The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP), has announced that it will be suing Buharis administration and the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) over what it terms the arbitrary and unlawful fine of N5 million imposed on Channels Television.
SERAP, a non-governmental, non-profit organisation dedicated to increasing transparency, accountability, and the protection of economic and social rights in Nigeria, which made the announcement through its official Twitter handle, said that the fine on Channels Television was a clear infringement on press freedom and a violation of Nigerians freedom of speech.
NBC had fined the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Yusuf Datti-Ahmed, over comments it terms capable of inciting violence and overheating the already charged socio-political situation in the country.
Datti-Ahmed had some weeks ago called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief Justice of Nigeria not to swear in the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), because according to him, Tinubu failed to meet the minimum condition laid down by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be declared the winner.
Datti-Ahmed had said, among several things, that Tinubu didnt win 25 percent of the votes cast in the nations capital, Abuja, and his victory was marred by several electoral flaws.
The NBC had, before the February 25 and March 28 elections, asked broadcast stations to desist from campaigns, messages, and interviews that were inciteful, and a clear violation of the broadcast rules.
Apparently, SERAP sees this fine as an infringement of press freedom and a clear indication of what is to come in the administration of the president-elect.
