A Federal High Court in Abuja has prohibited the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, NBC from imposing fines on broadcast stations, ruling that the NBC cannot simultaneously hold administrative, legislative, and judicial powers.
The court, presided over by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, on Wednesday, 17th January 2024, set aside fines imposed on Trust Television, MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, Telcom Satellite Limited, and StarTimes Limited for broadcasting a documentary on banditry in Zamfara State in 2020. Stating that the NBC is not allowed to have administrative, legislative, and judicial powers simultaneously.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Communications Officer for Media Rights Agenda, Idowu Adewale.
The court supported the arguments of Media Rights Agenda, MRA, a non-governmental organization that filed the lawsuit, challenging the NBC’s authority to impose sanctions due to its lack of necessary independence and impartiality.
The judge granted MRA’s requested declarations and injunctions but did not award punitive damages or costs.
Story: Christy Dung