NBC Lacks Power To Fine Radio, TV Stations – Court

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has barred the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from imposing fines on broadcast stations.

The court, in a ruling on Wednesday, said the NBC lacked the judicial powers to impose penalties.

Justice Omotosho, therefore, gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the NBC from imposing fines henceforth on broadcast stations in the country.

He also set aside the N500,000 fine each imposed on 45 broadcasts on March 1, 2019.

The court 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 NBC Code, which gives the commission the power to impose sanctions, is in conflict with Section 6 of the Constitution that gives judicial power in the court of law.

He said the court would not sit idle and watch a body imposing fines arbitrarily without recourse to the law.