NEWS
Court Strikes Down NBC’s Power To Fine Media Houses, Declares Actions Unlawful
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) lacks the legal authority to impose fines or unilaterally penalize independent media organizations in Nigeria.
The judgment effectively nullifies the N5 million fines imposed on four media outlets in 2022 and restricts the NBC from further sanctions without judicial oversight.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Nicholas Oweibo in June 2024, followed a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
READ MORE: Miss Universe 2024: Nigeria’s Adetshina Finishes Strong As First Runner-Up
The certified true copy of the judgment was made public last Friday.
Justice Oweibo held that the NBC’s imposition of fines on Trust TV, Multichoice Nigeria, NTA-Startimes, and Telcom Satellite Limited violated constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and access to information.
He described the sanctions as unlawful, emphasizing that the NBC had acted without proper legal authority.
“The NBC and its agents lack the legal power and authority to impose penalty unlawfully and unilaterally, including fines, suspension, withdrawal of license or any form of punishment whatsoever on independent media houses for promoting access to diverse information on issues of public importance,” Justice Oweibo declared.
The court also struck down the provisions of the National Broadcasting Commission Act and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code that had been used to justify the penalties, describing them as inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights laws.
Fines on Media Outlets Overturned
In 2022, the NBC fined the media houses N5 million each for airing documentaries on terrorism, including the BBC’s Africa Eye production “Bandits Warlords of Zamfara.”
The commission alleged that the documentaries glorified banditry and threatened national security.
Justice Oweibo dismissed these claims, stating that the NBC’s actions breached constitutional safeguards and undermined judicial due process.
“A fine is a criminal sanction, and only the court is empowered by the Constitution to impose it,” the judge ruled.
SERAP and CJID’s Legal Standing Upheld
The court also addressed NBC’s challenge to the legal standing of SERAP and CJID in filing the lawsuit. Justice Oweibo ruled that the organizations were well within their rights to sue, describing the case as one of significant public interest.
“SERAP and CJID have been vested with locus standi… Considering their core mandates and the affidavit in support of their suit, it is to be seen that this is a public interest case,” he said.
The judge added that NBC’s actions violated fundamental rights under sections 22, 36, and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, as well as Articles 1, 7, and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The court granted several declarations and orders in favor of the plaintiffs, including:
A declaration that the fines imposed on the media houses were unlawful and violated the principles of legality and proportionality.
An order setting aside the N5 million fines imposed on Trust TV, Multichoice Nigeria, NTA-Startimes, and Telcom Satellite Limited.
A perpetual injunction restraining the NBC from imposing further penalties on media houses without judicial authorization.
Reactions to the Judgment
Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP, welcomed the judgment and urged immediate compliance.
“We urge the NBC to demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgment of the court,” he said.
Oluwadare also called on President Bola Tinubu to direct relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Information and Culture, to disclose agreements impacting media freedom, such as the NBC’s deal with Twitter.
“The immediate enforcement and implementation of the judgment will be a victory for the rule of law, freedom of expression, and media freedom in Nigeria,” he added.
This ruling is seen as a significant victory for press freedom in Nigeria, particularly as journalists and media organizations face increasing regulatory scrutiny.
Legal experts say the judgment reaffirms the judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights and ensures that regulatory bodies like the NBC operate within the bounds of the law.
Justice Oweibo emphasized the need to protect public interest, noting that punishing media houses for documentaries addressing critical security issues could have a chilling effect on journalism.
NEWS
‘Celebrate This Poor Man’ – Shettima Defends Tinubu Over Economic Crisis
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership saved the country from a potential implosion.
Shettima said Nigeria’s economy had been teetering on the edge of collapse before Tinubu’s intervention, adding that the country could have faced a different situation.
“The economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, we were on a cliff edge,” the Vice President said.
ALSO READ: Subsidy Removal, FX Reforms Driving Fresh Oil Sector Investment – Shettima
“So he literally saved the nation from an implosion. That could have been the scenario. So, instead of demonizing him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”
Shettima also called for a return to the drawing board, expressing confidence in the leadership’s commitment and the prospects for the 2027 elections.
“I believe on the bottom of my heart that with this presentation I have seen, and with the commitment of our leadership, by the grace of God, we are going to win,” he said.
Speaking about the 2027 elections, the Vice President reminded his audience that social media platforms should not be mistaken for actual polling stations.
“There are no polling stations on Facebook or Instagram,” he said.
Shettima also expressed gratitude for the efforts made towards promoting the cause of the 2027 elections.
NEWS
FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi
Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).
Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.
READ ALSO: Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future
In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.
The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.
He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.
Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.
Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).
The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.
NEWS
Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future
To secure a bright energy for her teeming population, Nigeria must sustain the momentum of reform, accelerate investment, and deepen partnerships.
This view was expressed by Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) Ronald Adams in Lagos at the weekend.
Delivering a keynote address at the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) of the Lagos Business School (LBS), Adams called for regulatory certainty through efficient execution of reforms, sustained investment appeal to enable projects to move more swiftly from opportunity to production and partnership by operators, regulators, NNPC Limited and communities to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s resources.
Adams cited Nigeria’s huge oil and gas resources as an advantage but pointed out: “Resources alone do not guarantee prosperity. Prosperity comes when resources are matched with investment, technology, sound policy and disciplined execution. Success will be determined not by the size of our resources, but by our ability to convert them into investment and economic growth.”
Adams pledged the support of Shell towards a bright energy future of Nigerians. He said: “For more than six decades, Shell has been part of Nigeria’s energy journey. Together with our partners, we have helped develop major energy infrastructure, supported Nigerian businesses, invested in talent, and contributed to economic development. Bonga remains a powerful example of what technology, partnership and Nigerian capability can achieve in deepwater operations. Today, that story continues through Bonga North.”
READ ALSO: ADF Targets 5 Million Students, 2 Million Vulnerable Women
Issuing a clarion call for action by all stakeholders, he added: “The world is not standing still. Capital is moving, technology is advancing and competition is intensifying. The countries that attract investment tomorrow are those that improve competitiveness today. Nigeria has begun that journey. Our task is to sustain the momentum and translate reform into projects, projects into growth, and growth into shared prosperity.”
The conference, the 4th in the series had at its theme; “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy Reform, Capital Mobilisation, and Pathways to a Sustainable Power and Energy Market” and was attended by top government officials, industry captains, energy professionals, and students.
Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat represented Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the guest of honour. SNEPCo was a principal sponsor of the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) and mounted a well-received exhibition on its deepwater operations and social investments across Nigeria.





