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Court refuses to dismiss order stopping NBC from imposing fines on broadcast stations

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1 year ago

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The federal high court in Abuja has dismissed the motion filed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) seeking to set aside the verdict restraining the agency from imposing fines on broadcast stations.

James Omotosho, the presiding judge, on Thursday, dismissed the grounds presented by NBC.

On March 1, 2019, NBC sanctioned 45 broadcast stations over alleged ethical infractions during the general election.

Is’haq Kawu, then director-general of the commission, said the affected media houses were fined N500,000 each for flouting the provisions of the Nigerian broadcasting code.

Among the sanctioned stations were Channels Television, TVC, AIT, and NTA.

Displeased with the fines, the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), sued NBC.

The organisation said the action of the commission violated the right to a fair hearing under section 36 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and article 7 of the African charter on human and peoples rights (ratification and enforcement) Act.

MRA had asked the court to declare the fines unconstitutional and null.

On May 10, a federal high court in Abuja ruled that NBC does not have the power to impose penalties on broadcast stations.

In July, NBC asked the court to dismiss the order, arguing that the high court reached its decision in “ignorance of relevant facts”.

Babatunde Ogala, NBC counsel, had told the court that MRA has “two unappealed, subsisting and binding decisions of the federal high court on the same issues and parties”.

Ogala added that the media group brought a fresh suit before the court, instead of appealing previous rulings.

NBC accused MRA of trying to set the court on a collision course with other courts, adding that the commission was not served with the processes leading to the verdict.

However, the media rights group disagreed with the arguments of the commission.

THURSDAY PROCEEDINGS

In his judgment, Omotosho ruled that available evidence showed that the commission was served but failed to appear before the court.

The judge said NBC failed to present facts that the suit filed by the media group was an abuse of the court process.

“A party challenging the jurisdiction of the court must do that timeously,” the judge was quoted as saying by NAN.

“These are facts the respondent (NBC) ought to have brought before the court but did not avail itself of this opportunity.

“It is a futile attempt to get the court to set aside this judgment. The respondent should bear the consequences of its own indolence.

“In the final analysis, it is an afterthought and belated. The application to set aside the judgment is hereby refused.”

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Paulo tackles Deji Adeyanju for linking Burna Boy to Speed Darlington’s arrest

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3 hours ago

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November 28, 2024 10:15 am

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Paulo Okoye, the showbiz promoter, has criticised Deji Adeyanju, the lawyer, for linking Burna Boy to Speed Darlington’s recent arrest.

Deji had announced on social media that his client was arrested by police officers in Owerri, Imo state capital, on November 26.

He also alleged that Burna Boy was responsible for the “harassment” of his client.

In his reaction, Paulo slammed Deji for involving Burna Boy in the incident, accusing the lawyer of being “unprofessional and spreading misinformation”.

The showbiz promoter further demanded that Deji handle his clients more responsibly.

“Lawyer Deji or what ever they call you!!!! Can you put respect on Burna Boy’s Name Why are you even mentioning Burna Boy’s name?? Smh You’re nothing more than a social media lawyer! Lawyer my A** Get your facts right before you open your gutter mouth Control your client,” he wrote.

Deji has not responded to Paulo’s remarks.

Darlington was first arrested in October after posting a video making unsubstantiated claims about Burna Boy.

In the video, Darlington alleged that Burna Boy’s success in the international music scene, including his Grammy win for the album ‘Twice As Tall’ (executively produced by Diddy, the US rapper), was due to an alleged sexual relationship between the two.

Darlington was released on bail on October 9 after spending five days in detention.

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‘Morayo can’t grow on me’ — Kess joins critics of Wizkid’s album

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1 day ago

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November 27, 2024 9:16 am

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Kess Adjekpovu, former Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) housemate, has criticised ‘Morayo’, Wizkid’s fifth studio album.

Last Friday, the Grammy-winning Nigerian singer delivered the album after months of teasing.

‘Morayo’ is a tribute to Jane Dolapo Balogun, Wizkid’s late mother, who passed away in August 2023.

In the project, Wizkid featured Asake, Brent Faiyaz, Jazmine Sullivan, Anaïs, and Tiakola.

Kess shared his thoughts on the new album in a series of X posts on Tuesday.

The reality star said he fell asleep while attempting to listen to the album.

“Decided to listen to ‘Morayo’. Sleep catch me. Up and grateful. ‘Morayo’ still never sweet me. I guess it can’t grow on me,” he said.

https://x.com/Kess_Adjekpovu/status/1860973568026152993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1860973568026152993%7Ctwgr%5Ee5063e1239484b5feb8c87cc76c8e92addd61c4c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flifestyle.thecable.ng%2Fbbnaijas-kess-criticises-wizkids-album-morayo%2F

https://x.com/Kess_Adjekpovu/status/1861266328096559330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1861266328096559330%7Ctwgr%5Ee5063e1239484b5feb8c87cc76c8e92addd61c4c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flifestyle.thecable.ng%2Fbbnaijas-kess-criticises-wizkids-album-morayo%2F

‘Morayo’ has garnered both praise and criticism from listeners since its release.

While some music lovers have appreciated the project, commending its unique sound and artistic direction, critics have pointed out various aspects of the album that didn’t quite meet their expectations.

Kess was a housemate on season seven of the BBNaija reality show in 2022.

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Helen Ukpabio demands N200bn damages in defamation suit against Bloody Civilian

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3 days ago

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November 25, 2024 8:44 am

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Helen Ukpabio, the founder of Liberty Gospel Church, has demanded N200 billion in damages from the singer Bloody Civilian after the latter alleged that she encourages child lynching.

Earlier on Friday, Bloody Civilian, born Emoseh Khamofu, had alleged that Ukpabio “literally made people burn their children alive”.

Khamofu commented on a post celebrating the cleric’s 60th birthday.

She also posted a YouTube documentary wherein Ukpabio’s methods and ideology were criticised.

Reacting to her tweet, Imabong, Ukpabio’s daughter, threatened to take legal action against Khamofu if she didn’t delete the post.

“I give you the next five hours to take this down, or I will educate you in court!” Imabong wrote.

But in a letter from her legal representative, Ukpabio described the allegations as “reckless, satanic, and libellous”.

She demanded that the singer issue a retraction and public apology on all social media platforms and ten national and international dailies within 72 hours.

The cleric also requested that the singer pay N200 billion as “damages for distress, trauma, pain and anguish”.

The letter added that the demands must be met in 72 hours.

She claimed the allegations had been investigated by the police and have been concluded to be “grossly false”.

“Our client’s attention has been drawn to your reckless, satanic, and libellous posts on X (formerly Twitter), one of the world’s largest social media platforms,” the letter reads in part.

Responding to the letter, Blood Civilian made light of it by teasing that she is offering other services like comedy to afford the damages.

“This December I will be adding the following to my services: weddings, standup comedy and settling disputes,” she wrote.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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