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November 21, 2023 ECOWAS Court Slams NBC Code for Being Anti-Freedom of Expression
IFMUYONEWS

ECOWAS Court Slams NBC Code for Being Anti-Freedom of Expression

The Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sitting in Abuja has declared that the Nigerian Broadcasting Code used by the National Broadcasting Commission to impose sanctions and fines on broadcast stations in Nigeria violates freedom of expression.

The ECOWAS court made the declaration  in a judgment delivered in a suit filed by a non-governmental organisation, Expression Now Human Rights Initiative, against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The court held that the Nigerian government had failed in its responsibility to align its domestic legislation with its international obligations.

The applicant had challenged the use of the NBC Code by the Nigerian government to arbitrarily impose sanctions including fines against broadcast stations.

The court presided by Justice Dupe Atoki observed that in enacting laws “member states must give due consideration to its alignment with international guarantees and obligations like those under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.”

The applicant, represented by Solomon Okedara & Co, specifically challenged Articles 3 (1) (1), 3(1) 2), 15(2) (1) of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition) and Article 15 (5) (1) of the Amendments to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition) that they contravene the principle of freedom of expression.

In its judgment, the court noted that Article 3(1) (1) of the Code is infinite in scope and therefore violates the provision of Article 9(1) and (2) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. The court noted that the provisions of Article 3(1) (2) of the Code are too ambiguous and vague and can “lead to curtailment of the right to freedom of expression.”

The court also ordered that the Nigerian government aligns Articles 3 (1) (1), 3(1) (2), 15(2) (1) of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition) and Article 15 (5) (1) of the Amendments to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition) in line with its obligations under Article 1 of the ACHPR and to cease giving effect to the provisions until it has aligned the same as ordered.

In May 2023, the Nigerian Guild of Editors commended the Federal High Court Abuja, for making an order of perpetual injunctions restraining the National Broadcasting Commission from imposing fines on broadcast stations in the country.

The court, in a judgment in May by Justice James Omotosho, held that not being a court of law, NBC had no power to impose sanctions as punishment on broadcast stations.

November 21, 2023 N1Trn Accrues to Federal Government Monthly Since Subsidy Removal
IFMUYONEWS

N1Trn Accrues to Federal Government Monthly Since Subsidy Removal

The Federal Government has said the Federation Account is witnessing improved revenue inflow since the removal of subsidy, from an average of N650 billion monthly to over N1 trillion in the last four months.
The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, made this known yesterday, in Asaba at the opening ceremony of a four-day retreat organised for members of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Finance, Special Duties, Okokon Udo, said the government had, for long, realised that petroleum subsidy was not sustainable.

According to him, the subsidy regime eroded revenues that should have been available to fund viable expenditures that were critical to the well-being of the populace.

The minister said the present administration was mindful of the needs and welfare of Nigerians and assured that it would continue to implement peoples oriented policies.

“We all know that achieving the tax revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target of 22 per cent and tax to GDP of 18 per cent by 2026 are parts of the cardinal objectives of this administration. “What is necessary to be done is to broaden the tax base, simplify and streamline tax administration for ease of collection,” he said.

On the theme of the Retreat, “Creating a Resilient Economic through Diversification of the Nation’s Revenue”, the minister commended the choice, stressing that it was suitable.

November 21, 2023 I’m Focused on Super Eagles not Zamalek – Jose Peseiro
IFMUYONEWS

I’m Focused on Super Eagles not Zamalek – Jose Peseiro

Super Eagles Head coach, Jose Peseiro, has denied having any links with Egyptian giants, Zamalek concerning their vacant coaching role.

Egyptian website, Kooora, had fingered Peseiroas one of the coaches who submitted their resumes for the top job after the recent sacking of Juan Carlos Osorio for poor results.

The 63-year-old recently signed a new one-year deal with the Nigeria Football Federation after his initial contract expired in June.

The Portuguese tactician, who was recently linked with Zamalek’s job in Egypt, told btolat.com that he remained focused on his current job with Nigeria.

“At the present, all my focus is on the Nigerian national team only,” he said.

“There are no negotiations from Zamalek in any case and I am not thinking about anything else.”

Despite Peseiro’s commitment to the Eagles’ job,  football stakeholders have called for the immediate sacking of the Portuguese tactician following the team’s abysmal performances in the last 2 games. The Eagles were held at home by lowly ranked Lesotho 1-1, and only managed another draw against Zimbabwe in the first 2 games of the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

November 20, 2023 Appeal Court Sacks Mutfwang in Plateau
IFMUYONEWS

Appeal Court Sacks Mutfwang in Plateau

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, yesterday, sacked the governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang.

The court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, held that Mutfwang was not validly nominated and sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to participate in the March 18 gubernatorial election.

The appellate court held that all votes credited to him and the PDP after the election amounted to a waste.

The Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu-led panel ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return it issued Mutfwang as winner of the governorship poll.

It also ordered that the candidate that had the second majority lawful votes should be sworn in as governor.

The case followed an appeal against Muftwang’s election by the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

INEC had declared that Mutfwang won the gubernatorial contest with 525,299 votes, ahead of Goshwe, who polled 481,370 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, Goshwe had approached the Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. He contended, among others, that the PDP lacked a political structure in the state and was, therefore, incapable of validly nominating or sponsoring any candidate for the poll.

He also argued that the election of Mutfwang was not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act, insisting that the PDP candidate did not win the majority of lawful votes cast during the election.

Mutfwang had, earlier, appealed to people of the state to remain calm in the face of the oncoming ruling.

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