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Terrorism reporting: SERAP sues Buhari, over unlawful fines on Daily Trust, others
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) have filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari, asking the court to “declare arbitrary and illegal the N5 million imposed on Trust TV, Multichoice Nigeria Limited, NTA-Startimes Limited and TelcCom Satellite Limited, over their documentaries on terrorism in the country.”
Joined in the suit as Defendants are Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The NBC had last week imposed the fines on the media houses, claiming that their documentaries “glorified the activities of bandits and undermines national security in Nigeria”, and contravene the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
But in the suit number FHC/L/CS/1486/2022 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP and CJID are seeking: “an order setting aside the arbitrary and illegal fines of N5 million and any other penal sanction unilaterally imposed by the NBC on these media houses simply for carrying out their constitutional duties.”
According to the plaintiffs: “The NBC and Mr Lai Mohammed have not shown that the documentaries by the media houses would impose a specific risk of harm to a legitimate State interest that outweighs the public interest in the information provided by the documentaries.”
The plaintiffs said: “The documentaries by these independent media houses pose no risk to any definite interest in national security or public order.”
The plaintiffs also said, “It is inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] to invoke the grounds of ‘glorifying terrorism and banditry’ as justifications for suppressing access to information of legitimate public interest that does not harm national security.”
The plaintiffs also said, “The documentaries by the independent media houses are in the public interest, and punishing the media houses simply for raising public awareness about these issues would have a disproportionate and chilling effect on their work, and on the work of other journalists and Nigerians.”
According to the plaintiffs, “The action by the NBC and Mr Lai Mohammed is arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional, as it is contrary to section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, and international human rights treaties including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has ratified.”
The suit filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by their lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Adelanke Aremo, read in part: “A fine is a criminal sanction and only the court is empowered by the Constitution to impose it. Fine imposed by regulatory agencies like the NBC without recourse to the courts is unfair, illegal, and unconstitutional.”
“The grounds of ‘glorifying terrorism and banditry’ used as the bases for sanctioning the media houses are entirely contrary to constitutional and international standards on freedom of expression and access to information.”
“Imposing any fine whatsoever without due process of law is arbitrary, as it contravenes the principles of nemo judex in causa sua which literally means one cannot be a judge in his own cause and audi alteram partem which means no one should be condemned unheard.”
“Article 19 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights establishes the right to freedom of opinion without interference. Article 19(2) establishes Nigeria’s obligations to respect ‘the right to freedom of expression,’ which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information, regardless of frontiers.”
“Under article 19(3), restrictions on the right to freedom of expression must be ‘provided by law’, and necessary ‘for respect of the rights or reputations of others’ or ‘for the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health and morals’”
“Although article 19(3) recognizes ‘national security’ as a legitimate aim, the Human Rights Council, the body charged with monitoring implementation of the Covenant, has stressed ‘the need to ensure that the invocation of national security is not used unjustifiably or arbitrarily to restrict the right to freedom of opinion and expression.’”
“The grounds for imposing fines on these independent media houses fail to meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”
“The requirement of necessity also implies an assessment of the proportionality of the grounds, with the aim of ensuring that the excuse of ‘glorifying terrorism and banditry’ and ‘national security’ are not used as a pretext to unduly intrude upon the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.”
The plaintiffs are also seeking the following reliefs:
- A DECLARATION that the act of the Defendants imposing a fine of Five Million Naira each on the independent media houses is unlawful, inconsistent with, and amounts to a breach of the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and therefore a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom;
- A DECLARATION that the use of the Broadcasting Code by the NBC to impose sanctions on the independent media houses for an alleged infractions without recourse to the court constitutes an infringement on the provisions of sections 6[1] & [6][b] and 36[1] of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 and Articles 1 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party;
- A DECLARATION that the provisions of the National Broadcasting Commission Act and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code which are arbitrarily being used by the Defendants to sanction, harass, intimidate and restrict the independent media houses are inconsistent and incompatible with sections 36[1], 39 and 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and are null and void to the extent of their inconsistency and incompatibility;
- A DECLARATION that the Defendants 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 the independent media houses for promoting access to diverse opinions and information on issues of public importance;
- AN ORDER OF COURT setting aside of the fine of Five Million Naira imposed by the Defendants, through the 3rd Defendant, each on Trust TV, Multichoice Nigeria Limited, TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV) and NTA-Startimes Limited for televising the documentary by the British Broadcasting Corporation “BBC Africa Eye” titled “Bandits Warlords of Zamfara”;
- AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants or any other authority, persons or group of persons from unlawfully shutting down, imposing fine, suspension, withdrawal of license or doing anything whatsoever to harass and intimidate or impose criminal punishment on the independent media houses or any of Nigeria’s journalists and media houses for promoting access to diverse information on issues of public importance;
- AND any other order or other order(s) that the Court deems fit to make in the circumstances
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed a series of operational successes recorded across eight states, including the rescue of kidnapped victims, the recovery of firearms and rocket launchers, the repulsion of bandit attacks and the arrest of suspects linked to armed robbery and murder.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded on October 2 and related reporting periods.
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According to the Police, the operations were recorded in Sokoto, Benue, Katsina, Ogun, Taraba, Cross River and Oyo states.
Sokoto: Police Foil Bandit Attack, Recover Rocket Launchers
In Sokoto State, Police tactical teams, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) engaged suspected bandits who attacked Tsabre Village.
The Police said the attackers were overpowered and fled into the forest with casualties.
A subsequent bush-combing operation led to the recovery of two rocket launchers, two empty AK-47 magazines, a Tecno keypad phone, a torchlight, an army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.
The Police said no casualty was recorded on its side.
Katsina: Bandits Repelled on Funtua-Zaria Road
In Katsina State, a joint team comprising VCRU, 83 Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other tactical operatives engaged suspected heavily armed bandits who reportedly blocked the Funtua-Zaria Road and opened fire on commuters.
The Police said the attackers were repelled and traffic flow was restored along the road.
Four injured commuters were evacuated for medical treatment.
The incident is being investigated by the SCID, Katsina.
Ogun: Police Rescue Nine Kidnapped Travellers
In Ogun State, the Police disclosed the rescue of nine travellers who were kidnapped on September 29, 2026, by armed men along the Benin-Sagamu Expressway.
According to the Force, the victims were released unharmed following sustained pressure mounted by the Police and sister security agencies.
“Their statements were taken and they were reunited with their families,” the Police said.
The case is being investigated by the SCID, Abeokuta.
Katsina: Four Kidnap Victims Rescued
The Police also reported the rescue of four kidnapped victims in Katsina State, as reflected in its consolidated operational returns for the reporting period.
The Force said the matter was being investigated by the SCID, Katsina.
Oyo: Three Arrested Over Alleged Robbery, Murder
In Oyo State, operatives of the VCRU arrested Akinrinola Oluwatobi, 28; Okunola Mathew, 24; and Ibrahim Rabiu, 23, in connection with the alleged armed robbery and murder of Mrs Wahab Rukayat.
The Police said the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence after operatives raided a criminal hideout in the Sabo area of Ibadan.
An iPhone 7 Plus belonging to the deceased was reportedly recovered during the operation.
The Force further stated that the complainant identified the suspects during an identification parade and that they confessed to the crime.
The case is being investigated by the SCID, Ibadan.
The Police said the various operations formed part of its ongoing efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping, cult-related activities, armed robbery and other crimes across the country.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has attributed renewed investment and stronger performance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly the removal of petroleum subsidy and reforms in the foreign exchange market.
Shettima spoke on Friday in Lagos while commissioning the ultra-modern corporate headquarters of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited in Victoria Island.
The Vice President said the reforms had confronted distortions that previously discouraged productive investment, while improved market stability was helping businesses make longer-term investment decisions.
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According to him, greater exchange-rate predictability strengthens procurement, improves investment decisions and supports production.
“The stabilisation of the market is restoring the confidence businesses need to commit capital beyond the next quarter. A business must be able to plan before it can expand.
“Greater exchange rate predictability strengthens procurement, improves investment decisions and supports production,” Shettima said.
He assured investors that the Federal Government would continue to create conditions that reward enterprise, encourage technological advancement and sustain economic growth.
“We recognise the sacrifices reform has demanded, and our obligation is to translate economic progress into better lives,” he added.
Speaking on the newly commissioned Northwest Petroleum facility, Shettima described the headquarters as a significant expansion for the indigenous company and said it demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian businesses to compete, innovate and deliver at international standards.
He said the facility sends a message to investors, customers and Nigerians that Northwest Petroleum is preparing for decades of service in a changing global energy economy.
“We take particular pride in seeing an indigenous enterprise expand with such conviction. Nigerian ownership must mean Nigerian capacity to compete, invent and deliver,” the Vice President said.
Shettima also stressed the importance of private enterprises in creating employment and economic opportunities, noting that government alone cannot manufacture prosperity.
He commended Northwest Petroleum for building a strong Nigerian presence across the oil and gas value chain since 1998, saying its continued expansion could create opportunities for young Nigerians, professionals, suppliers, transport operators, maintenance providers and other businesses.
The Vice President urged the company to use its new corporate hub to improve efficiency, coordination and productivity across its expanding operations.
He also expressed confidence that the facility would nurture creativity, reward innovation, generate profitability and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.
Earlier, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended private-sector investors for contributing to the growth of the state.
Sanwo-Olu described the private sector as the “oil of growth” and reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He also thanked investors in the oil and gas, financial services and construction sectors for their contributions to the development of Lagos.
The Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited, Winifred Akpani, said the new facility represented the company’s growth, confidence in Nigeria’s future and determination to build a modern Nigerian company capable of operating to high standards.
Akpani said the smart building was designed to promote collaboration, strengthen operational efficiency, encourage innovation and empower the company’s workforce.
She added that the future of the energy industry would increasingly depend on innovation, technology, responsible investment, strong partnerships and the development of Nigerian talent.
Also present at the commissioning were former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Fatima Aliko-Dangote, Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Oil and Gas, WAEP, and Fertilizer, Dangote Industries Limited; former Delta State Governor James Ibori; and other business and industry leaders.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Lagos to commission the new corporate headquarters of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited.
Shettima, who is the Special Guest of Honour at the event, is expected to deliver the keynote address and officially commission the facility alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other government and private-sector leaders.
SEE ALSO: UN Secretary-General Race: Shettima Says Nigeria Will Back Equity, Justice and Fairness
The development was disclosed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President on Friday.
Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited is an indigenous oil and gas company involved in the importation, supply, distribution and storage of petroleum products, as well as crude oil export activities.
The investment is being positioned in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda of mobilising private capital, strengthening indigenous businesses and expanding the role of the private sector in Nigeria’s economic development.
The Tinubu administration has continued to emphasise private-sector-led growth and investment mobilisation as key components of its development strategy, with a focus on job creation, increased productive capacity and a more competitive economy.
The commissioning brings together senior government officials and private-sector stakeholders as the administration seeks to encourage greater domestic investment and enterprise development.
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