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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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Fans of Seyi Vibez die in fatal accident after Lagos concert (Video)

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The young lady who was flunged into the Lagos Lagoon after the fatal accident that occurred on 3rd Mainland Bridge on Sunday night has been buried according to Islamic right.

Ohibaba.com recalls that some fans of Nigerian singer, Seyi Vibez reportedly lost their lives in the fatal accident.

The victims were said to have passed away while returning from the Seyi Vibez concert on Saturday night at Lagos Island.

Sharing the devastating news, an eyewitness, @alli_ya7 posted the video of the incident on X.

While advising the public against reckless driving, she revealed that the victims had engaged in a car race on expressway.

She wrote: “They left the show and started racing on the express, trying to overtake other cars.

Why race on the highway? May their souls rest in peace. SPEED KILLS.

”The fatal incident, which involved more than four vehicles, sparked outrage and grief online.

Meanwhile, five others who died in the crashes were laid to rest at Marikaz Cemetery, Agege, on Monday morning.

Watch the video below:

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Tinubu arrives in Brazil for state visit

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President Bola Tinubu arrived in Brasília on Monday to begin a state visit focused on deepening diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Brazil.

He was received at the Brasília Air Base by senior Brazilian officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte and Brazil’s ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, also welcomed him.

According to Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will be officially received with full military honours at the Planalto Palace, followed by a private meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The two leaders will also oversee the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and address a joint press conference.

Tinubu’s delegation includes ministers, heads of agencies, and private sector leaders who will take part in bilateral meetings. The visit builds on ongoing cooperation in agriculture, defence, and trade, with recent milestones including a defence pact and strategic dialogue framework.

Key initiatives under review include the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Programme and a $2.5 billion investment by Brazilian meat processing giant JBS, both aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s food security and job creation.

This visit follows Tinubu’s recent engagements in Brazil during the BRICS Summit in July 2025 and the G20 Summit in November 2024, highlighting growing ties between the two nations.

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NEMA Emphasises on Waterways Safety Compliance by Commercial Boat Operators

So far, out of the 30 persons involved in the accident, 21 survived including 2 canoe operators, 6 dead bodies were recovered from the river and 3 persons are still missing.

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Sokoto Operations Office of NEMA (SOO) call on relevant regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the waterways to enforce compliance of safety protocols and standard in the use of canoes and boats for transportation and commercial activities, particularly ensuring the use of life jackets by crew and passengers.

The call was made in response to another boat accident that happened on Friday 22nd August, 2025 in Garin-faji, Sabon-birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Manzo Ezekiel NEMA Press unit Headquarters, Abuja, reported that a total of 30 persons were involved in canoe accident

” So far, out of the 30 persons involved in the accident, 21 survived including 2 canoe operators, 6 dead bodies were recovered from the river and 3 persons are still missing.

Search and rescue operation is still ongoing to find the 3 missing persons. However, the 6 bodies recovered from the water were already buried according to Islamic rite before the arrival of the joint team to the village.

NEMA, SOO responded to the report of the mishap yesterday alongside other stakeholders which include, NIWA, SEMA, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Red Cross, Sokoto State Ministry of Works, member representing Sabon-birni in the Sokoto State House of Assembly in the company of officials of the local government council and traditional leaders.

Sokoto Operations Office is closely monitoring the search and rescue operations and will continue to bring update on the incident.”

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