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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
LP’s Senator Okey Ezea is Dead
Senator Ezea, the only remaining Labour Party’s lawmaker from Enugu State in the Red Chamber, died yesterday in the United Kingdom, where he was receiving medical treatment.
Senator Okey Ezea, who represents Enugu North Senatorial District, is dead.
Senator Ezea, the only remaining Labour Party’s lawmaker from Enugu State in the Red Chamber, died yesterday in the United Kingdom, where he was receiving medical treatment.
Popularly known as Ideke, Ezea defeated former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the Peoples Democratic Party to clinch the Enugu North seat in the 2023 senatorial election.
The news of his death was confirmed by his colleague, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who expressed deep shock and sorrow.
Kalu described Ezea as a close friend, noting that their bond extended beyond legislative work to shared moments of worship at a Catholic chapel.
He praised the deceased senator as humble, principled, and God fearing, adding that Ezea’s contributions to the Senate were marked by courage and convictions.
Senator Kalu also condoled with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and the Nsukka community, acknowledging Ezea’s dedication to serving his constituents.
He prayed for comfort for Ezea’s family, describing him as a noble man whose legacy will endure.
Senator Okey Ezea’s death marks the second death in the 10th Senate, following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah last year.
News
44 lawmakers beg Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu
The lawmakers under the aegis of Concerned Federal Lawmakers, in a letter addressed to the president, urged him to, “as soon as practicable”, direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Forty-four members of the House of Representatives have written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appealing for the release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from custody.
The lawmakers under the aegis of Concerned Federal Lawmakers, in a letter addressed to the president, urged him to, “as soon as practicable”, direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The letter was signed by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Hon. Harrison Nwadike, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Hon. Murphy Osaro, Hon. Peter Akpanke, Hon. Mudshiru Lukman, Hon. Paul Nnamechi, Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus, Hon. Obed Shehu, Hon. Dominic, Hon. Ugwu Emmanuel, Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, Hon. Chike John Okafor and Hon. Adam Ogene Ogbaru.
Other lawmakers, who signed the letter, are Hon. Emeka Martins Chinedu, Hon. Chimaobi Sam, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, Hon. Donatus Matthew, Hon. Ibe Osonwa, Barr. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Hon. Mudashiru Lukman, Hon. Thaddeus Atta, Hon. Udema H. Okonkwo, Hon. Cyril Godwin, Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuike, Hon. Kama Nkemkama, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, Hon. Gwachem Maureen, Hon. Onwunka, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, Hon. Nwobosi Joseph, Hon. Amobi Godwin.
Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuike, Hon. Kama Nkemkama, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, Hon. Gwachem Maureen, Hon. Onwunka, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, Hon. Nwobosi Joseph, Hon. Amobi Godwin, Hon. Blessing Amadi, Hon. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, Hon. Dr. Joshua Audu Gana, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, Hon. Emeka Idu, Hon. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Hon. Matthew Nwogu, Hon. Tochukwu Okere, Hon. Benedict Etanabene, Hon. Godwin Offiono, Hon. Ngozi Okolie and Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi.
(From Daily Trust)
News
President Tinubu Leaves for 20th summit of the G20 Leaders
The G20 Summit, scheduled from Saturday, November 22 to Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will bring together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including representatives of the European Union, African Union, and global financial institutions.
“President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for a two-nation visit to Johannesburg, South Africa and Luanda, Angola.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“President Tinubu’s first stop is Johannesburg, where he will attend the 20th summit of the G20 Leaders. After the summit, he will proceed to Angola for the AU-EU summit,” it stated.
The statement added that President Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African leader and current G20 President, invited Tinubu to participate in this year’s edition, while President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil extended a similar invitation during his tenure in 2024.
The G20 Summit, scheduled from Saturday, November 22 to Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will bring together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including representatives of the European Union, African Union, and global financial institutions.
The theme of the summit, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” will guide discussions across three plenary sessions.
“Inclusive and Sustainable Growth; Leaving No One Behind: Building our economies, the role of trade, Financing for development and the Debt burden.“A Resilient World: the G20’s Contribution to Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change; Just Energy Transitions; Food Systems.“A fair and Just Future for All: Critical Minerals; Decent Work; Artificial Intelligence,” the statement noted.
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