Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has hailed Wednesday’s judgement of the Federal High Court declaring the imposition of fin...
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has hailed Wednesday’s judgement of the Federal High Court declaring the imposition of fines by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, on broadcast stations illegal, null and void.
In a press statement signed by his media office on Thursday, Atiku said the ruling of the court will go a long way to enhance the constitutionally guaranteed rights of Nigerians to free speech.
According to him, the ruling of the Federal High Court on the dictatorial practices by the NBC, will ensure that the media in Nigeria is not gagged and that the citizens can enjoy their rights to freedom of expression.
Atiku said, “I have read reports about the judgment by a Federal High Court presided over by the Honourable Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia concerning the propriety of the NBC issuing fines to broadcast stations upon their editorial contents.
“I am happy to announce my support for the judgement of the court. I am even happier that the said judgement will further boost the ethos of democratic norms in our body politics.
“While I commend the court for this bold decision, it is adequate that we all recognize the courage of the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) for having tested our laws on this draconian practice by the regulatory body,” Atiku said.
Recall that the National Broadcasting Commission had imposed a fine of N5 million on some media outlets on account of a documentary that pictures the parlous state of insecurity in Nigeria in the year 2022.
No comments