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Nigerian Guild of Editors Commends Federal High Court Over Perpetual Order Against NBC

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The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has commended the Federal High Court Abuja, over its order of perpetual injunctions restraining the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from imposing fines on broadcast stations in the country.

Ruling on originating motions marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1386/2021, instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda against the NBC – as sole respondent in the suit, Justice James Omotosho, also set aside the N500, 000 fines imposed on March 1, 2019 on each of 45 broadcast stations.

The judge also 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 Nigeria Broadcast 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.

In a statement signed by its President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, on Wednesday, the Guild saluted the courage of the MRA – for testing the draconian NBC Act, saying the judgement has vindicated the position of the editors that NBC could not appropriate the constitutional responsibility of the judiciary arm of government.

‘’Justice Omotosho’s ruling on Wednesday vindicated our consistent position over the years that the NBC cannot be the accuser, the investigator and the judge on matters relating to alleged breach of the Broadcast Code.

‘’Our position has always been that an independent body or institution should be the one to examine any perceived infraction by the broadcast stations, which should be given the opportunity to defend themselves.

‘’The court is right in its ruling – by saying that it would not sit idle and watch a body imposing fine arbitrarily without recourse to the law’’, the Guild stated.

The court yesterday 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.

Justice Omotosho held that what the doctrine sought to achieve was to prevent tyranny by concentrating too much powers in one organ.

The umbrella of all the editors in Nigeria reiterated its earlier resolution to engage the incoming government and other stakeholders over the NBC Act and the Broadcast Code of Conduct – with the aim to amend and reform them to conform to the global best practices.

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Breaking: INEC postpones voter revalidation exercise till after 2027 elections

The decision was announced in a statement issued and signed by Mohammed Haruna, the commission’s national commissioner and chairman of its information and voter education committee.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday postponed its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general elections.

The decision was announced in a statement issued and signed by Mohammed Haruna, the commission’s national commissioner and chairman of its information and voter education committee.

Haruna said that the postponement followed deliberations at a meeting between the commission and resident electoral commissioners (RECs).

“Following deliberations, the commission resolved to postpone the exercise until after the 2027 General Election,” the statement read.

(VANGUARD)

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Plateau Community Laments ‘ No Security To Repel Attackers’

Those confirmed dead include Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Mr. Luck Titus Dakus, Mr. Habila Istifanu Dakus, Mr. Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Mrs. Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus, and Mr. Innocent Barnabas Makwin.

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People of Mbwelle village, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State lamented that the Thursday Late-night attack which left eight persons killed lasted for several hours with no visible security presence to repel the attackers.

The assailants reportedly stormed the community at about 11 p.m. on Thursday, and opened fire on residents in a sporadic shooting that lasted nearly an hour.

Seven of the victims were members of the same family, while at least three others sustained injuries and several persons are missing.

Those confirmed dead include Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Mr. Luck Titus Dakus, Mr. Habila Istifanu Dakus, Mr. Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Mrs. Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus, and Mr. Innocent Barnabas Makwin.

The Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Samuel Amalau, confirmed the incident to Arise news during a phone interview, expressing concern over the recurring violence in the area.

The Chairman condemned what he described as a resurgence of unprovoked attacks in Bokkos, particularly the incident in Mbwelle community of Kwatas Ward.

The Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai, added that the attack has heightened tension in the area.

He extended condolences to the bereaved families, noting that the killings were “a direct assault on our collective humanity and peaceful coexistence,” while also wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

He also appealed to youths to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could escalate tensions, even as he reaffirmed the right to lawful self-defense.

Also confirming the attack, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, said investigations are ongoing and assured that further details would be made available.

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CBN Debunks Viral Fake News of ₦5,000 Banknote Featuring President Tinubu’s Image

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has firmly dismissed as fake a circulating image purporting to show a new ₦5,000 banknote bearing the portrait of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, April 9, 2026, the apex bank declared: “This content is fake. Let the public be guided.” The clarification came after the image went viral on social media, sparking debates and reactions among users who questioned its authenticity.

The viral mock-up, which some claimed was a “first sample” of a redesigned higher denomination note, has been identified by fact-checkers and media outlets as AI-generated.

Tests using AI detection tools reportedly showed over 90% AI-generated content, and earlier versions of similar images carried watermarks linked to Grok, an AI tool on the X platform.

This is not the first time such claims have surfaced. In 2025, the CBN similarly debunked reports of impending introductions of ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 notes, describing those as false and clarifying that no such policy or designs were in the works.

The CBN urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading image and rely only on official communications from the bank. It has not announced any plans to introduce new currency denominations or redesign existing notes with the president’s image.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by authorities to combat misinformation that could potentially cause public confusion or economic anxiety regarding the naira.

Members of the public are advised to verify currency-related information directly through the CBN’s official website (cbn.gov.ng) or verified channels.

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