Court Bans NBC from Fining Broadcasters in Landmark Ruling

The Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a judgment that stops the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from fining broadcasters, affirming an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court that nullified penalties imposed on 45 radio and television stations on March 1, 2019, for alleged violations of the Nigeria Broadcast Code. The unanimous decision was delivered by Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi on behalf of a three-member panel.

The ruling favored the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), which had contested the NBC's authority to impose fines. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had previously ruled on May 10, 2023, that the fines were punitive measures and that the NBC lacked the authority to declare guilt on broadcasters.

Following the ruling, the NBC filed a motion in July 2023 to set aside the judgment, which was dismissed in November 2023 as a "futile afterthought." The NBC plans to appeal this decision in July 2024, while another related appeal is pending in the Federal High Court.