Hate speech: Federal High Court strikes out SERAP suit against Lai Mohammed, NBC
- Some months back the fine for hate speech was increased from N500,000 to N5 million
- Not long after, a N5 million fine was imposed on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM radio station
- SERAP filed a suit seeking to stop the N5 million fine but it has now been struck out by the court
- The NBC had earlier warned that broadcast stations will face actions over messages that insult political leaders
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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja struck out a suit against the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and the National Broadcasting Commission(NBC).
According to The Nation, the case was filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to stop the N5 million fine imposed on some broadcast stations for infractions.
The suit was, therefore, struck out as the court said SERAP has no locus standi in the case as it is not a part of the matter.
The judge while delivering judgement on the matter described the case as a mere academic exercise.
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Legit.ng recalls that President Buhari was urged to instruct Mohammed and the NBC to withdraw the fine against hate speech. The call was made by SERAP.
The group also called on the minister of information and the NBC to immediately rescind the fine of N5m imposed on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM radio station.
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Earlier, Legit.ng reported the NBC warned that broadcast stations will face punitive actions over messages that insult the Nigerian president, governors, and other leaders.
The warning was issued in a letter to broadcast stations by Chibuike Ogwumike, zonal director of the NBC Lagos office.
The letter which was dated August 3, warned against insulting messages from guests during programmes.
In a related development, the federal government raised the fine for hate speech from N500,000 to N5 million.
The minister of information and culture made this known when he unveiled the reviewed Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
However, three months later Mohammed denied announcing an increase in the fine for hate speech despite the video clip that shows him making the statement.
The minister in response to a motion filed by Inibehe Effiong, human rights lawyer before a Federal High Court in Lagos, to challenge the imposition of the fine stated on oath that he never made such an announcement.
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