Court Bars NBC from Sanctioning Broadcasters Over Content Rules

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has issued an interim injunction restraining the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from enforcing parts of its broadcasting code used to sanction media organisations and presenters.

Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the order on Monday following an ex parte application filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

The applicants challenged the NBC’s recently issued “Formal Notice,” which they argued could be used to threaten or punish broadcast stations over editorial content and presenters’ conduct.

Arguing on behalf of SERAP and NGE, senior advocate Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika urged the court to halt enforcement of the disputed provisions pending the determination of the substantive suit.

In his ruling delivered on May 4, 2026, Justice Osiagor said: “It is hereby ordered as follows: That an order of interim injunction is granted restraining the defendant (NBC), its officers, agents, privies, assigns, associates or any other person or group of persons from enforcing, imposing sanctions, or levying fines on any broadcasting station based on the provisions of Sections 1.10.3, 3.3.1(b), 3.4.1(b), 5.3.3(b), 3.1.1, 3.11.1(a), 5.4.1(f), 3.11.1(b), and 5.5.1(b) of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for an order of interlocutory injunction filed simultaneously in this suit.”

The judge held that the interim order would remain in place pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice seeking a broader interlocutory injunction.

The case has been adjourned to June 1, 2026, for further hearing.