SERAP, 261 Nigerians And Groups Have Sued NBC And Lai Muhammed.

Following the fines that were levied by the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) from Arise TV, AIT and Channels TV for covering the EndSARS protest, SERAP and other 261 Nigerians and groups have sued NBC and Lai Muhammed asking the court to declare the 9 million Naira fine unconstitutional.

The body said NBC cannot sanction the television stations mentioned because they were doing their legal duties.

The co-plaintiffs are 255 concerned Nigerians; Premium Times Services Limited; Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development; HEDA Resource Centre; International Centre for Investigative Reporting; African Centre for Media and Information Literacy; and Media Rights Agenda.
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) November 1, 2020

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.
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) November 1, 2020

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.
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) November 1, 2020

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.
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) November 1, 2020