innosreport

(Nigeria) 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 by its President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, on Wednesday, the Guild salut...

(Nigeria) The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has been restrained by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, from imposing fines on broadcast stations in the country. Trial judge in the matter, Justice James Omotosho also set aside the N500,000 fines imposed on March 1, 2019, on each of 45 broadcast stations. The court made the orders in its judgment a suit by the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda, MRA, which had sued the NBC. Justice Omotosho held that the NBC, not being a court of law, had no power to impose sanctions as punishment on broadcast stations. The court further held that the Nigeria Broadcasting 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. He said the court would not sit idle and watch a body imposing fine arbitrarily without recourse to the law. He said that the commission did not comply with the law when it sat as a complainant and at...

(Nigeria) The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Council, has urged media practitioners to take cognisance of quality news reporting to enhance the profession as the World marks the Press Freedom Day. The union in a statement by Lagos State Council, Chairman, Adeleye Ajayi and Tunde Olalere, Secretary, on Wednesday, noted that the quality of our news reports was very essential. The union recalled that over the past 30 years, World Press Freedom Day celebrations had taken the media on a journey, giving prominence to the right to free expression and emphasizing various aspects of press freedom’s importance. Celebrated May 3, this year’s theme for the Day: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights,” is very apt. The union added that in the face of multiple crises globally, media freedom, journalists’ safety and freedom of expression, as well as other human rights were increasingly under attack. NUJ said that the day reminded the...

(Nigeria) Media Rights Agenda, MRA, on Wednesday, called on the Federal Government to ensure adequate protection for media freedom in law and in practice, noting the relentless attacks on the media over the years had also undermined the general human rights protection for all Nigerians, democracy and sustainable development in the country. MRA in a statement to commemorate this year’s World Press Freedom Day and the 30th anniversary of proclamation of the Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, said by strengthening the right to freedom of expression, which is a critical human right that serves as a driver for all other human rights, the Government could ensure a future where all other human rights are adequately protected and respected in Nigeria. MRA’s Programme Director, Mr. Ayode Longe, noted in the statement that given enormous duty imposed on the media by the Constitution, particularly Section 22, which requires the media sector to ensure that the Government lives ...

*Inauguration of Chief  Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (right), as new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. (Nigeria) The five governors of the South East states and other leaders of the zone on Sunday unanimously adopted and inaugurated Chief  Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo, as the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. The decision was reached during a closed door meeting of members of Ohanaeze Imeobi with the governors and other Igbo leaders held at the state-of-the-art Banquet Hall, Enugu, newly constructed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration. The Banquet Hall is located within the premises of the remodelled Old Government Lodge, GRA, Enugu. The meeting had in attendance Governor Ugwuanyi, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, and the Deputy Governors of Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states, Ude Chukwu, Dr. Kelechi Igwe and Prof. Placid Njoku respectively, who represented their governors, accordingly. Other Igbo leaders at the event include former g...

*Mr. Peter Obi addressing the Muslim community (Nigeria) Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, has celebrated the Eid el Fitr with the Muslim community in Anambra State at the Central Mosque in Onitsha. Obi series of tweets on Sunday, said: “Today, at the Central Mosque, Onitsha, I joined the Muslim Community in Anambra State to celebrate and share in the joys of Eid el Fitr. I am very grateful for the fraternal and convivial moments we shared, and especially for their kind words and prayers for a New Nigeria. “In my felicitation remarks, I prayed for Allah to accept their sacrifices, supplications, almsgiving and other good deeds as acts of Ibadah and reward them abundantly, here and hereafter. “ prayed that their respective families will be blessed and witness many more Ramadans on Earth. It was gratifying that without prodding, my hosts recounted how as the Governor of Anambra State, I had rebuilt their Mosque when it was burnt down, provided maximum s...

*President Muhammadu Buhari (Nigeria) Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, and Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID, have dragged President Muhammadu Buhari before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, praying the court to “declare arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional the N5million fine imposed on Channels Television over a recent interview with the Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.” Joined in the suit as defendants are the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, and Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture. The NBC had recently fined Channels Television N5 million over an interview with Datti Baba-Ahmed. The NBC alleged that the interview ‘violated the NBC code.’ But in the suit number FHC/L/CS/616/2023 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Lagos, the plaintiffs are asking the court to determine “whether the NBC code used to impose a fine of N5million on Channels TV and the threat of ‘higher sancti...

*Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable arraigned in court (Nigeria) Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, who was arraigned before the Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ifo, Ogun State, on two separate charges bothering on assault and theft of musical equipment, has been admitted to bail in the sum of N300,000 and N500, 000 in the two charges with two sureties each in like sum. Portable was arraigned before an Ogun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ifo on Monday on charges bothering on assault and theft of musical equipment. Meanwhile, Portable was remanded at Ilaro prison, pending the perfection of his bail requirements, as the court adjourned till April 26, 2023, for the commencement of trial. Portable was detained at the police headquarters on Friday after ignoring many invites. When he appeared before the court on Monday, Portable pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. Part of that charges read: “That you Badmus Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, and o...

*Agba Jalingo, journalist and publisher (Nigeria) Reprieve on Thursday, came the way of journalist and publisher of an online news platform, CrossRiverWatch, Mr. Agba Jalingo, as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, granted him bail in the sum of N500, 000, with one surety in like sum. Recall that Jalingo, who was remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja on Monday, was accused of publishing an article that disparaged one Mrs. Elizabeth Ayade, wife of the younger brother of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State. He was arraigned on a two-count charge of Cybercrimes, brought against him by the police. The charge is punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. At the hearing in the matter, Thursday, Jalingo, through his lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, applied to be released on bail pending the determination of the case against him. The prosecution did not oppose the bail application. It its ruling, ...

*Agba Jalingo (Nigeria) A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday, ordered the remanded of a journalist and publisher of an online news outlet, CrossRiverWatch, Mr. Agba Jalingo, in Kuje prison custody, accused of publishing an article that disparaged one Mrs. Elizabeth Ayade,  wife of the younger brother of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State. Jalingo, who is a frontline critic of the governor Ayade's administration, was accused of engaging in false publication that was intended to cause annoyance, ill will and insult to the person of Mrs. Ayade. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. Trial judge, Justice Zainab Abubakar remanded Jalingo at Kuje prison. He was arraigned on a two-count charge brought against him by the police. The charge is punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015. Meanwhile, following his arraignment, the prosecution applied for a trial date, which was not opposed by the defence counsel. Jalingo...

(Nigeria) Media Rights Agenda, MRA, has asked the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, through an application made pursuant to the Freedom of Information, FOI, Act, 2011 to provide it with details of the independence reportedly granted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Commission in the exercise of its regulatory functions. NBC’s Director General, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, had announced at a media briefing in Abuja on February 9, 2023, that the President had approved the independence of the commission from any political interference in the exercise of its regulatory functions, particularly with respect to the issuance and withdrawal of broadcasting licences. In an FOI request addressed to the Director-General by Mr. Monday Arunsi, a Legal Officer, MRA asked the NBC for further details on the nature and scope of independence granted to the NBC. * President Muhammadu Buhari In particular, MRA asked for information on whether the power vested in the Minister of Information under S...

* Mr .  Nnamdi @chude (Nigeria) Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi has expressed regrets over the arrest of social media influencer, Mr . Nnamdi @chude over his tweets, saying “ Arbitrary use of our office or in unrestrained way will do no one any good, including those in authority .” Obi in a series of tweet on Tuesday, said: “ After due enquiries, I regret to say that the arrest of Mr . Nnamdi @chude is a further confirmation of Nigeria’s poor and declining performance in the r ule of l aw, v oice and a ccountability, and other governance indicators. “ With voice, and a ccountability, the number one key indicator of good governance, it is very important, particularly for those in authority to note and accept that freedom of expression is a fundamental right and ingredient for the development of a good society. “ While I appreciate that the freedoms must be exercised in line with the rule of law, arresting Nigerians for tweeting on their leaders a...

(Nigeria) Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project , SERAP , has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “instruct Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, and the National Broadcasting Commission , NBC , to urgently withdraw the ‘last warning’ and threat to revoke the licenses of broadcast stations and shut them down over their coverage of elections and post-election matters.” The NBC had last week threatened to revoke the licenses of broadcast stations and shut them down “if they continue to allow unpatriotic individuals on their platforms to make utterances that are subversive, hateful, and inciting, and negative conversations particularly in the post-2023 Presidential Election.” But in a letter dated March 11 , 2023 , by SERAP deputy director , Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, “The ‘last warning’ and threat by the NBC if not immediately withdrawn would limit freedom of expression and the ability of broadcast stations to cover important issues arou...

(Nigeria) The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Council has commiserates with the Lagos State Government and families of victims of an accident, involving a state government staff bus and a train in Lagos on Thursday. Lagos NUJ Council in a statement by its Chairman , Adeleye Ajayi and Tunde Olalere , Secretary , on Thursday, said: “ We are saddened by the fatal accident which claimed some lives and left several occupants of the bus injured. “ We commend the quick response of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu , who visited the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in deep sympathy with the victims and called for urgent medical attention to those injured. “ We, however , advise that the Nigeria Railway Corporation , NRC, and governments at all levels should ensure strict compliance with the rules at rail crossings. “ We pray that God will console the families of those who lost their lives and also pray for quick recovery of those injured in the accident. ”

* NUJ National President,  Mr.  Chris Isiguzo (Nigeria) As the 2023 general electioneering campaigns officially kick off on Wednesday, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has called on politicians seeking positions into various offices and their teeming supporters across the country to do everything possible to protect Nigeria's nascent democratic process, stick to the rules of the game and run factual and issue - based campaigns, to avoid increased tension in the polity. NUJ National President, Mr. Chris Isiguzo gave the charge when he played host to Oche Precious Edeh, Convener of the "Value Your Vote Campaign and his" team who paid him a courtesy visit at the NUJ National Secretariat, Abuja. He said that politicians should guard their utterances to avoid confrontation and inciting statements capable of plunging the country into avoidable unrests, because according to him, the country wa s already facing enough challenges of insecurity from all parts of the coun...

*Pastor Daniel Olukoya (Nigeria) A London-based Vlogger, Ms Maureen Badejo is in the news again. But this time, for the bad as she has again lost an appeal against mounting c ourt rulings against her in respect to several defamatory statements she had made against Dr. Daniel Olukoya and his wife, Folashade. Dr. Olukoya is the founder and General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (worldwide). In the latest ruling, the High Court Appeal Centre, Royal Courts of Justice, London, on September 13 , 2022, ordered that: "Permission to appeal is refused. The application is totally without merit. Pursuant to CPR 52.4(3), the defendant may not request this decision   to be reconsidered at an oral hearing." Maureen had approached the court to upturn two judgements against her. They are:   Orders of Master Thornett dated 13 April 2021 and 3 February 2022. Case Number: QB-2020-003625 Appeal Ref: QA-2020-000054. Full text of the ruling... In the High Court...

(Nigeria) Media Rights Agenda , MRA , has asked the National Broadcasting Commission , NBC , to disclose to it the status of payment of license fees by all broadcasting stations and platforms operating in Nigeria and the amount of indebtedness of each of the stations owing license fees. In a request made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and signed by MRA’s Communications Officer, Mr. Idowu Adewale, the organisation asked the NBC to provide it with a list of all broadcasting stations and platforms operating in Nigeria licensed by the Commission and the amount that each of the licensed stations is required to pay as license fees. The FOI request was addressed to the Director-General of the Commission, Mallam Balarabe Ilehah. MRA requested in the application the status of payment of each of the licensed broadcasting stations from the date of its license to date of the request, adding that for those licensed broadcasting stations that are indebted to the Commission,...

(Nigeria) A Federal High Court in Lagos has extended the order stopping President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, from revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations in the country, and shutting down the stations for allegedly failing to renew their licenses. Justice Akintayo Aluko had on August 29, 2022 , granted an order of interim injunction following the hearing of an argument on motion exparte by Nigerian Guild of Editors , NGE , and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project , SERAP . The order was granted pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction. When the case came up before the Court for hearing today, Justice Daniel Osiagor extended the order of interim injunction pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice, and adjourned the case to October 26, 2022 , for the hearing of the originating summons. The c ourt extended the order of interim injunction following the hearing of an argument by SERAP and NG...

* Comptroller General of Immigration ,  Isah Idris (Nigeria) The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council , PEBEC , has announced the Nigeria Immigration Service , NIS , as the best performing agency of government in the area of complaints resolution for the Month of August 2022. This is contained in the recent Monthly Scorecard of the performances of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for August 2022 released by the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat , EBES , of PEBEC. Amos Okpu , Deputy Comptroller o f Immigration Service Public Relations Officer , for Comptroller General Of Immigration , in a statement, weekend, said: “ As part of efforts to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic processes in the conduct of government business and improve the quality of service delivery, PEBEC introduced platforms through which members of the public could escalate service challenges or failures in any MDA for resolution. One of such platforms is the reportgov.ng App...