NBC has no power to fine broadcast stations – Court
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has been barred from imposing fines on broadcast stations by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Daily Report Nigeria reports that the court in its ruling said the NBC lacks the power to impose fines on broadcast stations as punishment.
The court, in a judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Wednesday, clarified that the NBC is not law court and cannot operate like one.
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The court in its ruling also set aside about N500,000 fines imposed on 45 broadcast stations in March 2019.
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The court further issued an injunction to prevent the from commission imposing fines on broadcast stations in the future.
According to Justice Omotosho, the NBC Code is in conflict with Section 6 of the Constitution which gives judicial power to only the court of law.
“This will go against the doctrine of separation of powers,” Justice Omotosho said.
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The judge also stated that the commission did not comply with the law when it acted as both a complainant and judge in its own matter.
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