The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have taken the Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to court over what they term as the ongoing intimidation of Badeggi FM Radio, Minna, and threats to shut down the station.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1587/2025, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, alongside lawyers Oluwakemi Agunbiade and Andrew Nwankwo.
Naija News recalls that Governor Bago ordered the closure of Badeggi Radio 90.1 FM, revoked its licence, and directed security agencies to seal the station and profile its owner over alleged incitement of violence.
The groups accused the NBC of failing to protect the station, despite its statutory role as the regulator of broadcasting in Nigeria.
In the suit, SERAP and NGE are asking the court to determine whether, by virtue of Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 2(1)(t) of the NBC Act, the Commission has a legal duty to defend Badeggi FM against alleged harassment from the governor.
They are seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the governor and the NBC from “harassing, intimidating, and/or threatening to shut down Badeggi FM radio, revoke its licence, and profile the station’s owner.”
“The ongoing intimidation and threat by Mr Bago to strip Badeggi FM station of its licence, further threat to demolish the station’s premises and threat to profile its owner is unlawful and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom,” the plaintiffs argued.
They described the allegations of incitement as “vague, unfounded, and unsubstantiated,” claiming they were aimed at silencing the station.
‘Press Must Be Free to Hold Government Accountable’
The suit reads, “The media plays an essential role as a vehicle for the exercise of freedom of expression and access to information in a democratic society.
“Intimidating, harassing, and silencing critical or dissenting voices under the guise of vague and unsubstantiated national security concerns is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
“The ongoing intimidation and harassment of Badeggi FM and its owner is capable of discouraging participation of the press in debates over matters of legitimate public concern ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
Among the declarations and orders sought are:
- That NBC is legally bound to protect Badeggi FM and other broadcasters from undue interference.
- That the Commission’s failure to defend the station against arbitrary executive action amounts to a breach of its statutory duties.
- That Governor Bago’s threats encroach on NBC’s regulatory powers under the National Broadcasting Commission Act.
- An injunction restraining the governor and NBC from further harassment or threats to revoke Badeggi FM’s licence.
However, no date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit, Naija News reports.
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