The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced that it will appeal the Federal High Court of Abuja’s decision to nullify its powers to impose fines on erring broadcast stations.
NBC’s Director General, Balarabe Shehu Illelah, issued a statement in response to Justice James Omotosho’s decision on Wednesday.
In his decision on a lawsuit brought by Incorporated Media Rights Agenda, Omotosho stated that NBC was not a court and lacked the authority to penalise broadcast stations.
He held that the NBC code, which gives the commission the power to impose a sanction, was in conflict with section 6 of the constitution which vested judicial powers in the court of law.
He added that the NBC, not being Nigeria police, had no power to conduct a criminal investigation that would lead to criminal trial and imposition of sanctions.
But the NBC, in the statement on Friday in Abuja, said it had applied for a Certified Copy of the judgment.
“The commission will appeal the judgment when found to be in conflict with previous judgments which empowers NBC to regulate broadcasting in Nigeria,” the statement said.