Abaribe Berates NBC Over Sanction On AIT, Channels, Arise TV

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has condemned the recent sanctions placed by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on three Nigerian broadcast media outfits over their reportage of the erratic shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.
The senator described the fines slammed on the three television stations: AIT, Channels and Arise, as unconstitutional, arbitrary, adding that the action amounted to gross abuse of power.
Abaribe said the NBC’s fine of N3million each to AIT, Channels and Arise TV was a breach on the right of Nigerians to free speech.
In a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, the senator urged the NBC to rescind its decision, especially as it negates the provisions of Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
According to him, the Constitution stipulates that, “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference”.
“The sanction is illegal, provocative and clear case of willful abuse of power and a deliberate assault on the freedom of the press and of free speech. This time, as precarious as we know, calls for deep introspection and empathy for victims and their families.
“It is not a time for this kind of illegal actions by the agencies of government, as no law passed by the National Assembly or contained in the Constitution gives the NBC powers to impose such sanctions”, he added.
The minority leader also advised the Media outfits to approach the court of competent jurisdiction for the enforcement of their fundamental rights.

Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja