NewStats: 3,263,183 , 8,179,344 topics. Date: Wednesday, 04 June 2025 at 11:48 PM 1n1k6i

A Federal High Court in Lagos has stopped the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations in the country, and shutting down the stations for allegedly failing to renew their licenses.

Honourable Justice Akintayo Aluko (Court today granted an order of interim injunction following the hearing of an argument on motion exparte by Socio-Economic Rights and ability Project (SERAP) and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

SERAP and NGE had last week filed a lawsuit against Buhari and NBC, asking the court for “a declaration that section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act used by NBC to threaten to revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and to shut down the stations is unconstitutional and unlawful, as it violates freedom of expression.”

In the suit, SERAP and NGE had asked the court for “an order of interim injunction restraining Buhari and NBC, their agents from revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations in the country and shutting their down operations, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in this suit.”

The suit is adjourned to 8th September, 2022 for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction. The suit followed the decision by the NBC to revoke the licenses of the 53 broadcast stations and shut down their operations within 24 hours over alleged N2.6 billion debt.

In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1582/2022, SERAP and NGE are asking the court to determine “whether section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act used by NBC to threaten revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shut them down is not in inconsistent with freedom of expression and access to information.”

SERAP and NGE are also seeking “a declaration that section 10(a) of the National Broadcasting Act used by NBC to unilaterally revoke the licenses of the broadcast stations and shutdown the stations is a violation of the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to fair hearing.”

The suit, read in part: “The provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties on freedom of expression indicate that this right can be exercised through any medium.”

“Effectively, these provisions recognize that every individual has the right to an equal opportunity to receive, seek and impart information through any communication medium without discrimination.”

“The use of NBC Act and Code in this case would inissibly open the door to arbitrariness and would fundamentally restrict the freedom of expression that is an integral part of the public order protected the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.”

“The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and information – in its individual and collective aspects – in a democratic society.”

“Indeed, the media has the task of distributing all varieties of information and opinion on matters of general interest.”

“The public has a right to receive and assess this information and opinion independently. Therefore, the existence of a free, independent, vigorous, pluralistic, and diverse media is essential for the proper functioning of a democratic society.”

“According to the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ‘licensing processes shall seek to promote diversity in broadcasting. Any registration system for the media shall not impose substantive restrictions on the right to freedom of expression.’”

“Revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shutting down their operations because they have not renewed their licenses would both seriously undermine the rights of millions of Nigerians to express their thoughts, and their right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, in any medium they choose.”

“Freedom of expression includes the public's right to receive, and the right of those who express themselves through a medium of communication, to impart the greatest possible diversity of information and ideas.”

“The right to freedom of expression is based on the right to establish or use a media outlet to exercise freedom of expression and on society's right to have access to a free, independent, and pluralistic media that allows for the most and most diverse information.”

“The media, including the affected 53 broadcast stations, serve to distribute Nigerians’ thoughts and information while at the same time allowing them access to the ideas, information, opinions, and cultural expressions of other individuals.”

“The exercise of the right to freedom of expression through the media is a guarantee that is fundamental for advancing the collective deliberative process on public and democratic issues.”

“Therefore, the strengthening of the guarantee of freedom of expression is a precondition for the exercise of other human rights, as well as a precondition to the right to participation to be informed and reasoned.”

“The media including the affected 53 broadcast stations play an essential role, as they allow millions of Nigerians to access both the relevant information and a variety of perspectives that are necessary for reaching reasonable and informed conclusions on matters of public interest.”

“The Plaintiffs recognize the mandates of NBC to regulate broadcasting. However, the exercise of such mandates including renewals or revocation of licenses must follow the thresholds and guidelines set by the right to freedom of expression.The free circulation of ideas and news is not possible except in the context of a plurality of sources of information and media outlets. The lack of plurality in sources of information is a serious obstacle for the functioning of democracy.”

“The NBC Act and Broadcasting Code cannot and should not be used in a manner that is inconsistent and incompatible with plurality of voices, diversity of voices, non-discrimination, and just demands of a democratic society, as well as the public interest. Broadcasting is a means of exercising freedom of expression. Any restrictions on freedom of expression must meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”

“The regulation of broadcasting must aspire to promote and expand the scope of the right to freedom of expression, not restrict it.”

https://politicsnigeria.com/court-blocks-buhari-nbc-from-shutting-down-ait-silverbird/

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So SERAP is ing them oweing government institutions?
They should go ahead and pay what is due for them.
After all, some of them have oaid
Rushing to judiciary at every opportunity

Better.

yinkus6750:
So SERAP is ing them oweing government institutions?
They should go ahead and pay what is due for them.
After all, some of them have oaid
Rushing to judiciary at every opportunity

Don’t mind that Mumu serap, what does their revocation of license by the same government who gave them those same rights in the first place, have to do with denying them their rights to freedom of expression?

This claim has no merit whatsoever, why didn’t this same government grant Biafra radio a license, since every Nnamdi Kanu has a right to freedom of expression?

So to pay lisence fee now is a crime even with every warning

Guess who AIT would use their free lisence to punish?! Zombidiots ing them


.

Welcome to the cruise country

Agbado FT Buhari on the beat.
They will do anything to shut the people. Fu** Atiku!



OBI is on the way.

Give it 5 years and no one would care about NBA or whatever they call themselves. The future is online. YouTube, Netflix, Rumble and so on.

All these is corruption (by civil services) to extort money from the media executives. Just like newspaper, a time would come that only papas would be sitting watching regular TV. Others would connect theirs to the internet.

APC is a terrorist party l.avoid dem

Does if change dollar rate to naira?

Government agency dey close government owned broadcasting station...

53 whaa

How many TV stations dey naija in the first place

Abeg who knows what I should do,,I drank too much of ds rubber drink yesterday mixed with stout..Av not bn myself since morning..Stomach pain n not getting myself..pls anything to take?

NTA country.

They will bill us millions for advert so they dont pay bc tax

Nawa o

Oga Just Started Now To Vex

Nowhere in the judgement were they advised to renew their licenses.

Soon we’ll get a judgement barring VIO etc from compelling motorists to renew their vehicle and driver’s licenses over citizens rights of movement.

The judiciary need to know when to stop, this is preposterous.

The court should’ve barred NBC from revoking their licenses okay, then provide ample time for the necessary renewal fees to be paid

faceland:
Give it 5 years and no one would care about NBA or whatever they call themselves. The future is online. YouTube, Netflix, Rumble and so on.

All these is corruption (by civil services) to extort money from the media executives. Just like newspaper, a time would come that only papas would be sitting watching regular TV. Others would connect theirs to the internet.

You make me laugh.

If you don't understand that internet is at the mercy of government, ask any Chinese you know.

Rule of law at play.

Very good

yinkus6750:
So SERAP is ing them oweing government institutions?
They should go ahead and pay what is due for them.
After all, some of them have oaid
Rushing to judiciary at every opportunity

Is Nigeria too not owing . Who is a greater debtor, Nigeria or those broadcasting coys. Let Nigeria pay hers then they will also pay theirs too. Debtor no dey worry debtor

ivolt:

You make me laugh.

If you don't understand that internet is at the mercy of government, ask any Chinese you know.

Yeah like when they ban Twitter?
I don't know how a Nigerian government can regulate the internet to the level of TV, and Radio. Except of course if the government want to isolate the whole country including themselves.

Buckeyemedia1:
Don’t mind that Mumu serap, what does their revocation of license by the same government who gave them those same rights in the first place, have to do with denying them their rights to freedom of expression?

This claim has no merit whatsoever, why didn’t this same government grant Biafra radio a license, since every Nnamdi Kanu has a right to freedom of expression?

no be one or two broadcasters. 52, haba! Fed gov is up to one evil agenda. Rendering people wey get job jobless go make the country greater

This one didn't even care to read their argument, just to rush and type.

yinkus6750:
So SERAP is ing them oweing government institutions?
They should go ahead and pay what is due for them.
After all, some of them have oaid
Rushing to judiciary at every opportunity

Tyrany in this government is way too much.

confused country, so paying for License (tax) by radio stations to its regulator NBC is now illegal