Entertainment

Channel 4 privatisation could put us out of business, say TV production firms

More than 40 small TV and film production companies behind shows such as Derry Girls and Say Yes to the Dress have come together to warn that the government’s proposed privatisation of Channel 4 could put them out of business.

The 44 companies, dotted across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Yorkshire, have taken out a full-page advertisement in Tuesday’s edition of the Daily Telegraph – apparently timed to hit readers during the Conservative party conference in Manchester.

The ad, placed in what is traditionally seen as the Tories’ house newspaper, argues that selling Channel 4 – which is state-owned but commercially funded through TV ad revenue and is not required to turn a profit – would be the antithesis of the government’s pledge to “level up” businesses and communities across the country.

“It would cost jobs, reduce investment, and place companies at risk in the nations and regions,” the ad states. “From production companies who should know.”

Firms that have co-signed the ad include Hat Trick, the maker of the hit comedy Derry Girls, and True North, the indie behind shows such as Say Yes to the Dress: Lancashire.

“A privatised Channel 4 would be a disaster for all small to medium-sized production companies,” said Jannine Waddell, the managing director of Waddell Media, the producer of series including Britain’s Most Expensive Houses.

“No matter what the government says, the programming remit would change and that would hurt all of us. Would a commercially focused owner really get behind something like the Paralympics? We are Channel 4’s biggest supplier in Northern Ireland, and the impact here would be massive.”

Last month the former culture secretary John Whittingdale, who led a 2016 exploration to privatise Channel 4 that was ultimately abandoned by the government, said any new owner would have to maintain the broadcaster’s commitments to regional output and commissioning shows from independent producers.

A report by Ampere Analysis found that over the past two years Channel 4 worked with more than 200 small production companies, more than any other broadcaster, with 140 of those relying on it for half or more of all their TV work. It argued that a new owner would make deep cuts to Channel 4’s programming to make it more profitable, which could put up to 60 small production companies at risk of going out of business.

“The view across the industry is that, in the drive to ‘level up’ Britain, a Channel 4 in public ownership is the best ally the government could have,” said Dermot Lavery, a co-founder of DoubleBand Films, maker of programmes including Britain’s Ancient Tracks.

He said the broadcaster “would help hundreds of new privately owned [production] companies to be seeded – the indies of the future – making sure the largesse in public service broadcasting can be spread fairly across the country. A privately owned Channel 4 would kill that.”

Entertainment

Court dismisses Iyabo Ojo’s N1bn defamation suit against Lizzy Anjorin

A Lagos High Court sitting in Osborne, Ikoyi, has dismissed a N1 billion defamation suit filed by Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo against her colleague, Lizzy Anjorin.

Justice Olabisi Akinlade, who presided over the matter, held that the suit was incompetent due to procedural defects and a fundamental flaw in the originating processes. The court also ordered Ojo’s lawyer, Dr. Olabimpe Ajegbomogun, to pay N500, 000 to Anjorin’s lawyer, Barrister Ademola Olabiyi.

The case, marked LD/ADR/5292/2023, was instituted by Iyabo Ojo, who sought N1 billion in damages for alleged defamation. However, Anjorin’s counsel, Olabiyi, filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the suit failed to comply with mandatory pre-action protocols required under the Lagos State High Court Civil Procedure Rules.

Key among the objections was that the Statement of Compliance with Pre-Action Protocol (Form 01) accompanying the Writ of Summons was unsigned by Ojo’s counsel. Olabiyi contended that this omission rendered the suit null and void. He also highlighted that the Writ itself did not strictly follow the format prescribed by the court rules and lacked proper endorsement of the reliefs sought.

The defence further submitted that the unsigned documents in the court file and the absence of a Certified True Copy (CTC) raised concerns about the legitimacy of the processes filed by Ojo. Olabiyi noted that a search of the court file on April 2, 2024, revealed that the original copy of the Writ was unsigned and that the copy filed by the claimant in her counter-affidavit was an uncertified photocopy.

In response, Iyabo Ojo’s counsel argued that the procedural objections did not affect the substance of the suit and urged the court to discountenance the technicalities raised by the defence. The counter-affidavit claimed the Writ was properly signed and that any errors could be amended before the trial commenced.

However, Justice Akinlade ruled that the failure to sign the original Writ of Summons at the time of filing was a fatal defect. The judge noted that the certified copy obtained by Anjorin’s counsel confirmed that the Writ was unsigned when the suit was filed and assigned to the court.

Entertainment

Mohbad: Lagos Coroner’s Court orders prosecution of auxiliary nurse for unlawful medical practice

The Lagos State Coroner’s Court sitting in Ikorodu, has recommended the criminal prosecution of auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe over the d3ath of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Delivering the court’s findings on Friday, July 11, 2025, Magistrate C.A. Shotobi held that the nurse acted with gross negligence by administering an injection on the singer without a doctor’s prescription.

Although the court ruled out foul play or homicide in the case, it held that the actions of the nurse were both “unlawful and professionally negligent.”

“In pursuant to section 29 of the coroner laws of Lagos State, this court recommends that the prosecution of the unlicensed medical personnel by the office of the Director of Public Prosecution should commence appropriate prosecution against Felicia Ogedengbe for unlawful medical practice and gross negligence,” the magistrate said.

Recall that Ogedengbe was arrested following the singer’s d3ath under controversial circumstances on September 11, 2023.

Testifying before Justice C.A. Shotobi at the Coroner’s Court in March 2025, she disclosed that the rapper had a reaction and started vomiting after she administered a tetanus injection to him.

Entertainment

Veteran actor, Tom Njeamanze battles prostate cancer, solicits financial assistance

Veteran actor Tom Njeamanze is currently fighting for his life after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Footage shared by producer Stanley Ontop on Instagram shows the ailing actor hospitalised, connected to an oxygen cylinder and intravenous drips.

The producer shared the actor’s bank details and urged fans and well-wishers to contribute, emphasising that “nothing is too small” to save the legend’s life.

“Hello guys, one of our Nollywood legends is sick and needs urgent surgery. Sir Tom Njamanze has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and he needs your support to undergo surgery,” he wrote.

“Nothing is too small, fams. Help our legend live again.”

The post sparked an outpouring of support, with fans offering prayers and calling for intervention from the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

Many lamented the lack of structural support for aging actors in Nollywood.

Njemanze began his acting career in the 1990s and is known for his standout performances in several films, including ‘Tokunboh’, ‘Pounds and Dollars’, ‘Atosa’, ‘Issakaba’, ‘Osuofia in London’, ‘Brain Box’, and ‘Igbotic Love’.

In February, Ontop also appealed for financial assistance to cover the medical expenses of veteran actor John Amaefule, who was diagnosed with cancer.

He revealed that the actor suffered a stroke on the left side of his brain, which led to weakness on the right side of his body. Thecable.