Nbc To Appeal Ruling Nullifying Powers To Impose Fines

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced that it will appeal the Federal High Court of Abuja's decision to abolish its ability to sanction indiscreet broadcast stations.

NBC's Director General, Balarabe Shehu Illelah, issued a statement in response to Justice James Omotosho's decision on Wednesday.

In his decision on a lawsuit brought by Incorporated Media Rights Agenda, Omotosho stated that NBC was not a court and lacked the authority to penalise broadcast stations.

According to him, section 6 of the constitution, which gave the court of law the authority to exercise judicial authority, conflicts with the NBC code, which grants the commission the authority to impose a sanction.

He further stated that the NBC lacked the authority to launch a criminal investigation that would result in a criminal trial and the imposition of sanctions because it was not the Nigerian police.

However, the NBC claimed in a statement released on Friday in Abuja that it had requested a Certified Copy of the ruling.

According to the statement, "the commission will appeal the judgment when it is found to be in conflict with prior judgments which authorize NBC to regulate broadcasting in Nigeria."