Court refuses to set aside judgment stopping NBC from imposing fines on broadcast stations

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed an application by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) seeking an order to set aside his judgment restraining the commission from imposing fines on broadcast stations in the country.

Ripples Nigeria reports that the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) had sued NBC for imposing a fine of N500,000 each on Channels, TVC, AIT, and 42 others on March 1, 2019, for allegedly flouting the provisions of the Nigerian broadcasting code.

According to MRA, the action of the commission violated the right to a fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ratification and Enforcement) Act.