Business

Federal High Court bars NBC from imposing fines on broadcast stations in Nigeria

Published

3 years ago

May 10, 2023

158 Views

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from imposing fines, henceforth, on broadcast stations in the country.
Justice James Omotosho, in a judgement, also set aside the N500,000 fines imposed, on March 1, 2019, on each of the 45 broadcast stations.
Justice Omotosho held that the 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 sanction, is in conflict with Section 6 of the Constitution that vested judicial power in the court of law.
He said the court would not sit idle and watch a body imposing fine arbitrarily without recourse to the law.
He said that the commission did not comply with the law when it sat as a complainant and at the same time, the court and the judge on its own matter.
The judge agreed that the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, being a subsidiary legislation that empowers an administrative body such as the NBC to.enforce its provisions cannot confer judicial powers on the commission to impose criminal sanctions or penalties such as fines.
He also agreed that the commission, not being Nigerian police, had no power to conduct criminal investigation that would lead to criminal trial and imposition of sanctions.
“This will go against the doctrine of separation of powers,” he said.
Omotosho held that what the doctrine sought to achieve was to prevent tyranny by concentrating too much powers in one organ.
“The action of the respondent qualifies as excessiveness” as it had ascribed to itself the judicial and executive powers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NBC had, on March 1, 2019, imposed the sum of N500, 000 each on 45 broadcast stations in the country over alleged violation of its code.
However, the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda had, in an originating motions marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1386/2021, sued the NBC as sole respondent in the suit.
In the motion dated Nov. 9, 2021 by its lawyer, Noah Ajare, the group sought a declaration that the sanctions procedure applied by the NBC in imposing N500,00Q fines on each of the 45 broadcast stations on March 1, 2019 was a violation of the rules of natural justice.
The lawyer also said that the fines were in violation of the right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap AQ) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The group argued that this was so because the code, which created the alleged offences of which the broadcast stations were accused was written and adopted by the NBC, “and also gives powers to the said commission to receive complaints of alleged breaches, investigate and adjudicate the complaints, impose sanctions, including fines, and ultimately collect the fines, which the commission uses for its own purposes.”
They, therefore, sought an order setting aside the N500,000 fines purportedly imposed by the NBC on each of the 45 broadcast stations on Friday, March 1, 2019.
They also sought “an order of perpetual Injunction restraining the respondent, its servants, agents, privies, representatives or anyone acting for or on its behalf, from imposing fines on any of the broadcast stations or any other broadcast station in Nigeria for any alleged offence committed under the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.”
Delivering the judgment, Justice Omotosho decsribed the NBC’s act as being ultra vires.
He held that the fines imposed by the NBC as punishment for commission of various offences under its code were contrary to the law and hereby declared as unconstitutional, null and void.
The judge also made an order of perpetual injunction restraining the commission from further imposing fines on broadcast stations in the country.

Courtesy: (NAN)

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Following Lagos, FG moves to ban single-use plastics

In his inaugural address, the SGF, George Akume, stated that the initiative aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental standards.

Published

8 hours ago

November 12, 2025

OCHEFA

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The Federal Government has commenced the process to ban single-use plastics, inaugurating a committee to steer the policy.

Lagos government began fully enforcement ban on single-use plastics (SUPs), including styrofoam packs, plastic straws, disposable cups, plastic cutlery, and nylons less than 40 microns thick, on July 1, 2025.

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) , yesterday , set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Ban of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs).

Earlier, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during its meeting on June 25, 2024, approved the ban , specifically targeting Polyethene Terephthalate (PET) bottles, styrofoam food packs, plastic shopping bags, sachet water packaging, and plastic straws.

In his inaugural address, the SGF, George Akume, stated that the initiative aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental standards.

He said: “The FEC decision was in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle various health and environmental challenges, especially those caused by single-use plastic products and therefore, approved the ban in the country of polyethene terephthalate (PET) bottles, styrofoam, plastic bags, sachet water and straw, which has become an environmental sanitation challenge.”

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UBA commits $102m direct investments in Chad’s securities

Themed “Financing African Competitiveness – Building Bridges, Powering Progress,” the forum highlighted investment opportunities under Chad’s $30 billion Tchad Connexion 2030 development blueprint.

Published

9 hours ago

November 12, 2025

OhiBaba

18 Views

•Oliver Alawuba, GMD UBA

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced a $102 million direct investment in the State of Chad’s securities in an efforts to strengthen economic growth and financial inclusion across Africa.

The announcement was made by UBA Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, during his keynote address at the UAE–Chad Trade and Investment Forum held on Monday, November 10, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

According to Alawuba, the $102 million investment underscored UBA’s confidence in Chad’s economic potential and demonstrates its long-term commitment to financing sustainable development on the continent.

“At UBA, our commitment is two-fold: we are both architects of national infrastructure and champions of grassroots financial inclusion,” he said. “Here in Chad, this is not a promise; it is a proven track record.”

Business

Dangote Fertiliser Limited Partners German’s Firm to License Four Urea Granulation Units

Commenting on the partnership, Nadja Haakansson, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, said: “This partnership with Dangote Fertiliser Limited underscores our shared vision for sustainable industrial development and global food security.

Published

2 days ago

November 10, 2025

OCHEFA

31 Views

Thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology (UFT), a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Uhde, has entered into a strategic agreement with Dangote Fertiliser Limited (DFL) to license its advanced UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology for four new urea granulation units in Nigeria.

The agreement includes the provision of the technology license, a comprehensive Process Design Package (PDP), and the supply of proprietary equipment such as granulators and scrubbers.

Each of the four new units will have a nameplate capacity of 4,235 metric tons per day, significantly boosting DFL’s annual urea granule production from approximately 2.65 million tons to over 8 million tons.

These units will be constructed in Lekki, adjacent to DFL’s existing fertilizer complexes, which have been operating with UFT technology since 2021 and produce 3,850 metric tons per day each.

The new facilities will incorporate UFT’s energy-efficient scrubbing system, designed to minimize pressure drop while effectively controlling dust and ammonia emissions to meet stringent environmental standards.

Additionally, the plants will feature the Ammonia Convert Technology (ACT), which integrates ammonium sulfate byproducts into the urea granules, eliminating waste streams and offering logistical and commercial advantages.

By deploying our proven UFT®️ Fluid Bed Granulation Technology, we are setting new standards in efficiency and environmental stewardship in fertilizer production. We are proud to support DFL in building resilient and future-ready value chains.”

In the same vein, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said: “We are pleased to deepen our collaboration with thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology for the expansion of our fertilizer operations in Lekki.

This initiative reflects our commitment to agricultural self-sufficiency and industrial progress across Africa.

With UFT®️ technology, we are ensuring the production of high-quality urea fertilizer that meets global standards while reducing environmental impact.

This investment further positions Nigeria as a leading fertilizer producer.”

Dangote Fertiliser Limited is one of Africa’s largest fertilizer producers, committed to enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting food security across the continent while thyssenkrupp Uhde’s UFT®️ Fluid Bed Granulation Technology is recognized globally as one of the most advanced solutions for producing urea granules.

Currently, over 70% of the world’s urea granule output is produced using this technology, contributing significantly to global food supply while maintaining emissions well below regulatory limits.