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Nigerian Guild of Editors Commends Federal High Court Over Perpetual Order Against NBC
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.
News
Obidient Movement congratulates Amupitan on appointment as INEC chairman
In a statement jointly signed by Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator, and Nana Kazaure, Director of Strategic Communications and Media, the movement commended President Bola Tinubu for the appointment and extended its warm felicitations to the new INEC chairman.
Supporters of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, have congratulated Professor Joash Amupitan on his appointment as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group, under the aegis of the Obidient Movement, expressed optimism that Amupitan’s leadership would usher in a new era of credibility and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement jointly signed by Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator, and Nana Kazaure, Director of Strategic Communications and Media, the movement commended President Bola Tinubu for the appointment and extended its warm felicitations to the new INEC chairman.
“As we reflect on the experiences of past INEC chairmen, we are hopeful that your tenure will mark a significant milestone in the electoral history of Nigeria,” the statement read.
“We look forward to reforms that will enhance the credibility, freedom, and fairness of our elections, particularly as we approach the 2027 General Elections.
(The Nation)
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Jubilations in Kogi Over Tinubu’s Appointment of Amupitan as INEC Chairman
On behalf of the Government and the good people of Kogi State, we assure Mr. President and the entire nation that Prof. Amupitan will uphold the confidence reposed in him and continue to bring honour to the state and to Nigeria through his dedication to credible and transparent elections.
•Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan
- The Government and people of Kogi State express profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the appointment of Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, a distinguished son of Kogi State, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
- In a statement on behalf of the state government, Kingsley Femi Fanwo Commissioner for Information and Communications, said :
- ” This appointment is a strong validation of President Tinubu’s commitment to excellence, merit, and national inclusiveness in the leadership of our democratic institutions.”
- The statement reads:” Prof. Amupitan’s illustrious career as a renowned legal scholar, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and respected administrator stands as a testament to his capacity for impartiality, integrity, and intellectual depth, qualities that are vital to the advancement of our electoral system.
- On behalf of the Government and the good people of Kogi State, we assure Mr. President and the entire nation that Prof. Amupitan will uphold the confidence reposed in him and continue to bring honour to the state and to Nigeria through his dedication to credible and transparent elections.
- We heartily congratulate Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, on this well-deserved national assignment and pray for divine wisdom, strength, and success as he assumes this critical responsibility.”
News
Former diplomat Christopher Kolade dies at 92
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr Kolade led a life marked by integrity, leadership, and service across multiple spheres — from broadcasting and diplomacy to corporate governance and academia.
•Dr Christopher Kolade
Dr Christopher Kolade, a renowned former diplomat and one of Nigeria’s most respected elder statesmen, is dead, aged 92.
“We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service; and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings,” his family announced his death in a statement on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr Kolade led a life marked by integrity, leadership, and service across multiple spheres — from broadcasting and diplomacy to corporate governance and academia.
A son of an Anglican missionary, Kolade attended Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
His academic excellence earned him honorary doctorate degrees from institutions such as the University of Sierra Leone (1976) and McPherson University (2016).
Dr Kolade began his professional journey in broadcasting, where he rose to become Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).
His career later expanded into the corporate world, where he served as Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc.
His leadership and reputation for ethical conduct earned him an appointment as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, a role he performed with distinction.
After his diplomatic service, Dr Kolade continued shaping minds and institutions as a lecturer in Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management at the Lagos Business School (LBS), and in Leadership and Conflict Management at the School of Media and Communication (SMC), both under Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.
He also served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university.
Beyond academia, Dr Kolade held key leadership roles in several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the International Institute for Communications, and the World Association for Christian Communication.
Recognised for his outstanding service to humanity, he received numerous honours, including the Order of St. Augustine medal from the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 2012, he was appointed by then-President Goodluck Jonathan as Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Board.
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