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Court Stops NBC From Shutting Down Broadcast Stations

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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Court Stops NBC From Shutting Down Broadcast Stations

The Federal High Court in Lagos has stopped President Muhammadu Buhari, and the National Broadcasting Commission from revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations in the country, and shutting down the stations for allegedly failing to renew their licenses. بوكر حقيقي على النت

Justice Akintayo Aluko (Court 8) on Monday, granted an order of interim injunction following the hearing of an argument on motion exparte by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

SERAP and the NGE had last week filed a lawsuit against Buhari and the NBC, asking the court for “a declaration that section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act used by the NBC to threaten to revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and to shut down the stations is unconstitutional and unlawful, as it violates freedom of expression.”

In the suit, SERAP and the NGE had asked the court for “an order of interim injunction restraining Buhari and NBC, their agents from revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations in the country and shutting their down operations, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in this suit.”

The suit is adjourned to September 8, 2022, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.

The suit followed the decision by the NBC to revoke the licenses of the 53 broadcast stations and shut down their operations within 24 hours over alleged N2.6 billion debt.

In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1582/2022, SERAP and the NGE are asking the court to determine “whether section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act used by NBC to threaten to revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shut them down is not in inconsistent with freedom of expression and access to information.”

SERAP and the NGE are also seeking “a declaration that section 10(a) of the National Broadcasting Act used by the NBC to unilaterally revoke the licenses of the broadcast stations and shutdown the stations is a violation of the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to a fair hearing.”

The suit, read in part, “The provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties on freedom of expression indicate that this right can be exercised through any medium.”

“Effectively, these provisions recognize that every individual has the right to an equal opportunity to receive, seek and impart information through any communication medium without discrimination.”

“The use of the NBC Act and Code, in this case, would inadmissibly open the door to arbitrariness and would fundamentally restrict the freedom of expression that is an integral part of the public order protected the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.”

“The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and information – in its individual and collective aspects – in a democratic society.”

“Indeed, the media has the task of distributing all varieties of information and opinion on matters of general interest.”

“The public has a right to receive and assess this information and opinion independently. Therefore, the existence of a free, independent, vigorous, pluralistic, and diverse media is essential for the proper functioning of a democratic society.”

“According to the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ‘licensing processes shall seek to promote diversity in broadcasting. Any registration system for the media shall not impose substantive restrictions on the right to freedom of expression.’”

“Revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shutting down their operations because they have not renewed their licenses would both seriously undermine the rights of millions of Nigerians to express their thoughts, and their right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, in any medium they choose.”

“Freedom of expression includes the public’s right to receive, and the right of those who express themselves through a medium of communication, to impart the greatest possible diversity of information and ideas.”

“The right to freedom of expression is based on the right to establish or use a media outlet to exercise freedom of expression and on society’s right to have access to a free, independent, and pluralistic media that allows for the most and most diverse information.”

“The media, including the affected 53 broadcast stations, serve to distribute Nigerians’ thoughts and information while at the same time allowing them access to the ideas, information, opinions, and cultural expressions of other individuals.”

“The exercise of the right to freedom of expression through the media is a guarantee that is fundamental for advancing the collective deliberative process on public and democratic issues.”

“Therefore, the strengthening of the guarantee of freedom of expression is a precondition for the exercise of other human rights, as well as a precondition to the right to participation to be informed and reasoned.”

“The media including the affected 53 broadcast stations play an essential role, as they allow millions of Nigerians to access both the relevant information and a variety of perspectives that are necessary for reaching reasonable and informed conclusions on matters of public interest.”

“The Plaintiffs recognise the mandates of NBC to regulate broadcasting. However, the exercise of such mandates including renewals or revocation of licenses must follow the thresholds and guidelines set by the right to freedom of expression. موقع رياضي ”

“The free circulation of ideas and news is not possible except in the context of a plurality of sources of information and media outlets. The lack of plurality in sources of information is a serious obstacle for the functioning of democracy.”

“The NBC Act and Broadcasting Code cannot and should not be used in a manner that is inconsistent and incompatible with plurality of voices, diversity of voices, non-discrimination, and just demands of a democratic society, as well as the public interest.”

“Broadcasting is a means of exercising freedom of expression. Any restrictions on freedom of expression must meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality. العاب بوكر اون لاين ”

“The regulation of broadcasting must aspire to promote and expand the scope of the right to freedom of expression, not restrict it.”

College Lecturers Protest Six Years Unpaid Allowances In Anambra

By
Alex Enemanna
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The lecturers of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State, on Monday, protested over six years of unpaid allowances.

They alleged that the Provost and management of the institution were intimidating them not to protest. They, therefore, warned them to stop intimidating their members over the development.

The protest was led by the Chairman, FCET, Umunze chapter of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Dr. Churchill Okonkwo.

Okonkwo accused the school management of neglecting the lecturers’ welfare packages and also using the divide and rule antics rather than addressing the fundamental issues.

It was gathered that the lecturers had, a week ago, declared a three-week warning strike against the management of the college, where they directed parents to withdraw their children and wards from the college in their own interests.

But the management of the college in a swift reaction denied knowledge of the strike, describing it as a fake news.

The college’s Provost, Dr Tessy Okoli, was said to have warned the students not to be deceived by the “fake” report of strike, which she said was intended to cause panic and incite students’ unrest.

Okoli also advised journalists to always verify their reports to avoid misleading the public, noting that any student that would absent themselves from school during the examination period would have themselves to blame.

But, on Monday, the members of COEASU insisted that lecturers of the college were on strike and warned the Provost and management to stop intimidating them and deceiving the public with falsehoods.

The COEASU Chairman said, “As a union, we are all aware of the sacrifices we have made as a body to carry on with our tasks in the College despite the neglect of our welfare packages by the management, who is currently so versed in the divide and rule antics instead of addressing the raised issues.

“We are also aware that if not for COEASU wielding in to source for N1 million to sponsor some members to Abuja to demand our welfare, the management didn’t care that we are owed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention since 2016 neither were they sympathetic to the fact that Teaching Practice mobilisation hadn’t been paid since 2018 and same nonchalance has also attended our demands for degree honorarium.

“It means that our meagre salaries are taxed to pay for our transportation to supervise teaching practice exercise since 2016, whereas the management always collects their Duty Tour Allowance every time they travel or leave the college environment for official duties.

“They always think that justice can be pushed aside with injustice and this is quite unfair. At our congress of Tuesday, August 23, 2022, the Provost was given a fair chance to appeal to us and make promises so that we will postpone the strike, but rather than do it, she resorted to threat.

“Our College has been made a laughing stock before the other Colleges in terms of our staff welfare, environment and governance. We are the dirtiest and most unkempt College in Nigeria with overgrown grasses everywhere. No clean sanitary facilities resulting in lecturers and students mostly relieving themselves in the highly overgrown grass velts.

“Before this new management, lecturers were assigned biros, files and markers but now we will spend our money to buy these.

“In the past, the College generators power the entire school and departments but now every school and department must buy their generator and also fuel it to make outputs; before now, accreditation are fully sponsored by the College but last accreditation HODs and Deans were given paltry sums to run around for accreditation and most of them are still being owed what they spent.

“This is something that other sister colleges do with ease and we ask; is our College created differently from other Colleges in Nigeria?”

The lecturers insisted, “That any staff participating in any examination will be penalised the Union way.

“COEASU exco will intensify monitoring exercises to ensure total compliance. That any staff that was harassed or intimidated by any management staff should quickly report to the executives.

The lecturers warned the management against keeping the students in the college in the absence of academic activities.

They described such as punishment and disservice to the parents, adding, “They cannot continue to keep the students in the College with lies when such students are not kept busy with academic activities. Remember that idle mind is a devil’s workshop.”

 

We’re Not Shielding Officer Who Stabbed Motorist To Death In Abia — FRSC

By
Alex Enemanna
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We Will Prosecute Motorists Engaged In Overloading – FRSC
FRSC

Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Abia State, Mr. Paul Ugwu, has denied shielding an officer who allegedly killed a driver at a checkpoint at Umuikaa junction along the Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway, in Isiala Ngwa South council area.

A yet-to-be-identified official of the FRSC had on August 16, 2022, allegedly stabbed a bus driver to death.

Eyewitnesses said the driver refused to part with money which led to a confrontation with the FRSC official who stabbed him to death.

The situation caused tension in the area as youths stormed the FRSC office in the area and set it ablaze.

However, there are reports that the FRSC sector commander has been shielding the killer officer and those who were on duty on the day of the incident.

Sources also alleged a secret plot by the FRSC to transfer the killer officer out of Abia state without prosecution.

“It is shocking that after almost two weeks, the FRSC has not exposed those who killed the bus driver.

“If we keep quiet, this will continue. We cannot continue to watch people killed recklessly on our highways. It’s not the first at the same Umuikaa. Last two months,a security agent shot dead another bus driver because of a false alarm raised by FRSC officers at Umuikaa junction.

“We’re hearing now that they’ve concluded plans to transfer the suspects out of Abia. This has happened before with other security agencies. We don’t want another one to happen.”

Contacted on the allegations, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Abia State, Paul Ugwu disclosed that all the FRSC officials who were on duty on the day of the incident were arrested and under detention by the police.

His words; “Those who were on patrol on the day of the incident have been arrested and are still with the police for one week now. And the Police is still carrying on with the investigation. So, I wouldn’t know where the person making the allegation is coming from,” Ugwu said.

The Commander further added that the Police have not submitted the report of their investigation and is yet to tell the FRSC that they have concluded the investigation.

Vanguard

Ebonyi LG polls: Court Bars Umahi From Appointing Caretaker Committees

By
Munachi
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0
You Need Painkillers To Pass Through Aba-Port Harcourt Road – Minister Of Works
Dave Umahi

A Federal High Court in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State, has restrained the State government led by Chief David Umahi from appointing new caretaker committees to run the affairs of the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.

One Mr. Otu Collins Eleri, Nelson Eze, and three (3) others dragged the Independent National electoral commission, INEC, the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, and the Ebonyi State government to the Court, challenging the outcome of the local government areas election conducted on 30th July 2022.

The trial judge, Justice Fatun Riman, had in the suit. No. FHC/AI/CS/151/2022, ruled that the INEC is not a rubber stamp agency and is not under any duty whatsoever to release the Register of Voters to Ebonyi State Independent National Electoral Commission for purposes of using the same in the conduct of Local Government Elections in the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.

Justice Riman, also in his ruling, stated that the tenure of office of Local Government Area Chairmen in Ebonyi State remains three (3) years and that the tenure of the current chairmen will expire in August 2023.

The Court judgment signed and issued to newsmen by the court registrar, Chigbu Stephen reads in a part: “That the tenure of office of Local Government Chairmen and Councilors in Ebonyi State is three years and that the tenure of the present crop of Chairmen and Councilors in Ebonyi State will expire in August 2023.

“That the 3rd defendant (Ebonyi State government) lacks the vires, authority, enablement, etc to appoint Caretakers. Caretaker Committees and/or anybody or persons by whatsoever name or nomenclature called that are unelected democratically to run, manage, superintend, etc, the affairs of the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.

“That the Independent National Electoral Commission is not a rubber stamp agency and is not under any duty whatsoever to release the Register of Voters to Ebonyi State Independent National Electoral Commission for purposes of using same in the conduct of Local Government Elections in the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, without availing the plaintiffs and members of the public with the extant Law or Laws, if any meant to regulate the said exercise.

“That the Independent National Electoral Commission for itself, its agents, servants, workmen, etc are restrained from releasing the Register of Voters in Ebonyi State to the Ebonyi State Government and Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission for purposes of using same for the proposed Local Government Elections in the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, pending the release and publication of the extant Law, etc meant to regulate the conduct of the said exercise to the plaintiffs and members of the public.”

Army Urges Ohafia Residents To Remain Calm, As Range Classification Shooting Commences

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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NDA Alerts Kaduna Residents On Commencement Of Shooting Exercise

The Headquarters 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ebem Ohafia, Abia State has urged the residents of the community not to panic as it concludes plans to hold range classification shooting for troops. العاب على الهاتف

The weeklong exercise which commences Monday 29 August to Friday 2 September 2022 will involve the firing of live ammunition at the range site, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations 14 Brigade, Lieutenant Omale Innocent Prince said in a release made available to ABN TV.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Kill 28-Year-Old NYSC Member

“In view of the above, you are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public and enjoin them not to panic, especially the communities around the Barracks. العب اون لاين مجانا In this regard, the populace and farmers are to steer clear of the general area during the exercise,” it added.

Gunmen Kill 28-Year-Old NYSC Member

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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Gunmen Kill 28-Year-Old NYSC Member
Late Samaila Awudu

A 28-year-old National Youth Service member, NYSC, Samaila Awudu, was reportedly killed by gunmen that invaded their Yolde Pate corpers’ lodge in Yola South Local Government Area, Adamawa State, weekend.

It was gathered that after he was inflicted with life-threatening wounds by the assailants, he was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yola where he gave up the ghost.

A corps member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the killers were more than five in number. He noted that when the assailants came, they locked up all the doors of the other corps members before going to Samaila’s room.

“They used an axe to cut him and thought he was already dead. Since all the other corps members were locked up in their rooms, there was no way for anyone to come to Samaila’s aide. Maybe they were hired killers we don’t know. Right now, we are all living in fears,” the corps member said.

Confirming the incident, Adamawa State NYSC Director, Mr Jingi Dennis, said the investigation is ongoing to unravel the killers.

He described the death of Awudu as “a huge loss not only to Taraba State but the whole nation. It’s very sad.”

Gunmen Kill 28-Year-Old NYSC Member

He noted that NYSC authorities, the state government, and the police are doing everything possible to unravel the mystery and bring the heinous act’s perpetrators to book.

He called on the parents of the corps member to take everything as the will of God, adding that death can come at any time.

Also, the Adamawa state Police Public Relations Officer, Sulieman Ngoruje, said the command is aware of the incident and that investigation has already begun.

Abia @31: We’ve Achieved Peace, Security In Last Seven Years — Ikpeazu

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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0
Abia State Government Warns Against Intimidation Of Town Planners
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has said his administration in the last seven years has been able to achieve peace, security, and stability in the state.

This he said is attributable to the sustained prayers of the church and urged Christians in the state not to relent.

The Governor who spoke on Sunday during a special Thanksgiving service to mark the 31st Anniversary of the creation of Abia State held at St. Stephen’s Anglican Cathedral, Umuahia noted that there is good reason to thank God for his bountiful blessings to Abia State for which he remains eternally grateful to God.

“He appreciated God for the prevailing peace and security in the State and described peace and security as his greatest achievements in the last seven years of his administration. He said the government could not have succeeded in this area without the sustained prayers of the church and urged it not to relent,” chief press secretary to the governor, Onyebuchi Ememanka said in a statement on Sunday.

Governor Ikpeazu according to a statement called on all Abians to identify with the effort to rebuild the state, adding that rebuilding of the State must involve all Abians. According to him, just as the biblical Nehemiah, he will not be distracted from the assignment of rebuilding Abia State.

The statement read further, “He used the opportunity to inform Abians that by December, he would be commissioning the Garment Factory in Aba which, when added to ENASCO would make it two industries his administration will be delivering to the state. He equally informed that he would be remembered as the Governor that provided Abia with a 30-Year Long Term Development Plan, Osisioma Interchange, and Master Plan for Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia among other projects when he leaves office.

“In his sermon earlier, the Anglican Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi said if Abia must be good, everyone must watch and pray as well as be committed to bringing transformation and positive change. The Bishop, who spoke on the topic “Watchman Over The Land” and took his text from Ezekiel 33 verse 7 described everyone as a watchman in his office or community and challenged all to be responsive.

READ ALSO: ABN TV Boss, Okali Bags “FRIEND OF THE YOUTH” Award (Photos)

“While pointing out that Abia has remained the most peaceful State in spite of all challenges, Bishop Ibeabuchi thanked God for his faithfulness to Abia State in the last 31 years and prayed God to bless Abia State and her leaders.

“The event which featured prayers for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State Government, and the nation at large, attracted the presence of the wife of the Governor, Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu Members of the State House of Assembly, Deputy Governorship candidate of PDP, Barr. Okey Igwe, Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem, the Head of Service, Sir Onyii Wamah, Honorable Commissioners, PDP State Chairman, Rt Hon. Asiforo Okere, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe, LGA Chairmen, Chairman of Abia State Advisory Council, Sir Chikezie Wachuku, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, PDP chieftains, Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Sir Hrm Eze Joseph Nwabeke, State Commissioner of Police Janet Agbede and other Service Commanders, members of the clergy amongst other dignitaries.”

Why Kwankwaso/Obi Alliance Collapsed – NNPP Chairman, Prof Alkali

By
Munachi
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0
Why Kwankwaso/Obi Alliance Collapsed – NNPP Chairman, Prof Alkali
Kwankwaso and Peter Obi

The National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Prof Rufai Alkali, has explained why the alliance talks between his party’s presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, collapsed.

Alkali said the Kwankwaso/Obi alliance talks collapsed because the LP camp insisted the NNPP concede the presidency to them without giving them an option during the alliance negotiations.

The NNPP Chairman stated this while speaking with newsmen at the party’s secretariat yesterday in Abuja.

He explained that having experienced unprecedented insecurity, NNPP realized that Nigeria needed a new deal and was desirous of keeping in contact with any party that shared the same values with it.

He further stated that when the LP option came up the NNPP was optimistic but that LP came to the table with only one demand.

Alkali said, “A technical committee was set up to work out the alliance, but for the eight hours that they met, the LP camp said just one thing; that Kwankwaso should concede the presidency to Obi, that it was the time of the South East to become the president.”

He added said the LP camp agreed that Kwankwaso was a good candidate with a track record of sterling performance in public office, but that it was the turn of the South East to produce the next President of Nigeria.

According to Alkali, the Obi camp leaked the deliberations on social media while the alliance negotiations were ongoing which led to the collapse of the alliance talks.

He also said that when there was a stalemate, the LP camp announced to the media that there was a breakdown in the talks.

 

Court Rejects FG’s Suit Seeking Abba Kyari’s Extradition To US

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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0
Court Rejects FG’s Suit Seeking Abba Kyari’s Extradition To US
Abba Kyari

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, dismissed an application the Federal Government filed for permission to extradite the detained Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, to the United States of America, USA, to face trial over his alleged involvement with a notorious internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that the extradition application FG filed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, was “incompetent and bereft of merit”.

Justice Ekwo held that the AGF, Malami, SAN, being the Chief Law Officer of the country, ought to be aware that the Extradition Act, forbade the surrendering of a defendant that is already facing trial before a competent court in the country.

The court wondered why the AGF approached the court with the extradition application when he was equally the one that issued FIAT to the National Drug Law Enforcement, NDLEA, to prosecute DCP Kyari on drug-related charges.

“The AGF could not say that he was not aware of the pending proceeding against the defendant which was entered against him by the NDLEA”, Justice Ekwo added.

He said the law was clear that Kyari, having been docked before a court of competent jurisdiction in the country, “shall not be surrendered until such case has been discharged either by his conviction or acquittal”.

Consequently, the court held that the extradition request was incompetent and deserved to be dismissed.

It will be recalled that the court had on June 3, reserved the matter for judgement, after it heard from FG’s lawyer, Mr. Pius Akutah, and that of the embattled DCP, Mr. Nureni Jimoh, SAN.

READ ALSO: Court To Set To Rule On FG’s Extradition Suit Against Abba Kyari

While FG maintained that it had met all condition precedents for the suspended DCP to be sent to the US to answer to a criminal charge that is pending against him, on the other hand, Kyari, challenged the legal competence of the extradition request against him.

Kyari, who is currently in prison custody for drug related charges, told the court that contrary to the allegation against him, he had some months before Hushpuppi was arrested, sent a letter to both the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police, IGP, notifying them that he had opened a channel of communication with the suspected internet fraudster, in furtherance of an ongoing investigation.

Kyari is wanted in the U.S. to stand trial for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft.

A grand jury had in April 29, 2021, filed an indictment against him with the approval of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, after which a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Hushpuppi had earlier pleaded guilty to the alleged $1.1million fraud charge against him, even as the US Attorney’s Office for Central District of California, Los Angeles, revealed that he will be sentenced on September 21.

Gov Matawalle Sacks Special Adviser For Gross Misconduct

By
Munachi
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0
Eid El Fitri: Gov. Matawalle Felicitates With Muslim Faithful
Gov. Bello Matawalle

Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has approved the termination of the appointment of Hon. Kabiru Sahabi Liman as his Special Adviser.

This was stated in a press release written by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Kabiru Balalabe, and distributed to journalists in Gusau, the state’s capital.

He said that the Governor found it very necessary to terminate the appointment.

According to the statement, this resulted from a close monitoring exercise that showed him to be utterly unfit to carry out the duties and public profile that come with the lofty position of Special Adviser.

He said the monitoring exercise would be continuous, aimed at reinvigorating public service delivery, ensuring public trust, and facilitating good governance in the State.

However, the statement did not state the offence committed by the embattled Special Adviser.

 

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