Court Nullifies NBC’s Power To Impose Fines On Broadcast Stations

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared null and void the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which authorized the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to impose fines on broadcast stations for alleged breaches of the Code.

VerseNews reports that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia on delivering judgement held that the NBC, being administrative and regulatory bodies should not exercise judicial powers, and acted above its powers by imposing such fines.

The ruling came in response to a suit by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) against the NBC, challenging the Commission’s imposition of  N5 million each fines on a television station and three pay TV platforms in 2022 for broadcasting documentaries on banditry in Nigeria.

The judge held that the NBC, not being a court of law, exceeded its powers by imposing such fines.

The court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the Commission from further imposing fines on any media platform or broadcast station in Nigeria for any alleged offense under the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

The fines imposed on Multichoice Nigeria Limited, TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV), Trust-TV Network Limited, and NTA Startimes Limited for broadcasting a documentary about banditry in Zamfara State were set aside.

The court commended MRA for its legal challenge and ruled in favor of MRA’s contentions, emphasizing the importance of protecting freedom of expression.