Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

SERAP challenges NBC's ban on Eedris Abdulkareem's "Tell Your Papa" in court

POSTED ON April 20, 2025 •   LOCAL NEWS      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Eedris Abdulkareem

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) regarding what it has labeled an “arbitrary and unlawful” prohibition of Eedris Abdulkareem’s song "Tell Your Papa." 

This information was shared in a statement penned by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and released to reporters on Sunday.

The song, which allegedly critiques President Bola Tinubu’s economic strategies, was barred from airing on the grounds of supposedly breaching “public decency standards.”

In the lawsuit referenced as FHC/L/CS/797/2025 and submitted to the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP is requesting a legal order to annul the NBC’s directive, claiming it contradicts the rights to free expression, access to information, and media freedom.

Additionally, SERAP seeks "a perpetual injunction preventing the NBC , whether jointly or separately — or any other authority, individual, or group from obstructing the broadcast of Eedris Abdulkareem’s song across all media stations and platforms in Nigeria."

Furthermore, SERAP wants "a declaration affirming that the NBC’s prohibition, issued through a letter dated April 9, 2025, to all broadcasting stations in Nigeria banning Eedris Abdulkareem’s song, is illegal, inconsistent, and incompatible with the rights to free expression, access to information, and media freedom."

Related News: SERAP to sue FG, NBC over ban of Eedris Abdulkareem’s "Tell Your Papa"

The suit, filed by Oluwadare alongside two other attorneys, contends that the ban does not meet the necessary legal standards of necessity and proportionality, violating both Nigerian and international regulations concerning free expression.

SERAP noted that "Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code is excessively broad and intrusively overreaching, as it infringes upon the essential rights to free expression, access to information, and media freedom."

The organization asserted that artistic expression is crucial in democratic discussions and that censorship suppresses social dialogue and erodes democratic principles.

"The restriction on Eedris’ song does not fulfill the criteria of legality, necessity, and proportionality."

They further elaborated, "The necessity requirement also involves evaluating the proportionality of the justifications, to ensure that the justification of ‘objectionable nature’ and ‘public decency’ is not misused as a cover for banning Eedris’ song and intruding unduly upon the human rights of Nigerians," SERAP emphasized.

The statement continued, "Article 19(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights affirms the right to hold opinions without interference. Article 19(2) outlines Nigeria’s duties to honor 'the right to freedom of expression,' which includes the freedom to seek, receive, and disseminate information, irrespective of boundaries."

"According to Article 19(3), limitations on the right to freedom of expression must be 'prescribed by law' and necessary 'for the respect of the rights or reputations of others' or for 'the safeguarding of national security, public order (ordre public), or public health and morals.'"

READ ALSO
Nigeria Forest Security Service Trains Over 24,000 New Officers to Enhance Forest Security
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) has announced the training of over 24,000 new officers ac...

READ ALSO
LASG Urges Calm Amid Heavy Rainfall and Flood Warnings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The Lagos State Government has called for calm as heavy rains persist in the area, warning that more...

READ ALSO
68 Bodies Recovered, 74 Missing After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Yemen
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

At least 68 bodies of passengers from a migrant boat have been recovered, while 74 others are missin...

READ ALSO
LASG Identifies 176 Illegal Estates, Issues 21-Day Ultimatum
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The Lagos State Government has identified 176 estates across the state as illegal for failing to obt...

READ ALSO
Military Dismantles Drug Cartels, Arrests Suspects
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 3, 2025 0

Military officials at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State have declared the dismantling of...

READ ALSO
SERAP Demands Immediate Reopening of Badeggi FM Amid Claims of Gov. Censorship
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 3, 2025 0

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Governor Umar Bago of Niger S...

READ ALSO
SERAP Raises Alarm Over Public Officials' Lack of Accountability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 2, 2025 0

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) expressed its concerns on Saturday rega...

READ ALSO
165 Lives Lost and 119,791 Affected by flood Across 19 States - NEMA
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 2, 2025 0

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that at least 165 people have died, 82 are...

OUR CHANNELS:

Victory Unseats Thelma to Claim HoH Title in BBNaija Season 10
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 5, 2025 0

Victory has been crowned the new Head of House on Big Brother Naija Season 10 after triumphing in th...


2025 WASSCE Results Announced: 38.32% Achieve Five Credits, Performance Declines
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The West African Examinations Council has officially released the results for the 2025 West African...


Hamas Offers Red Cross Access to Hostages, Demands Aid for Gaza in Return
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The militant group Hamas announced on Sunday that it is willing to permit the Red Cross to deliver f...


PDP Announces Schedule for National Convention: Revealed Key Dates
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 5, 2025 0

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its...


Tinubu's Spokesperson Accuses Peter Obi of Dishonesty Over Political Promises
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 5, 2025 0

The spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has accused Peter Obi, a former governor o...


Weather Alert: NiMet Cautions against Flash Floods in Northern and Southern Regions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 5, 2025 0

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has projected rain and thunderstorms nationwide from Mond...


LG Chairman Champions Seyi Tinubu for Lagos Governorship
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

In the quest for a successor to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the chairman of Oshodi-Isol...


Military Dismantles Drug Cartels, Arrests Suspects
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

Military officials at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State have declared the dismantling of...


Historic Leap for Education: Federal Polytechnic Ilaro Elevated to University Status
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The Olu of Ilaro and the paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, has praised President B...


SERAP Demands Immediate Reopening of Badeggi FM Amid Claims of Gov. Censorship
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Governor Umar Bago of Niger S...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu