NBC to appeal judgement nullifying powers to impose fines

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it will appeal a ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying its powers to impose fines on erring broadcast stations.

Its reaction to the Wednesday ruling by Justice James Omotosho was contained in a statement signed by its Director General, Balarabe Shehu Illelah.

Omotosho, while ruling on a suit filed by Incorporated Media Rights Agenda, declared that NBC was not a court and had no power to impose fines as punishment on broadcast stations.

He held that the NBC code, which gives the commission the power to impose a sanction, was in conflict with Section 6 of the constitution, which vested judicial power in the court of law.

He added that the NBC, not being Nigerian police, had no power to conduct a criminal investigation that would lead to a criminal trial and the imposition of sanctions.

But the NBC, in its statement on Friday in Abuja, said that it had applied for a certified copy of the judgment.

“The commission will appeal against the judgment when it is found to be in conflict with previous judgments that empower NBC to regulate broadcasting in Nigeria,” the statement said.