that Buhari wants to take over the funds of churches through the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA, 2020.
He stated this while calling on Buhari to perish the thoughts of controlling the church, adding that the President wants to take over church treasuries after allegedly selling Nigeria to China.
Also, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Olasupo Ayokunle, had urged the President to ensure the suspension of CAMA.
The CAN leader warned that the CAMA Act was inimical to the interest, security, peace, and stability of Nigerians, hence should be suspended.
