Tag: NBC

NBC appeals court order protecting TV stations, presenters from sanctions 

Aminu Imam
NBC appeals court order

Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has filed an appeal against a recent ruling of the Federal High Court in Lagos which restrained the commission from using controversial provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code to threaten, sanction, punish or fine broadcast stations and presenters over alleged “expression of personal opinions as facts”, “bullying or intimidating guests”, or failure to maintain “neutrality”. The development has triggered renewed concerns over shrinking civic space, press freedom and freedom of expression in Nigeria, especially amid growing criticism that the NBC is attempting to impose excessive…

Read More

Court stops NBC from punishing broadcasters over opinions, neutrality rules

Aminu Imam
Court stops NBC

A Federal High Court in Lagos has, in a ruling, stopped the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from using its recently issued ‘Formal Notice’ to threaten, sanction or punish broadcast stations and presenters for expressing personal opinions as facts, bullying or intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality. Recall that Justice Daniel Osiagor on Monday granted an order of interim injunction following arguments on an ex-parte Motion filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). The case was argued on behalf of SERAP…

Read More

SERAP, NGE sue NBC over threats to sanction broadcasters

Aminu Imam
SERAP, NGE sue NBC

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have filed a lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over what they described as an “arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unlawful” threat to sanction broadcast stations and presenters. This was disclosed yesterday, in an issued statement jointly signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Onuoha Ukeh. The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/854/2026 and filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 24, 2026, challenges the NBC’s recent directive warning broadcasters…

Read More

2027: NBC cracks down on broadcasters over rising code violations 

Aminu Imam
NBC cracks down on broadcasters

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a formal notice to broadcasters across Nigeria, warning of stricter enforcement measures following a surge in violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly in news, current affairs, and political programmes. In a press statement issued yesterday dated April 17, 2026, the Commission said it had observed a sustained increase in breaches of the 6th Edition of the Code, raising concerns about declining professional standards in the industry. According to the NBC, many broadcast platforms are straying from their core responsibility of delivering accurate,…

Read More

Alleged cultural, religious violations: Court fixes May 18 for hearing in suit against Arewa24, NBC 

Aminu Imam
Court on suit against Arewa24, NBC 

The Federal High Court in Kano has fixed May 18, 2026, for the hearing of a suit filed by the Islamic Research and Da’awa Foundation, Abuja, against Arewa24 Television and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over alleged violations of Islamic and Hausa cultural values. The Foundation is challenging the content of certain programmes aired by Arewa24, which it claims are inconsistent with Islamic teachings and the cultural norms of Hausa society. It also alleges breaches of the NBC Broadcasting Code, particularly in relation to decency and public morality. In the…

Read More

Appeal Court upholds ban on NBC’s power to fine broadcast stations

Aminu Imam
A'Court on NBC

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) against the judgement barring it from imposing fines on broadcast stations. Oyejoju Oyewumi, who led the three-member panel, yesterday ruled that the NBC’s appeal lacked merit. Other justices on the panel are Abba Bello Mohammed and Donatus Uwaezuoke Okorowo. In a unanimous verdict, Oyewumi held that the NBC cannot challenge the judgement at the court of appeal, having failed to contest the suit at the federal high court. Recall that on March 1,…

Read More

Alleged Distortion of Islamic, Hausa Cultural Values: Court to hear suit against AREWA24, NBC today in Kano

Aminu Imam
Court on AREWA24, NBC

Aminu Imam The Federal High Court sitting in Kano is set to hear a suit today Wednesday, filed by the Islamic Research and Da’awa Foundation, Abuja, against Network AREWA24 Limited and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The case, Islamic Research and Da’awa Foundation, Abuja vs. Network AREWA24 Ltd. & NBC, centres on allegations that certain Hausa-language programmes aired by AREWA24 contravene established broadcasting standards and undermine Islamic principles as well as Hausa cultural values. In its originating processes, the plaintiff alleges what it described as the “bastardisation” and misrepresentation of…

Read More

Court adjourns Arewa24, NBC case to March 4

Aminu Imam
Court adjourns Arewa24 case

Aminu Imam The Federal High Court sitting in Kano yesterday adjourned the suit filed by the Islamic Research and Da’awa Foundation, Abuja, against Network Arewa24 Limited and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to March 4, 2026. The matter, which was slated for hearing, could not proceed, as the court did not sit. The case, Islamic Research and Da’awa Foundation, Abuja v. Network Arewa24 Ltd. & NBC, centres on allegations of breaches of broadcasting standards and public morality in some Hausa-language programmes aired by the television station. Speaking after the adjournment,…

Read More

Islamic group sues Arewa24, NBC over alleged breach of broadcasting standards

Aminu Imam
Islamic group sues Arewa24

An Islamic organisation, the Islamic Research and Da’awa Foundation, has filed a suit against Arewa24 Television channel and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over alleged violations of broadcasting and public morality standards in some Hausa-language programmes. The case is scheduled to come up today Wednesday, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kano. In the suit, the Foundation accused Arewa24 of producing and airing content that allegedly features indecent dressing, obscene expressions and sexually suggestive language, which it said contravene cultural values, Islamic ethics and Nigeria’s broadcasting codes. The plaintiff…

Read More

“Regulate your operations or risk  sanctions” – NBC tells broadcast stations

Aminu Imam
NBC to broadcast stations

The National Broadcasting Commission, (NBC) has admonished broadcast stations in the country to regulate their operations and abide strictly by the National Broadcasting Code or risk sanctions. Its Director-General, Charles Ebuebu, gave the warning yesterday in Abuja at a Stakeholders’ Strategic Meeting convened by the Commission, said the meeting was called to reaffirm standards that protect the public, the profession and broadcast stations from reputational and legal risks. The DG frowned at the recurrent unethical practices by some stations and practitioners, reiterating that the NBC was poised at restoring the…

Read More