News
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
Homicide: Killer husband on the run for alleged murder of wife
Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.
Tragedy struck at number 21 Olutayo Alao Street, River Valley Estate, mainland Lagos.
A mother of three simply identified as Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.
Eye-witness neighbours who confirmed the incident said that her body has since been deposited at a mortuary after she was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital at Olowoora area of the community.
Following the incident, the alledged killer husband has fled, leaving the survived three children with the dead wife’s elder brother at Akute.
The case was reported to Adigboluja Police station Ojodu-Abiodun.
News
Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day on January 15
The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Samaila Uba, disclosed this emphasising that the redesignation was to reflect the dual dual essence of the occasion in honouring the living while also acknowledging the fallen heroes.
Previously known as ‘Armed Forces Remembrance Day‘, the name has been officially changed to ‘Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.’
The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Samaila Uba, disclosed this emphasising that the redesignation was to reflect the dual dual essence of the occasion in honouring the living while also acknowledging the fallen heroes.
“January 15 is set aside annually by the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour the living personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) while acknowledging the sacrifices of those who have paid the supreme price to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity as well as the lives and properties of its citizens.
He urged the media to adopt “Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day” in all their future reportage.
“The AFN once again appreciates the media’s unwavering support in the fight against insecurity and looks forward to even stronger collaboration ahead, he said.
News
Farouk Ahmed: Dangote Takes Petition Against Ex-NMDPRA Boss to EFCC
In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.
- • Aliko Dangote and Farouk Ahmed when the going was good.
The Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, through his legal representative, has filed a formal corruption petition against former Managing Director of the Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This move follows the withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.
In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned along with sister agencies to prosecute financial crimes and corruption related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624)337.”
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, “…to investigate the complaint of Abuse of Office and Corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting”
The petition also stated that: “The commission’s firm resolve in handling this matter with dispatch is not only imperative and expedient but will also serve as a deterrent to other public officers out there with such corrupt proneness and tendencies”
The development reinforces Dangote’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
It will be recalled that on December 14, 2025, Dangote raised concerns about Mr. Ahmed’s financial dealings, alleging that the former regulator is living far beyond his legitimate means.
According to Dangote, four of Mr. Ahmed’s children attended elite secondary schools in Switzerland, incurring costs running into several millions of dollars—an expenditure that raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum industry.
Dangote listed the schools attended by Mr. Ahmed’s children: Faisal Farouk (Montreux School), Farouk Jr. (Aiglon College), Ashraf Farouk (Institut Le Rosey), and Farhana Farouk (La Garenne International School), noting that each child spent six years in these institutions.
He estimated annual tuition, travel, and upkeep per child at $200,000, totaling approximately $5 million for their secondary education.
Additionally, Dangote alleged that Mr. Ahmed spent another $2 million on tertiary education for the four children, including $210,000 for Faisal’s 2025 Harvard MBA program.
“Nigerians deserve to know the source of these funds, especially when many parents in Mr. Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto struggle to pay as little as ₦10,000 in school fees,” Dangote stated.
The petition calls for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions.
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