By Oluwaseun Sonde
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened lawsuit against Federal Government of Nigeria over revoking Broadcast licenses of 52 Radio and Television station across the country.
The Organisation on its social media platform on Friday, called for the reversal of the decision or the Federal Government should meet them in court.
According to the statement, "Buhari administration must immediately reverse the punitive, disproportionate decision to revoke licences of AIT, Silverbird, Raypower, Rhythm FM for allegedly failing to renew their licences.
"We'll see in court if this decision is not immediately reversed", SERAP said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government through the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Friday said it has revoked the broadcast licences of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM amongst others.
NBC Director-General, Mallam Balarabe Shehu, who made the disclosure in a statement on Friday, said the development followed the failure of the media houses to renew their broadcast licences.
While he directed its state offices to liaise with security agencies to ensure shutdown of the operation of the stations within the next 24 hours.
According to the statement, the broadcast regulator had published lists of stations yet to renew their licences three months ago.
The commission said, despite the publication, “Some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.
“Therefore, after due consideration, NBC hereby announces revocation of the licenses of the…stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations.
“Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.”
Comments