The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has strongly condemned the recent threat by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction broadcast presenters for allegedly airing personal opinions or bullying guests, describing the move as a dangerous assault on press freedom and democratic accountability.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, signed by President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, the body of editors raised “grave concern” over the NBC’s directive, which warned stations against breaches of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly in news and political programming.

While acknowledging the NBC’s stated goal of improving professional standards, the NGE argued that the commission’s language is “vague and broadly worded,” creating significant room for subjective interpretation and misuse.

“We consider such a move dangerous and injurious to journalism. It amounts to a direct assault on the principles of press freedom, editorial independence and democratic accountability,” the statement read.

“The Guild maintained that the role of journalists is to probe, challenge inconsistencies, and demand accountability, rather than providing a “comfort zone” for public officials. “Democracy does not thrive on timid journalism, but on bold, responsible, and fact-driven interrogation of issues and personalities,” the editors stated.

Warning Ahead of ElectionsWith Nigeria approaching a new election cycle, the NGE warned that the threat of sanctions could weaponize the broadcasting code, encouraging self-censorship and inhibiting the watchdog role of the media.

“This responsibility demands that journalists ask tough, even uncomfortable, questions in the public interest,” the NGE added, vowing that the Nigerian press will not be intimidated in its duty to report without fear or favour.

The Guild urged the regulator to operate with transparency, distinguishing between genuine misconduct and the legitimate exercise of journalistic duty.

The NGE’s stance follows a recent surge in criticism from media rights groups against the NBC’s latest regulatory crackdown.

The trial of the eleven defendants linked to the murder of Arise News journalist and anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu during a robbery at her apartment continued Tuesday with the third prosecution witness giving details of how arrests were made.

‎‎During proceedings at the High Court of the FCT sitting in Jabi, Maxwell Eje, an Assistant Superintendent of Police and member of the Scorpion Squad, CID-FCT Command, said that the arrest of the defendants began with Shamsu Hassan.‎‎

The police discovered, on 30 September 2025, that Hassan had fled to Zaria, Kaduna State after the robbery at Unique Apartments in Katampe a day earlier, during which Miss Maduagwu jumped to her death from her three-storey apartment.‎‎

ASP Eje informed the court that Shamsu Hassan admitted to the crime and agreed to cooperate with the authorities to disclose the hideout of others.‎‎

Hassan informed on Sani Surajo, who was receiving treatment at an unnamed hospital in Gosa, a suburb along the airport road in Abuja.‎‎

Surajo was shocked at the sight of the Scorpion Squad operatives at the hospital, the witness said.‎‎

He too agreed to cooperate and assist with useful information on the whereabouts of others who took part in the robbery.‎‎

The witness testimony of ASP Maxwell Eje did not reach cross-examination as Dennis Abu, counsel for the seventh to eleventh defendants—who also held brief for counsel to the first and third defendants—sought leave of the judge, Mohammed Idris, to attend a medical appointment.‎‎

This prompted an adjournment until Thursday, 23 April, for conclusion of the evidence-in-chief for the third prosecution witness and for cross-examination.‎

The prosecutor had earlier informed the court that he had two witnesses available at the start of Tuesday’s proceedings.‎‎

The FCT Police Commissioner instituted the lawsuit against the 11 defendants charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder in connection with the 29 September 2025 armed robbery at Unique Apartments in Katampe, Abuja, during which Arise News anchor/journalist Somtochukwu “Sommie” Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami were killed.‎

The trial began on 10 February 2026 after earlier delays due to the absence of defendants or other issues.‎

The first prosecution witness, Sani Yusuf, a civil engineer and former resident of Unique Apartments, and the second, Fatou Toborteh, another former resident, have so far testified about the events of 29 September.‎

Both described masked armed assailants raiding apartments but stated they could not identify any of the 11 defendants (who were masked during the attack).‎

The defendants are Shamsu Hassan, Sani Surajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, and Suleiman Badamosi.

Others are Zaradeen Mohammed, Musa Umar ‘Aka’ Small, Mashikur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman.‎

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the memberships of the Federal Executive Council.

In a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.

Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”