Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
State has ordered the suspension of the
Executive Secretary of the Lagos State
Film and Video Censors Board, Bamidele
Balogun.
Balogun had written letters to several
digital platforms including Netflix and Iroko
TV demanding five per cent.
This was done despite a Federal High Court
barring the LSFVCB from levying film and
video producers.
Justice Chuka Obiozor of a Federal High
Court had in a judgment in June 2020
stated that the LSFVCB could not be
collecting taxes at the same time as the
National Film and Video Censors Board
(NFVCB) as it amounted to double
taxation.
In a statement on Friday night the Lagos
Commissioner for Information and Strategy,
Gbenga Omotosho, dined imposing any 5%
Levy on Audio and Visual Contents of
Physical and Digital Platforms.
Omotosho accused the LSFVCB director of
acting without authorisation and was
therefore suspended.
The statement read in part, “ There is no
levy on audio and visual contents of all
physical and digital platforms in Lagos
State. The Executive Secretary, Lagos State
Film and Video Censors Board, Mr Bamidele
Balogun, is said to have announced a five
per cent levy.
“The government hereby dissociates itself
from the said announcement in the media.
The Executive Secretary, who was not
authorised to make such an announcement,
has been suspended, pending an
administrative enquiry.”