SERAP, NGE Sue Niger gov, NBC over radio station closure

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have filed a lawsuit against Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over alleged intimidation of Minna-based Badeggi FM and threats to shut down the station using law enforcement.

Governor Bago recently ordered security operatives to seal the station, threatened to revoke its licence, demolish its premises, and profile its owner, Shuiabu Badeggi.

In the suit, filed on Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos and numbered FHC/L/CS/1587/2025, SERAP and NGE are asking the court to determine whether, under Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 2(1)(t) of the NBC Act, the commission has a legal duty to protect Badeggi FM from such intimidation.

The organisations are seeking a court declaration that, by law, the NBC must safeguard Badeggi FM and other broadcasting outlets in Nigeria from undue interference.

They argue that the NBC’s failure to defend the station against arbitrary executive action constitutes a breach of its statutory mandate to ensure fair, independent, and lawful broadcasting practices.

SERAP and NGE also contend that the intimidation and threats issued by Governor Bago—including plans to strip the station of its licence, demolish its building, and profile its owner—are unlawful and violate rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.

They say the allegations that the station promotes violence are vague, unfounded, and unsubstantiated.

According to the suit, the media serves as a critical platform for exercising freedom of expression in a democratic society, and silencing dissenting voices under the guise of national security breaches constitutional obligations and international human rights standards.

The groups warn that such actions could have a chilling effect on press freedom across Nigeria, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They maintain that media outlets in Niger State should be able to debate public issues without fear of reprisals, and that both Governor Bago and the NBC have a responsibility to uphold the constitutional environment necessary for journalists and broadcasters to perform their watchdog role.

They stress that any restrictions on press freedom must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate, and not used arbitrarily under the pretext of national security.

Governor Bago had accused Badeggi FM of unethical practices and inciting the public against the government.

He reportedly instructed that the station’s premises be marked for demolition and that its owner be profiled by the Commissioner of Homeland Security.

Aligned with human rights principles, SERAP and NGE argue that the press must be protected not just for journalists’ sake, but to guarantee the public’s right to information on matters of public interest.

No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit.