NBC Seeks Appeal Against Ruling on Broadcast Fines

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking permission to file a fresh appeal against a Federal High Court ruling that prohibited it from imposing fines on broadcast stations. This application follows the Court of Appeal's June 17, 2026, decision that struck out the NBC's earlier appeal due to it being “fundamentally defective.” The NBC's motion, filed by counsel Mr Dapo Akinosun (SAN), requests an extension to challenge the January 10, 2024, judgment by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, which ruled that the NBC acted unlawfully in imposing fines of N5 million each on several broadcasters for airing documentaries on banditry in Zamfara State.

The NBC argues that the judgment raises significant public interest issues regarding its regulatory authority and warns that it could create uncertainty in the broadcasting industry, potentially leading to non-compliance with standards and the spread of misinformation.