The Lagos State Government has asked the Court of Appeal in Lagos to restore its power to register and license cinemas.

It filed an appeal challenging a March 18, 2020 Federal High Court judgment which held that only the Federal Government can exercise such power.

The state also filed a stay of execution of the judgment.

The lower court decision was delivered by Justice Chuka Obiozor, a Professor of Law, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1502/2016, Harris & Annis Limited v Attorney-General of Lagos State & 3 Ors.

The judge held that the Lagos State Government cannot exercise regulatory powers to register and license cinema exhibition centres under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, because a Federal Law already covers such activity.

But Director, Public Affairs of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Mr Kayode Oyekanmi, told The Nation yesterday that the state had challenged the decision.

“We have, however, filed a notice of appeal and stay of application,” Oyekanmi said.

At the lower court, the plaintiff, Harris & Annis Limited, who operates ‘Dew Cinema’ in Lagos, joined the Attorney-General of Lagos State, the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB), the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) as defendants.

The plaintiff’s counsel, Chijioke Emeka, argued that the NFVCB Act 1993 and the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State 2004 having given the NFVCB and the LSFVCB powers to register and license premises for film and video exhibition, the plaintiff is brought under the registration and licensing regulation of both bodies under sections 17, 21 and 25(2) of the Federal Law and sections 23 and 24 of the State Law, a scenario unintended by the constitution.

The plaintiff further argued that because it was registered and licensed by the NFVCB and paid its annual licensing fees to the Federal Government; the LSFVCB cannot demand the same registration and annual licensing fee from it.

Counsel for the Attorney-General of Lagos State and the LSFVCB, A. O. Idowu, contended that the constitution allows both the Federal and Lagos State governments to have concurrent power to make laws which can operate side by side with each other.

Ruling, Justice Obiozor held that Item 16, Part II of the Second Schedule in the 1999 Constitution gives concurrent powers to both the Federal and State legislatures to make law creating a body to register cinema premises and collect annual license fees.

However, since the National Assembly has made a law which covered the field, the law made by the Lagos House of Assembly on the same issue “remains otiose and inoperative.

“Item 16(b) however allows the State Law to censor films and videos to be exhibited in Lagos State.”

It was held that since both laws exact registration and licensing fees, the state law is not binding.

“I have examined sections 17, 21 and 25(2) of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act and sections 23 and 24 of the Cinematograph Law Cap. C8, Laws of Lagos State and find a case of co-existence of a Federal Law and a State Law on the subject matter of registration and licensing of premises for film and video exhibition.

“To that extent therefore, the Federal Law prevails and the law of State must go into abeyance while the Federal law subsists,” the Judge said.

The Court also held that a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’, ‘Exhibit LASG 1’, entered into between the NFVCB and the LSFVCB under which both bodies cooperate to exact dual registration and licensing fees from cinema operators, is “non sequitur”.

This, the judge explained, is because the agreement hinges on a state law which is “inoperative”.

232 thoughts on “Lagos asks court to restore its power to register, license cinemas

  1. I discovered your weblog site on google and verify just a few of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the very good operate. I simply further up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader.

  2. I appreciate the effort that goes into creating high-quality content, and this post was no exception. The insights and information were top-notch and made for a really engaging read. Keep up the great work!

  3. I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the great content you consistently produce. It’s informative, interesting, and always keeps me coming back for more!

  4. I want to express my appreciation for the writer of this blog post. It’s clear they put a lot of effort and thought into their work, and it shows. From the informative content to the engaging writing style, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

  5. I’m so happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.

  6. You have a way of making each of your readers feel seen and heard That’s a special quality that not all bloggers possess Thank you for creating a safe space for us

  7. From start to finish, this blog post had us hooked. The content was insightful, entertaining, and had us feeling grateful for all the amazing resources out there. Keep up the great work!

  8. Witamy w Slottica PL! Nasza platforma to harmonijne połączenie innowacji, różnorodności i najwyższych standardów bezpieczeństwa, zaprojektowane z myślą o wymagających graczach z Polski. Oferujemy nie tylko szeroki wybór gier – od dynamicznych automatów, przez strategiczne gry stołowe, po ekskluzywne sesje z live dealerami – ale także kompleksowe rozwiązania dostosowane do Twoich preferencji. Dzięki zaawansowanej technologii mobilnej, ciesz się płynnym dostępem do ulubionych rozgrywek na dowolnym urządzeniu, gdziekolwiek jesteś. Slottica Casino współpracuje wyłącznie z uznanymi dostawcami oprogramowania, gwarantując najwyższą jakość grafiki, uczciwość mechaniki i regularne aktualizacje biblioteki gier.

  9. I appreciate the effort that goes into creating high-quality content, and this post was no exception. The insights and information were top-notch and made for a really engaging read. Keep up the great work!

  10. it is a really nice point of view. I usually meet people who rather say what they suppose others want to hear. Good and well written! I will come back to your site for sure!

  11. Amazing! Your site has quite a few comment posts. How did you get all of these bloggers to look at your site I’m envious! I’m still studying all about posting articles on the net. I’m going to view pages on your website to get a better understanding how to attract more people. Thank you!

  12. Chcesz znaleźć najlepsze kasyna online w Polsce i rozpocząć przygodę z grami kasynowymi w sieci? Na Game-cme.org czekają na Ciebie wyłącznie zweryfikowane, rzetelnie sprawdzone i rekomendowane platformy do gry. Sprawdź aktualny ranking TOP kasyn, skorzystaj z atrakcyjnych bonusów powitalnych oraz kodów promocyjnych i wybierz idealne miejsce do rozrywki. Zapraszamy do zapoznania się z naszym przewodnikiem! Wielu graczy zastanawia się, czy korzystanie z kasyn online w Polsce jest zgodne z prawem. Okazuje się, że krajowe przepisy w tej kwestii są wyjątkowo rygorystyczne. Wszystko za sprawą ustawy hazardowej z 2017 roku, która wymaga, aby każda platforma oferująca gry kasynowe online posiadała licencję wydawaną przez Ministerstwo Finansów. Jednak zdobycie takiego zezwolenia jest niemal niemożliwe, ponieważ spełnienie wymagań stawianych operatorom stanowi ogromne wyzwanie.

  13. Hello there I am so delighted I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Google for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a remarkable post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the superb work.

  14. That is really fascinating, You’re an excessively skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to in the hunt for extra of your magnificent post. Additionally, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

  15. Substantially, the post is really the best on this laudable topic. I concur with your conclusions and will eagerly watch forward to your future updates.Just saying thanx will not just be enough, for the wonderful lucidity in your writing.

  16. Καθώς τα χρόνια περνούν, η βιομηχανία του τζόγου συνεχώς εξελίσσεται, προσφέροντας ολοένα και περισσότερες επιλογές διασκέδασης. Τα καζίνο δεν αποτελούν απλώς χώρους παιχνιδιού, αλλά και εμπειρίες γεμάτες ένταση, όπου οι παίκτες αναζητούν τόσο τη διασκέδαση όσο και την πιθανότητα μεγάλων κερδών. Ειδικά στην Ελλάδα, όπου το πάθος για τα τυχερά παιχνίδια είναι βαθιά ριζωμένο, η δημοτικότητα του διαδικτυακού τζόγου αυξάνεται σταθερά. Μέσα σε αυτό το δυναμικό τοπίο, το Leon Casino έχει καταφέρει να ξεχωρίσει και να εδραιωθεί ως μία από τις πιο αξιόπιστες πλατφόρμες της αγοράς. Ο λόγος είναι προφανής: το Leon.bet Casino προσφέρει μια πλήρως εξοπλισμένη πλατφόρμα με πληθώρα επιλογών παιχνιδιών, διατηρώντας υψηλά πρότυπα ασφάλειας και ποιότητας στις υπηρεσίες του.

  17. I want to express my appreciation for the writer of this blog post. It’s clear they put a lot of effort and thought into their work, and it shows. From the informative content to the engaging writing style, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

  18. While this issue can vexed most people, my thought is that there has to be a middle or common ground that we all can find. I do value that you’ve added pertinent and sound commentary here though. Thank you!

  19. Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clarity to your publish is simply spectacular and i could think you are a professional in this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to stay up to date with impending post. Thanks one million and please keep up the enjoyable work.

  20. Your posts are so thought-provoking and often leave me pondering long after I have finished reading Keep challenging your readers to think outside the box

  21. I appreciate the effort that goes into creating high-quality content, and this post was no exception. The insights and information were top-notch and made for a really engaging read. Keep up the great work!

  22. Hey, I simply hopped over to your website by way of StumbleUpon. No longer one thing I’d normally learn, but I preferred your thoughts none the less. Thanks for making one thing worth reading.

  23. We just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge all the hard work and effort you’ve been putting in lately. Keep up the amazing job, you’re doing great!

  24. Appreciation for taking the time to discuss this topic, I would love to discover more on this topic. If viable, as you gain expertise, would you object to updating the website with further information? It is tremendously beneficial for me.

  25. SightCare is a natural dietary supplement designed to support eye health. It contains a blend of antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin, along with essential vitamins and herbal extracts. These ingredients may help reduce eye strain, prevent age-related vision decline, and improve overall eye function. Regular use aims to maintain and protect healthy vision.

  26. Sex では、最新の Xvideos セックス ムービー、Xvideos セックス ファック 極上ハッピー、フル HD 鮮明のセレクションをご覧いただけます。

  27. Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, awesome blog!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for a Lawyer? Find a Lawyer Dismiss