Broadcasting
SERAP, Others Sue Mohammed, NBC, for Fines on Channels, AIT, Arise TV
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), 261 involved Nigerians, civil society and media teams have filed a lawsuit in opposition to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture.
The litigants are asking the courtroom to declare as arbitrary, unlawful and unconstitutional the N3m tremendous imposed on every of Channels, AIT and Arise TV for his or her protection of the #EndSARS protests.
They are additionally asking the courtroom to cease NBC from amassing the cash.
Armstrong Idachaba, acting director-general of the NBC, is joined within the go well with as defendant.
The co-plaintiffs within the go well with are 255 involved Nigerians; Premium Times Services Limited; Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development; HEDA Resource Centre; International Centre for Investigative Reporting; African Centre for Media and Information Literacy; and Media Rights Agenda.
Idachaba, had final week introduced fines of N9m on Channels, AIT, and Arise TV for purported “unprofessional coverage” of the #EndSARS protests throughout the nation.
But within the go well with quantity FHC/ABJ/CS/1436/2020 filed final Friday on the Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiffs are searching for an order setting apart the arbitrary, unlawful and unconstitutional fines of N9m and every other penal sanction unilaterally imposed by the NBC and Mr Lai Mohammed on Channels, AIT and Arise TV, and on every other radio/tv stations merely for finishing up their skilled and constitutional duties.
They argued that Section (2)(n) of the NBC Act and the Broadcasting Code are oppressive, and clearly inconsistent with the Nigerian structure and the nation’s worldwide obligations.
The go well with reads, “If the NBC and Lai Mohammed are allowed to proceed to make use of these oppressive provisions in opposition to unbiased media within the guise of performing their statutory duties, the top end result will probably be authoritarianism and denial of freedom and liberty.
“The NBC and Mr Lai Mohammed have constantly used broadcasting codes to suppress the watchdog roles of unbiased media, and to violate Nigerians’ human rights, together with the rights to freedom of expression, to disseminate and obtain info, and maintain their authorities and public officers to account.
“The action by the NBC and Mr Lai Mohammed is arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional, as it is contrary to section 39 of the Nigerian constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Nigeria has ratified. Their action is apparently aimed to clampdown on media freedom and Nigerians’ human rights.”
The plaintiffs are additionally searching for an order setting apart the tremendous of N5m and every other penal sanction unilaterally imposed by the NBC and Mr Lai Mohammed on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM Lagos, merely for finishing up its skilled and constitutional duties.
The radio station was fined after an interview the place a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Obadiah Mailafia, stated he acquired info {that a} Northern governor sponsored Boko Haram.
The go well with filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by their attorneys Kolawole Oluwadare, Adelanke Aremo and Opeyemi Owolabi, reads partly, “A tremendous is a prison sanction and solely the courtroom is empowered by the structure to impose it. Fine imposed by regulatory companies just like the NBC with out recourse to the courts is prohibited, unconstitutional and offends the sacred ideas of pure justice and equity.
“It is the obligation of the federal government to permit the authorized and judicial powers of the state to perform correctly. Imposing any tremendous in any respect with out due strategy of regulation is unfair, because it contravenes the ideas of ‘nemo judex in causa sua’ which accurately means ‘one cannot be a judge in his own cause’ and ‘audi alteram partem’ which accurately means ‘no one should be condemned unheard’.
“The NBC, being a regulatory body, is not empowered by law to act as the prosecutor and the judge; all at the same time. We humbly urge the court to set aside the unlawful and unconstitutional fines imposed on independent media houses, and to uphold the sanctity of the Nigerian constitution, Nigerians’ human rights, media freedom, and the rule of law.”
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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