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JUST IN: NBC Vows To Appeal Judgements Against Its Regulatory Mandates

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National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has vowed to appeal against the judgement by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the powers of the Commission to impose fines on broadcast stations that violates the provisions of the country’s Broadcasting codes.

Reacting to the ruling , NBC Director-General, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, said : ” NBC will appeal against the judgement when found to be in conflict with the previous judgements of the Court, which empowers the Commission to regulate Broadcasting in Nigeria.”

He said that the Commission has applied for a certified copy of the judgement.
It is a global best practices and the ethics of the legal profession, that no party can freely comment on a judgement it has not seen and read,” he said.

Ohibaba.com reported that in the previous judgements, an Abuja-based Federal High Court had ruled that the NBC had the authority to impose sanctions on errant stations.

At the time, Justice N. E. Maha in April 2022 had ruled in a case brought against NBC by seven organisations led by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

In a Certified True Copy of the judgement, Justice Maha had interpreted the provision of Section 2(1)(n) of the NBC Act, 1992.

The provision states, “The Commission shall have the responsibility of determining and applying sanctions including revocation of licences of defaulting stations which do not operate in accordance with the broadcast code and in public interest.”

Relying on the provision, Justice Maha held, “The law is settled that a regulator imposing fines under its enabling law in the discharge of its functions could not have acted unconstitutionally.
In Moses Ediru v Federal Road Safety Commission and 20 ors(supra) the court held that the FRSC Act gives the Commission the right to impose and enforce sanctions and such right does not derogate from the judicial powers of the court as provided in the constitution.

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BREAKING: KWAM1 goes to court to challenge Awujale selection process

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• King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall

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Alleged N2.2bn fraud: Ngige gets bail, trials continue on January 28

The EFCC alleges that Ngige used his ministerial position between 2015 and 2023 to award contracts unfairly, divert funds, and enrich himself and associates.

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‎Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has been granted bail by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gwarimpa.

He faces eight counts of charges bordering on abuse of office, contract fraud, and acceptance of kickbacks from contractors linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.‎

‎In Thursday’s ruling, Justice Maryam Hassan adopted the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.

The court ordered Ngige to produce a surety who must be a serving Federal Government director.

The surety is required to deposit travel documents with the court registrar, as Ngige claims his passport was lost.‎‎

The surety must also present landed property with a valid certificate of occupancy within the Federal Capital Territory.‎‎

The EFCC alleges that Ngige used his ministerial position between 2015 and 2023 to award contracts unfairly, divert funds, and enrich himself and associates.

The trial is scheduled to commence on January 28, 2026.‎‎

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BREAKING: Senate Confirms Former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, and Others as Ambassadors

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#The Nigerian Senate has confirmed a list of high-profile non-career ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu, including former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, social media influencer and former presidential aide Reno Omokri, and ex-Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK).

The confirmations followed screenings by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which cleared the nominees amid some procedural debates but ultimately recommended their approval.

Other prominent figures confirmed include former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, ex-governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and several former senators and political allies.

The approvals form part of a broader diplomatic restructuring by the Tinubu administration, with the nominees expected to be deployed to key missions abroad to strengthen Nigeria’s international relations.

Sources indicate that the list, which includes a mix of career and non-career diplomats totaling around 68, addresses long-standing vacancies in Nigeria’s foreign missions.

The nominations had sparked public debate earlier, with critics questioning the inclusion of politically controversial figures, while supporters highlighted their experience in public service and loyalty to national interests.

The confirmed ambassadors-designate will receive their specific postings after formal letters of credence from the president.

This development marks a significant step in revitalizing Nigeria’s diplomatic presence globally.

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