By Kingston Magare 26.4.2026
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) are suing the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over its directives to journalists and broadcasters to be measured in their coverage of events leading to the 2027 general elections.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/854/2026 and filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 24, 2026, is challenging the NBC’s recent directive cautioning broadcasters against “expressing personal opinions as facts,” “bullying or intimidating guests,” and failing to maintain neutrality.
In the originating processes before the court, the plaintiffs warned that unless the court intervenes, the NBC would continue to use the provisions to intimidate journalists.
“Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the NBC will continue to use the provisions of the 6th Edition of the Broadcasting Code to threaten and sanction broadcast stations and presenters solely for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities and exercising their rights,” said the statement signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and the General Secretary of the NGE, Onuoha Ukeh.
“Journalists are entitled to express their opinions as a matter of professional standard, including commentary and analytical expression, which lie at the very core of journalistic practice and democratic discourse.”
“The Nigerian Constitution is the supreme law, and any law that is inconsistent with it is null and void,” they argued.
SERAP and the editors warned that the NBC’s approach could stifle press freedom and weaken democratic engagement, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The blanket prohibition imposed by Section 1.10.3… amounts to prior restraint that impermissibly excludes commentary, analysis, and value judgments, the core of journalism and democratic discourse,” the groups said.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), is representing SERAP and the Nigerian Guild of Editors in the legal