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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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Lagos to divert traffic for 64 days as Lekki–Epe Road reconstruction begins

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, said that the rehabilitation works on Sections 2 and 3 of the expressway will commence on Sunday, 25 January 2026, and last for an estimated 64 days.

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• Sangotedo – Bogije section of Lekki -Epe expressway / Ohibaba.com

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday announced a 64-day traffic diversion for the reconstruction of the Ajah Bridge to Admiralty section (inbound Lagos) of the Lekki–Epe Expressway.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, said that the rehabilitation works on Sections 2 and 3 of the expressway will commence on Sunday, 25 January 2026, and last for an estimated 64 days.

Daramola said that the project will follow a traffic management plan, with work carried out intersection by intersection rather than along the entire corridor at once.

Construction will be carried out both day and night to accelerate completion.

He explained that though a stakeholder meeting had been held late last year with plans to begin work, the project was postponed due to the yuletide festivities.

The festivities are over, and the state government has instructed the contractor to move to site to commence work on Sunday,” he said.

Intersections will be worked on at night to maintain better traffic flow.

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LASEMA releases update regarding fire outbreak at Computer Village Ikeja

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Following distress alerts received on it’s 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines at 0155hours, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from Command and Control Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION:
Upon arrival of LRT at the incident scene by 0215hours, it was observed that a fire outbreak occurred in a one-storey commercial building that accommodates dealers in computers and accessories in Computer Village, Ikeja.

Responders observed active flames and dense smoke, indicating intense combustion within the structure.
The one-storey commercial building is primarily used for the storage and sale of computers and accessories.
The high volume of combustible materials contributed to the rapid spread of fire.

CAUSE OF FIRE:
Cause of the fire is yet-to-be ascertained and is currently under investigation.

CASUALTIES/INJURIES

  • No fatalities were recorded.
  • One Lagos State Firefighter sustained minor injuries during the operation and was administered first aid treatment on site by LASAMBUS.

DAMAGE REPORT:

  • The entire top floor of the one-storey commercial building was completely razed by the fire.
  • All goods and properties worth millions of naira stored therein were totally destroyed by the conflagration.
  • Physical examination of the one-storey commercial building reveals partial compromise and requires immediate structural assessment.

ACTION TAKEN:

  • Upon arrival, LASEMA Response Team conducted Risk Assessment of the incident scene and cordoned off the activity area.
  • LRT activated Safety and Precautionary Measures to forestall damages to adjoining buildings and immediate environs of the incident scene.
  • Prompt interventions were implemented by LRT, and other responders, to forestall escalation of fire to adjoining buildings and eventually extinguish it.
  • LRT co-ordinated the multi-agency response to ensure a quick and safe operation.

CURRENT STATUS:

  • Firefighting operations have successfully suppressed and contained the fire within the affected building.
  • The fire was prevented from escalating to neighbouring structures.
  • Continuous damping-down operations are ongoing to eliminate residual heat and prevent re-ignition.
  • Rescue and Recovery Operation has been concluded.

RECOMMENDATIONS/NEXT STEPS

  • Conduct a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the fire
  • Carry out a structural assessment of the building to evaluate safety
  • Review fire safety measures and storage protocols for commercial accessory buildings in the entire area.
  • Ensure continued monitoring of the incident scene to prevent re-ignition of the fire.

RESPONDERS:

  • LASEMA Response Team – Command and Control Centre.
  • LASG Fire & Rescue Service.
  • LASAMBUS
  • Nigeria Police Force – NPF.
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Major Fire Engulfs Section of Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos

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A devastating fire broke out at the bustling Computer Village market in Ikeja on Monday, January 19, 2026, raging through parts of the popular electronics and IT hub and continuing into the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The blaze, which reportedly started in the afternoon or evening of January 19, affected multiple shops and commercial buildings in the densely packed market known as West Africa’s largest hub for computers, smartphones, accessories, and related gadgets.

Thick smoke billowed over the area as flames consumed valuable stock, including electronics and other merchandise worth potentially millions of naira.

Firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service responded to the scene, working through the night to bring the inferno under control. By Tuesday morning, January 20, the fire had been largely contained or extinguished, though pockets of smoldering remained in some structures.

No immediate reports of casualties have emerged from the incident, but traders and shop owners are said to have suffered heavy losses, with destroyed goods, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted business operations.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with preliminary indications pointing to possible electrical faults—a common risk in the area’s overcrowded and often makeshift wiring setups—though officials have not yet confirmed this.

Computer Village, located in the heart of Ikeja, is a vital economic center employing thousands and serving customers from across Nigeria and beyond. Incidents like this highlight ongoing concerns about fire safety, building regulations, and emergency response in such high-density commercial zones.

Authorities, including the Lagos State Police Command and fire service, are expected to provide further updates as assessments of the damage continue and support measures for affected traders are discussed.

Traders have begun tallying losses, and calls for better prevention measures are already circulating among market associations.

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