A rights group, One Love Foundation has called for reversal of suspension of Channel TV by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over an alleged breach the broadcast code.
The station was accused of allowing a leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, ( IPOB), Emma Powerful to make secessionist and inciting declarations on air without caution or reprimand by the station contrary to the broadcast code.
The foundation also threatened to approach a court of competent jurisdiction to set aside the draconian directive and sanction.
In letter addressed to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and signed by Global President of the Foundation, Patriot Patrick Eholor on Monday described the action as impedement to free speech and freedom of the press.
The group therefore urged NBC to rescind its decision and lift the suspension on the station and N5million fine for the 7pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, 25th April 2021.
Tbe statement read ” It came to our knowledge on 26th April 2021 , and to the knowledge of group,with name as one love foundation (a non governmental ( NGO) concerned with promotion of justice and human rights )wherein we got receipt of a very disturbing news that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended Channels TV, with a Five Million Naira (N5, 000, 000) fine, for the 7pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, 25th April 2021, where channel Television station spoke with Emma Powerful,being the spokesman for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
” The suspension of Channels TV by Professor Armstrong Idachaba led NBC, as it stands is not just draconian,illegal and to say the least,but also is an impedement to free speech/and freedom of the press coupled with breaching of citizens right to receive and impart information,more importantly this is coming at a time, there are serious issues that the NBC should concerned itself with.
” Consequently the above sanctions and suspension by NBC on channels television is a clear breach of the right to freedom of Information as stipulated by the Nigeria constitution. and since the code invoked by the NBC is in conflict with the provisions of the constitution. We demand that it be reversed immediately
” We as one love foundation are by this communique/press release requesting the National Broadcasting Commission to immediately reverse the suspension of Channels TV and the draconian sanction fines,failure of which, one love foundation legal team,headed by seasoned lawyers, with name as Douglas ogbunakwa and ihensekhien Samuel jnr and other eminent lawyers, will have no option other than to approach the federal high court,abuja to set aside this dacronian and unconstitutional directive/sanction fines by NBC on channels television, we hope NBC heeds to wise counsel ”
