Court Stops NBC from Imposing Fines on Broadcasting Stations

A Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed an application filed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to vacate the judgment ordering it to stop imposing fines on broadcasting stations in the country.

Justice James Omotosho last May 10, had issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining NBC from imposing the fines.

The judge also set aside the N500,000 fine imposed in March 2019 on each of the 45 broadcasting stations for violating its code.

On Thursday, Justice Omotosho struck out all the defense of NBC to set aside the perpetual injunction, calling it an afterthought.

The judge noted that NBC had failed to file its defense against the May 2023 judgment, despite being served with notification in the case.

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Justice Omotosho said there was an affidavit testified to by the court’s bailiff, confirming that the court’s proceedings were served on the NBC multiple times.

The respondent applicant cannot claim it was not served. The objection is hereby overruled, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Omotosho, on May 10, issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining NBC from imposing fines on broadcast stations.

The judge, in a judgment, also set aside the N500,000 fines imposed on March 1, 2019, on each of the 45 broadcast stations alleged to have violated its code.

He held that NBC, not being a court of law, had no power to impose sanctions as punishment on broadcast stations.

He further held that the NBC Code, which gives the commission the power to impose sanctions, is in conflict with Section 6 of the Constitution, which vests judicial power in the court of law.