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Court stops Buhari, NBC from shutting down 53 broadcast stations

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Court stops Buhari, NBC from shutting down 53 broadcast stations

By John Mommoh

The Federal High Court in Lagos has stopped President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations in the country and shutting down the stations for allegedly failing to renew their licenses.

NBC suspends shutdown of indebted Broadcast stationsHonorable Justice Akintayo Aluko (Court 8) today granted an order of interim injunction following the hearing of an argument on motion exparte by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

SERAP and NGE had last week filed a lawsuit against Buhari and NBC, asking the court for “a declaration that section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act used by NBC to threaten to revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and to shut down the stations is unconstitutional and unlawful, as it violates freedom of expression.”

In the suit, SERAP and NGE had asked the court for “an order of interim injunction restraining Buhari and NBC, their agents from revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations in the country and shutting their own operations, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in this suit.”

The suit is adjourned to 8th September 2022 for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.

The suit followed the decision by NBC to revoke the licenses of the 53 broadcast stations and shut down their operations within 24 hours over alleged N2.6 billion debt.

In suit number FHC/L/CS/1582/2022, SERAP and NGE are asking the court to determine “whether section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act used by NBC to threaten to revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shut them down is not in inconsistent with freedom of expression and access to information.”

SERAP and NGE are also seeking “a declaration that section 10(a) of the National Broadcasting Act used by NBC to unilaterally revoke the licenses of the broadcast stations and shutdown the stations is a violation of the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to a fair hearing.”

The suit, read in part: “The provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties on freedom of expression indicate that this right can be exercised through any medium.”

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“Effectively, these provisions recognize that every individual has the right to an equal opportunity to receive, seek and impart information through any communication medium without discrimination.”

“The use of NBC Act and Code, in this case, would inadmissibly open the door to arbitrariness and would fundamentally restrict the freedom of expression that is an integral part of the public order protected the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.”

“The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and information – in its individual and collective aspects – in a democratic society.”

“Indeed, the media has the task of distributing all varieties of information and opinion on matters of general interest.”

“The public has a right to receive and assess this information and opinion independently. Therefore, the existence of a free, independent, vigorous, pluralistic, and diverse media is essential for the proper functioning of a democratic society.”

“According to the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ‘licensing processes shall seek to promote diversity in broadcasting. Any registration system for the media shall not impose substantive restrictions on the right to freedom of expression.’”

“Revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shutting down their operations because they have not renewed their licenses would both seriously undermine the rights of millions of Nigerians to express their thoughts, and their right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, in any medium they choose.”

“Freedom of expression includes the public’s right to receive, and the right of those who express themselves through a medium of communication, to impart the greatest possible diversity of information and ideas.”

“The right to freedom of expression is based on the right to establish or use a media outlet to exercise freedom of expression and on society’s right to have access to a free, independent, and pluralistic media that allows for the most and most diverse information.”

“The media, including the affected 53 broadcast stations, serve to distribute Nigerians’ thoughts and information while at the same time allowing them access to the ideas, information, opinions, and cultural expressions of other individuals.”

“The exercise of the right to freedom of expression through the media is a guarantee that is fundamental for advancing the collective deliberative process on public and democratic issues.”

“Therefore, the strengthening of the guarantee of freedom of expression is a precondition for the exercise of other human rights, as well as a precondition to the right to participation to be informed and reasoned.”

“The media including the affected 53 broadcast stations play an essential role, as they allow millions of Nigerians to access both the relevant information and a variety of perspectives that are necessary for reaching reasonable and informed conclusions on matters of public interest.”

“The Plaintiffs recognize the mandates of NBC to regulate broadcasting. However, the exercise of such mandates including renewals or revocation of licenses must follow the thresholds and guidelines set by the right to freedom of expression.”

“The free circulation of ideas and news is not possible except in the context of a plurality of sources of information and media outlets. The lack of plurality in sources of information is a serious obstacle for the functioning of democracy.”

“The NBC Act and Broadcasting Code cannot and should not be used in a manner that is inconsistent and incompatible with plurality of voices, diversity of voices, non-discrimination, and just demands of a democratic society, as well as the public interest.”

“Broadcasting is a means of exercising freedom of expression. Any restrictions on freedom of expression must meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”

“The regulation of broadcasting must aspire to promote and expand the scope of the right to freedom of expression, not restrict it.”

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BREAKING: Hundeyin Surrenders To Ribadu

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The continual hounding of independent voices by the Nigerian Government has seen investigative journalist, David Hundeyin throw in the towel.

Hundeyin vented his frustration with failure to raise Nigeria’s national consciousness to desired levels, despite dedicating over six years to the project.

He made the disclosure in a statement on his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Monday.

According to him, the Nigerian Government has been busy networking with other nations on his repatriation while Nigerians snore because “my fundamental objective – to help uplift the consciousness of my people – has not had any success. Basically, I have failed. Whatever I’ve been doing is not working.”

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He wrote, “At the end of the day, if people tell themselves a lie long enough that they start to believe it and make real-world decisions based on it, the loser is not me.

“My life is an open book. Literally. A 590-page book you can find on Amazon or Roving Heights. There’s nothing about me, my personal history, or my motivations that is a secret.

“If the urge to believe things about me that came out of someone’s hallucinations outweighs the importance of the value that I create, then I’m clearly not creating enough value for my people, which is fine.

“The thing is that I cannot really do more than I have already done. I’m already at my physical and mental limits. I have gone through things and put myself through experiences that normal people will never witness in 3 lifetimes.

“One thing I have always been very clear about is that my motivations are internal. I have always believed that I have to do what I have to do because it is nobody else’s job to fight for my future and that of my unborn children. I’ve never done any of this for external validation. I live way too much inside my own head for any of that to matter anyway.

“So if the situation now is that the ability of a noisy minority to poison the well of public opinion with some of the most malicious and mean-spirited lies in existence outweighs the urgency of what I try to do in a space where 200 million people are being constantly manipulated and casually exterminated like they’re 200 million ducks or catfish, then I have to acknowledge that I have failed.

“Even right now, Nuhu Ribadu’s NSA Office has been busy speaking to the authorities in Kenya, Ghana and the UK as recently as last week, while they continue to work on their obsession of bringing me to Abuja as a trophy for Emperor Bola Ahmed.

“And yet what is apparently important for public discussion is who I married or who I had sex with, plus some malaria hallucinations from a failed former journalist who never accomplished anything in his career. These are the things my people are discussing. Even at this late hour, we don’t know who our enemies are and who is on our side.

“This can only mean that my fundamental objective – to help uplift the consciousness of my people – has not had any success. Basically, I have failed. Whatever I’ve been doing is not working. I’ve spent nearly 6 years of my life on a project that hasn’t moved public consciousness forward one single inch from where I met it in 2019. I put myself into a lot of trouble along the way, but it didn’t really amount to much.

“So this is a message to @NuhuRibadu. You can leave me alone and stop talking to Ruto and Akufo-Addo about refouling me. I will not disturb you people anymore. I’ll focus on my Pan-African political commentary and news about the Sahel region, but I’m leaving the Nigerian space for you. I clearly overestimated both myself and my people.

“The mistake was mine.”

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Massive Blaze Razes Shops In Anambra Market, Millions Lost

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A fire that broke out on Sunday evening along Obodoukwu Road, near the Relief Market in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, has destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira.

The blaze caused panic and confusion as traders and residents scrambled to salvage their belongings.

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Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started in one of the shops and quickly spread to others.

“We observed thick smoke coming out from one of the shops, and before we knew what was happening, it started increasing fast,” said Ndubuisi, a local trader.

“The few traders that were around, along with some residents and passers-by, tried to fight the fire before the firefighters arrived.”

Despite their efforts, many shop owners were unable to save their goods. “Some of the victims could not take anything out of their shops,” Ndubuisi added.

“I can say that goods worth millions of naira were lost to the fire. We can’t say what caused the fire, but we pray that God comes to their aid.”

The cause of the fire remains unclear, but it caused significant damage to several shops filled with various goods.

The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident on Monday, stating that it received a distress call at 4:19 pm on Sunday, November 24, 2024.

In response, two fire trucks from the Okpoko Fire Station and Main Market Fire Station were dispatched, along with additional firefighting equipment.

Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa confirmed that the firefighters battled the blaze for several hours, preventing it from spreading further.

He said, “Our firemen were able to contain the fire and prevent it from escalating to other structures. The fire affected a few shops, but thankfully, no lives were lost.”

The Fire Service also issued a public safety reminder, urging residents to remain vigilant and fire-conscious. They concluded their operations at approximately 7:39 pm.

As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, local authorities are assessing the extent of the damage.

 

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Isanlu-Fulani Crisis: Gov Ododo Holds Emergency Security Meeting

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In a decisive move to prevent potential unrest, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has convened an emergency security meeting to address tensions between the indigenes of Isanlu and Fulani settlers.

The meeting followed allegations that a Fulani settler was killed by members of the Isanlu community, sparking fears of reprisal attacks.

The high-level meeting, held at the Government House in Lokoja, brought together representatives from both groups, traditional rulers, and security agencies.

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According to the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, the governor returned from a scheduled trip to Abuja to tackle what he described as “rising security temperatures in Isanlu.”

Fanwo stated, “The Governor had a robust meeting with the people of Isanlu and the Fulanis where he listened to their grievances and addressed them accordingly.

“He frowned at a situation where people would take laws into their hands by killing fellow humans, saying such is unacceptable and that perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.”

As part of measures to address the crisis, Governor Ododo suspended a traditional ruler linked to the incident and ordered a thorough investigation of other community leaders in the area.

He also urged leaders in Isanlu to identify and expose criminal elements within their ranks to prevent further violence.

“The Governor, without mincing words, also challenged the leadership of the Isanlu community and its environs in Yagba East to sensitize their people on the need to stop constituting security threats in the area by taking the laws into their hands.

“He particularly told them to stop harboring criminals and to ensure that criminal elements among them are reported and handed over to law enforcement agencies,” Fanwo added.

Governor Ododo also commended the Fulani settlers for their restraint and refusal to retaliate. “We commend the Fulanis for showing maturity and understanding during this difficult time. Their commitment to peace and security is appreciated,” he said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents, while maintaining a firm stance against criminality.

“No criminal will be spared. My administration will go after every criminal in the state, regardless of tribe,” he declared.

Hon. Dare Joshua, Chairman of Yagba East Local Government Area, thanked the governor for his swift response, which he said prevented a major security crisis.

The meeting, attended by top government officials, security agencies, and community leaders, concluded with both parties agreeing to embrace peace and collaborate with the government to ensure lasting security in the region.

 

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