Femi Falana, Who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has described the N5m fine on Lagos-based radio station, Nigeria Info 99.3 FM by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as illegal.
The respected Lawyer said this in a statement he personally signed and was surprised why the NBC will be in a hurry to penalise the radio station
While noting that the State Security Service (SSS) has not concluded an investigation into the radio station’s guest, Dr Mailafia Obadiah.
Falana asked why the Commission was in a hurry to violate the broadcast firm’s fundamental right.
He said, it is only a competent court of law that has the right to impose fines on a criminal suspect after conducting a trial.
Part of the statement signed by Femi Falana said, “In view of the fact that the imposition of the N5 million fine was anchored on a purported amendment of the Code and since the NBC lacks the legal competence to impose a fine on any broadcasting station without a finding of guilt by a properly constituted criminal court the NBC should suo mutu quash the illegal fine”.
The NBC had said the fine was imposed on the media outfit due to its unprofessional broadcast.
NBC stated that the station provided its platform for its guest and a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Mailafia Obadiah, to promote “unverifiable and inciting views,” saying such could lead to public disorder.
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