NBC Rejects Verdict against Imposition of Fines

National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has disclosed that it would appeal against the ruling by the Federal High Court Abuja, which barred it from imposing fines on Nigerian broadcast stations.

Justice James Omotosho had in a ruling, last Wednesday, said the NBC lacked the judicial powers to impose penalties on broadcast stations and gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the commission from imposing fines henceforth on broadcast stations in the country.

He also set aside the N500,000 fines imposed on March 1, 2019, on 45 broadcast stations over alleged ethical infractions during the general election.

Reacting to the ruling in a statement yesterday in Abuja, Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, director general, NBC, said the commission has applied for a certified copy of the judgment, adding that NBC would appeal against the judgment when found to be in conflict with previous judgments of the court, which empowers the commission to regulate broadcasting in Nigeria.

He said: “The attention of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has been drawn to the ruling by the Abuja Federal High Court nullifying the powers of the commission to impose fines on broadcast stations that violate the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. In view of the foregoing, the commission has applied for the certified copy of the judgment. It is global best practice and ethics of the legal profession that no party to a suit can freely comment on a judgment it has not seen or read.

“The Commission will appeal against the judgment when found to be in conflict with previous judgments of the court which empowers the Commission to regulate Broadcasting in Nigeria.”