By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
LEGAL ACTION has been initiated by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over alleged intimidation of Minna-based Badeggi FM and threats to revoke its licence, demolish its premises, and profile its owner, Shuiabu Badeggi.
In suit number FHC/L/CS/1587/2025 filed on Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the organisations are asking the court to determine whether, under section 22 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and section 2(1)(t) of the NBC Act, the commission has a legal duty to protect Badeggi FM from interference.
They seek a declaration that NBC must safeguard the station and other broadcasters from undue intimidation, and an order restraining the governor and NBC from shutting down the station or revoking its licence.
SERAP and NGE argue that the NBC’s failure to defend the station’s independence against executive interference breaches its statutory duty to uphold fair and lawful broadcasting.
They describe the threats by the governor — including licence withdrawal, demolition orders, and profiling of the station’s owner — as violations of constitutional rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.
The suit notes that accusations of inciting violence against the station are “vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated,” stressing that the media plays a critical role in democratic societies by enabling the exchange of information and ideas on public matters.
The applicants warn that targeting Badeggi FM could have a chilling effect on media freedom across states, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They contend that restrictions on press freedom must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate, and that national security claims must not be misused to silence dissent.
The reliefs sought include multiple declarations affirming NBC’s obligation to protect broadcasters, a finding that the governor’s actions are unlawful, and a perpetual injunction against any interference with Badeggi FM’s operations.
No date has yet been set for the hearing of the case, which is filed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, alongside lawyers Oluwakemi Agunbiade and Andrew Nwankwo, and signed by NGE General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh.
