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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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National grid collapses again

Distribution load figures released at 3:12 p.m. on December 29, 2025, showed that electricity supply to the country’s power distribution companies fell drastically, indicating a widespread system failure.

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The national electricity grid collapsed again this afternoon with power supply across most parts of the country dropping to near zero.

Distribution load figures released at 3:12 p.m. on December 29, 2025, showed that electricity supply to the country’s power distribution companies fell drastically, indicating a widespread system failure.

Data from the Distribution Companies (DisCos) revealed that only two operators received electricity at the time of the collapse. Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company recorded a load of 30 megawatts (MW), while Abuja Electricity Distribution Company received 20 MW.

All other DisCos were allocated zero megawatts. Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt and Yola electricity distribution companies all recorded 0 MW, pointing to a nationwide outage affecting major cities and regions.

In total, electricity distributed nationwide stood at just 50 MW, far below normal

normal operating levels and grossly insufficient to sustain power supply to homes, businesses and critical services across the country.

The latest incident adds to a series of grid collapses recorded in recent years, which have often resulted in nationwide blackouts and prolonged efforts to restore electricity supply.

The recurring failures have continued to raise concerns about the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure and the reliability of the national grid.

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Anthony Joshua’s accident caused by over speeding – FRSC

The FRSC Ogun Sector Command revealed that five adult males were involved in the crash., adding that two of the occupants who died on the spot were foreign nationals.

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Photo: FRSC officials at the scene of the accident. Credit: FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed that excessive speed and wrongful overtaking led to the crash involving British-Nigerian boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed stated that the Lexus Jeep, which was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck well packed by the side of the road.

The FRSC Ogun Sector Command revealed that five adult males were involved in the crash., adding that two of the occupants who died on the spot were foreign nationals.

Their remains have since been deposited at the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.

Joshua and the driver of the vehicle were rescued by security personnel attached to his convoy and taken to a hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

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JUST IN: Anthony Joshua escapes death in Ogun auto crash

An eyewitness disclosed that there were four occupants in the Lexus at the time of the crash, with Joshua seated behind the driver. While the boxer sustained minor injuries, two occupants of the vehicle reportedly died on the spot.

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World heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, narrowly escaped death on Monday after being involved in a road accident along the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway at Makun area of Ogun State.

Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred at about 11:00 a.m., just before Danco Filling Station, Makun, inward the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan axis of the expressway.

Joshua was reportedly travelling in a Lexus SUV with registration number KRD 850 HN, which collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are yet to be fully ascertained.

The Lexus was said to be part of a two-vehicle convoy, alongside a Pajero SUV conveying his security detail.

The Lexus was said to be part of a two-vehicle convoy, alongside a Pajero SUV conveying his security detail.

An eyewitness disclosed that there were four occupants in the Lexus at the time of the crash, with Joshua seated behind the driver. While the boxer sustained minor injuries, two occupants of the vehicle reportedly died on the spot.

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