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
Just in: Tuggar resigns as Foreign Minister
Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the President in preparation to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet to pursue the Bauchi State governorship in the 2027 elections.
The Ministry confirmed the resignation on Monday through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the President in preparation to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.
Tuggar’s resignation comes following a presidential directive issued earlier in March.
The order, communicated through the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, required all political appointees seeking elective positions to resign by March 31, 2026.
The directive applies to ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, and heads of federal agencies.
News
Lagos High Court Embraces Full Digital Transformation with Mandatory E-Filing
The Federal High Court Lagos Division is set to fully transition to a digital era, as it mandates electronic filing for all new cases starting from April 27, 2026.
In a major push towards modernizing justice delivery, the court announced that manual filing of new cases will cease on April 24, 2026. From April 27 onwards, legal practitioners will be required to file all fresh matters exclusively through the court’s new e-filing platform.
Existing cases filed before the transition date will continue to be processed under the traditional manual system until final judgment is delivered, ensuring no disruption to ongoing litigation.
According to a statement from the court, any understatement of claims or misrepresentation of documents submitted via the platform will attract a penalty of ₦10,000 per filing, in addition to the payment of any outstanding fees.
To gain access to the e-filing system, lawyers must first obtain a Legal Mail account. Law firms are also required to upload their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration documents when creating their digital profiles.
Oath-related documents will be handled through the dedicated e-Affidavit portal. However, deponents will still be required to physically appear before a Commissioner for Oaths to complete the process.
This initiative forms part of the Federal High Court’s broader digital transformation drive aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in the justice system.
Legal practitioners are advised to familiarize themselves with the platform ahead of the deadline to avoid any hitches in filing new matters.
News
President Tinubu at 74, Donates Salaries to Armed Forces Welfare Fund
As a personal commitment, the President has pledged to contribute all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative, reinforcing his resolve to ensure that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the establishment of a dedicated support fund for members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, those wounded in the line of duty, and the families of fallen heroes.
The President announced the initiative on Sunday, using the commemoration of his 74th birthday, to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of the nation’s military personnel.
In a statement , Bayo Onanuga the Special Adviser to the President Information and Strategy, said that President Tinubu has directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to establish a special account for the fund, which will provide targeted support to injured service members, as well as to widows, widowers, and children of those who lost their lives in service to the country.
As a personal commitment, the President has pledged to contribute all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative, reinforcing his resolve to ensure that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.
The President called on State Governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, his friends, and well-wishers to support the initiative, noting that details of the fund will be made available in due course.
President Tinubu emphasised that the initiative is rooted in a solemn national obligation to care for those who stand in harm’s way and the families who carry the burden of their sacrifice, irrespective of insurance programmes available to members of the armed forces.
President Tinubu also stated that supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families is not an act of charity, but a duty that all must fulfil.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of military personnel and ensuring that their service to the nation is matched with dignity, care, and sustained support.”
-
News3 days agoKano Deputy Governor Resigns
-
News3 days agoEl-Rufai’ loses mother, Hajiya Umma
-
Sports23 hours agoCAF appoints Nigeria’s Samson Adamu as acting secretary general
-
Business23 hours agoGovernor Otti Commissions Ultimum Manufacturing Plant in Aba
-
Politics1 day agoJUST IN: Kwankwaso Set to Join ADC on Monday
-
News14 hours agoPresident Tinubu at 74, Donates Salaries to Armed Forces Welfare Fund
-
Politics14 hours agoPDP will contest 2027 polls, says Wike
-
Business14 hours agoOPay launches new office in Jos
