News
NBC Asks Court To Set Aside Judgment Restraining It From Imposing Fines On Broadcast Stations
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has filed a motion at a Federal High Court in Abuja asking the court to set aside its May 10, 2023 judgment in which it, among other things, issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Commission from further imposing fines on radio and televisions stations.
In the motion filed on its behalf by Mr. Babatunde Ogala (SAN), the Commission is asking the court to set aside the judgment, claiming that the court lacked jurisdiction to render the verdict and that it arrived at the decision in ignorance of relevant facts.
The judgment arose from a suit instituted by Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Noah Ajare, on behalf of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), challenging the powers of the NBC to fine broadcasters, following a March 1, 2019 announcement by the then Director General of the Commission, Mallam Ishaq Kawu, that the Commission had imposed a fine of N500,000 each on 45 broadcast stations for alleged contraventions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
In his judgment delivered on May 10, 2023, Justice James Omotosho ruled that fines are sanctions imposed on a person who has been found guilty of a criminal offence and that the law in Nigeria, only Courts of law are empowered to impose sanctions for criminal offences.
READ ALSO: NBC Slams N5m Penalty On Channels TV For Breaking Broadcast Code
In setting aside the fines of N500,000 each imposed on the stations, he held that the NBC “is neither a Court nor a judicial tribunal to make pronouncements on the guilt of broadcast stations notwithstanding what the NBC Code says,” adding that the Commission’s action violated the Constitution.
But contrary to the finding of the judge in his judgment that the NBC “was served with the Originating Summons on 24th February, 2022 and served with several hearing notices but failed to file any process”, the Commission is alleging that the originating summons in the suit, which led to the judgment, was not served on it.
It is also claiming that MRA “has two un-appealed, subsisting and binding decisions of the Federal High Court on the same issues and parties” and that rather than appeal those decisions, it brought a fresh suit, setting the Court on a collision course with decisions of the other Federal High Court in the same complex.”
The NBC cited in support of its claim a suit filed by MRA in 2021 against the NBC in which the organization challenged the constitutionality and legality of the Commission’s action on May 27, 2020 in imposing fines of N250,000 on Breeze FM radio, based in Lafia, Nazarawa State; N500,000 on Adaba FM radio in Akure, Ondo State; and N250,000 on Albarka FM radio in Ilorin, Kwara State. Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu delivered judgment on March 2, 2023, dismissing the suit.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: NBC Has No Powers To Fine Broadcast Stations, Court Rules
It also cited another suit brought against NBC by seven organisations, namely the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP); the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID); MRA, HEDA Resource Centre; the International Centre for Investigating Reporting (ICIR); the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL); and Premium Times.
In that suit, the seven organizations challenged the NBC’s imposition of fines of N3 million each on Channels Television, Arise Television and the Africa Independent Television (AIT) over their coverage of the ENDSARs protests as well as another imposition of a fine of N5 million on Nigeria Info 99.3 by the NBC without giving the stations an opportunity to respond any allegation against them.
Justice Nkeonye Maha delivered judgment in the suit on April 26, 2022, dismissing the suit.
The NBC is claiming that these suits and their outcome was not brought to the attention of court and that if the court had been aware of them, it would have reached a different decision in its May 10, 2023 judgment.
Justice Omotosho has fixed hearing of the motion for October 5, 2023.
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News
CAC Unveils AI-powered Portal For 30-minute Company Registrations
Published
2 hours agoon
July 1, 2025By
Editor
The Corporate Affairs Commission has launched a pilot Artificial Intelligence-powered registration portal to overhaul the current Company Registration Portal.
The Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, disclosed this at the 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum meeting.
A statement issued by the commission on Tuesday described the initiative as a game-changer aimed at significantly reducing registration timelines and enhancing the ease of doing business across the country.
According to Magaji, the new system allows for instant name reservation approvals, likening the process to opening an email account.
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“It is intelligently designed to suggest available alternatives and grant real-time approvals, removing the traditional bottlenecks,” he said.
One of the portal’s standout features is its ability to facilitate business registration using only the National Identification Number of a director or proprietor.
Magaji said that once real-time NIN verification is successful, a certificate of incorporation would be generated and delivered to the applicant’s email within 30 minutes.
He stated, “The target time for business registration is under 30 minutes to generate a certificate and deliver to the customer’s email, subject to real-time NIN verification.”
READ ALSO:CAC’s Good Women Choir Leader, Fasoyin, Speaks On Composition Of ‘Odun Nlo Sopin’ Song
While acknowledging that some delays may still arise due to external validations from the National Identity Management Commission, he revealed that a contingency plan has been built into the platform, using AI-powered photo ID matching to overcome such hitches.
In addition, the Commission plans to introduce a two-factor authentication system with OTP verification for all transactions.
This, according to him, will ensure no changes can be made to company records without the explicit knowledge and consent of the registered directors.
Magaji further announced that a CAC mobile application would be launched in the final quarter of 2025 to allow users to track and manage transactions on the go.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: CAC Gives Unregistered Businesses Deadline, Warns Of Jail Term
Speaking on new partnerships, he disclosed that the Commission is currently reviewing over 100 requests from local and international super agents, including the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System, aimed at deepening access and streamlining services.
Meanwhile, the Registrar-General also revealed that the Commission would commence a review of its service fees effective August 1, 2025, citing the need to maintain service quality and implement ongoing reforms.
The statement added that goodwill messages at the forum were delivered by the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, Cordelia U. Eke; Chairman, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, Sir Sebastian Essien; and Chairman, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Elder Dogala Sakpege.
Also in attendance were Mechi Brown, Director of Industry at the Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Miema Akpa, who represented the Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Port Harcourt branch.
A CAC technical team was present during the event to attend to customer complaints and provide on-the-spot solutions to registration challenges.
News
Lagos Monarch Dethrones Six Chiefs For ‘Impersonating’ Him At Labour Party Campaign
Published
3 hours agoon
July 1, 2025By
Editor
The Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom, Oba AbdulFatai Oyegbemi, has dethroned six chiefs for attending the campaign flag-off of the Labour Party at the Apapa area of Lagos State.
The monarch stated that the chiefs had attended the political event without his consent and had violated palace protocol by impersonating him there.
The affected chiefs are Chief Lateef Ojora (Bale Alaba Oro), Chief Saliu Biliamin (Bale Alafia Dodoro), and Chief Taiwo Hassan (Bale Oke Ira).
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Others are Chief Idris Ojora (Bale Abule Kere), Chief Hakeem Oseni (Bale Mosafejo Amukoko), and Chief Sule Balogun (Balogun of Abule Kere).
The development followed a palace meeting held on Monday, where Oba Oyegbemi declared the chiefs’ actions unacceptable.
In a statement sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday, it read, “Following the outcome of this event, which unfolded without his prior knowledge, Kabiyesi Ojora summoned the Bales, Balogun, and the Ojora Councils to his ancient Palace for clarification.
READ ALSO:Lagos To Divert Traffic Ahead 110-day Repair Of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge
“In a tone marked by disappointment and authority, Kabiyesi stated that the Chiefs’ actions were in violation of their duties. He reiterated that no Chief should make decisions or act on his behalf without his explicit consent, as they all serve to represent him and uphold the traditions of the land.
“The decisive action of dethroning the six Chiefs underscores his commitment to maintaining order and coherence within his leadership structure. During this assembly, Kabiyesi also took the opportunity to commend the present Government’s ongoing development initiatives in Ojora Land, expressing his commitment to continue supporting the Administration as it fosters growth and progress for the Kingdom.”
The Lagos monarch, however, affirmed the significance of transparency and collaboration between traditional authorities and their representation in political matters, while reminding all chiefs of their responsibilities while serving under the esteemed Ojora Kingdom.
News
Senator Withdraws From Legislative Duties Over Health Challenge
Published
4 hours agoon
July 1, 2025By
Editor
The lawmaker representing the Cross River North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Agom Jarigbe, has announced a temporary withdrawal from legislative and constituency engagements due to pressing health concerns.
In a statement issued on Monday, the senator disclosed that he is currently receiving medical care and, on the advice of doctors, will be away from active duties for a short period. As a result, a widely anticipated endorsement rally scheduled to be held in the coming days has been postponed.
The lawmaker emphasised that the decision is in the best interests of his health and the effective representation of his constituents.
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He said, “This is a necessary pause, and I am having proper medical attention. God willing, I expect to fully resume my responsibilities within the next two weeks or even sooner.”
The senator expressed appreciation for the prayers and support of his constituents while emphasising that the decision to suspend the rally was taken in recognition of the need to be at full strength when engaging with the people of Cross River North.
“No mortal is immune to health challenges. This moment reminds us of the fragile nature of life and the need for compassion,” he added.
READ ALSO:Natasha Drags Ebonyi Senator To Court Over TV interview, Demands N5bn
Jarigbe also appealed to the public to disregard political attempts to exploit his health condition for ridicule. “Let us not lose our shared sense of humanity in the name of politics,” he urged.
The senator reassured the public of his commitment to returning soon to continue the work of development in the senatorial district. He encouraged those in need of urgent healthcare assistance to contact his constituency office in his absence.
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