EndSARS: SERAP, 261 others sue NBC, Lai Mohammed over failure to revoke fines imposed on TV stations

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) alongside 261 Nigerians & groups have dragged the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to court over failure to revoke the N9 million fine imposed on Channels TV, AIT and Arise TV for not adhering to the broadcasting code in their coverage of the EndSARS protest.

This is coming as the 48 hours ultimatum issued last week Monday by SERAP for NBC to revoke the fines imposed on the TV stations elapses.

The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1436/2020 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, is seeking: an order setting aside the arbitrary & unconstitutional fines of N9 million by NBC & Mr Mohammed on Channels, AIT & Arise TV & on any other stations for carrying out their duties.

The group said, “the action by the NBC & Mr Mohammed is arbitrary, illegal & unconstitutional, as it is contrary to section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights & Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

It added, “If the NBC & Mr Lai Mohammed are allowed to continue to use these oppressive provisions against independent media in the guise of performing their statutory duties, the end result will be authoritarianism and denial of freedom and liberty.”

Visit https://twitter.com/SERAPNigeria/status/1322805096003100673?s=19 for details on the Lawsuit.

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