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NBC Urges Media to Curb Hate Speech in Political Programs

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Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has charged media stations to avoid promoting hate speech and derogatory statements through political programs.

The head of the Kano zonal Office of the NBC Adamu Salisu, made the statement while he received representatives of the Freedom of Expression team under the Gidan Yanci fellowship program at his office on Tuesday.

He explained that the political program that allowed political critics (Sojojin Baka) to challenge opponents was purposely created to desist them from physical attack and political thuggery.

He said that they were expressing their anger through the political programs instead of attacking one another.

He added that over the years the right to express political views in the programs was metamorphosed to personal attack and some media stations give room for hate speech.

“We have rules and what guides us is Nigerian Broadcasting Codes and all radio stations have it. Our work is custodian the code is six editions and the seven editions will be launched this year with additional principles that are not captured in the last editions,” he said.

He corroborated that unprofessional journalists, political critics, and political officeholders are those who promote the problem.

Malam Adamu Salisu applauded the Gidan Yanci Fellowship program for its effort to sanitize the political programs in Kano.

He added that he was satisfied with the works of Gidan Yanci which he said would assist them in sensitizing the political critics about the danger of hate speech and its consequences to society.

“They should comprehend that some of their unverified statements or opinions will lead them to prison.

I am happy that people now understand they can challenge any defamation before the court I do hope it will not stop for people only but as well as the media in which the statement was said,” he said.

The NBC assured to collaborate with Gidan ‘Yanci to continue the sensitization and sensitization of the political presenters as well as political critics.

He added that apart from political interference the court judgment that stopped them from fining media stations is the major challenge that halted them from taking actions on media that violate the NBC codes.

Moreover, The head of the Kano zonal Office of NBC Adamu Salisu, said their agency has no right to sue or charge any politician who made a derogatory comment their power is limited on the media stations and they have been sending warnings to those who violated their rules.

On his part, Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim who talked on behalf of the Freedom Of Expression Team said Gidan ‘Yanci will give the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) every necessary support to achieve its goals.

He expressed his happiness as NBC agreed to partner with them to bring meaningful and positive changes to political programs.

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Federal Government Declares Public Holidays

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The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 18 and Monday April 21 as public holidays for Good Friday and Easter Monday, respectively.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.

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Tunji-Ojo extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on this joyous occasion.

erior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.

Tunji-Ojo extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on this joyous occasion.

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Court Jails Man Four Years for Refusal to Accept Naira As Legal Tender

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Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Uzondu Precious Chimaobi to four years imprisonment for his refusal to accept the Naira as a legal tender.

 

Chimaobi was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, on February 5, 2025 on a two-count charge bordering on refusal to accept the Naira as a legal tender.

 

One of the counts reads: “That you, Precious Chimaobi Uzondu, on the 10th of December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, refused to accept Naira (Nigeria legal tender) by accepting the sum of $5700 ( Five Thousand Seven Hundred USD) as a means of payment for a purchase of a cartier diamond bracelet with serial number (12345678) and you, thereby , committed an offence contrary to Section 20 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

 

He initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, leading to his full trial.

 

Subsequently, the prosecution presented its first witness, PW1, Owolabi Oyarekhua Jude, an operative of the EFCC.

 

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, Jude told the court that “the Commission received intelligence on the activities of a jewelry company called Unlimited Jewellers Limited, “whose owner is one Uzondu Precious Chimaobi.

 

“The Company, which deals in jewelry at Atlantic Mall, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos intentionally tags and sells its products in Dollars as against the CBN Act, 2007 ,which stipulates Naira as the only legal tender in Nigeria.”

 

Continuing, he added that “ Subsequently, a covert operation was carried out , where an undercover operative of the Commission disguised as a customer to purchase a Diamond Nail bracelet that was tagged $6000 and bought it for $5700.

 

“The company refused to receive Naira and demanded Dollars as a means of payment. The payment was made and receipt was issued in Dollars . The owner of the company was arrested and taken to the Commission’s office.”

 

However, at the resumed sitting on April 14, 2025, the defendant opted to change his “not guilty” plea to “guilty.

 

Consequent upon his guilty plea, Kofarnaisa, prayed the court to rely on the evidence earlier given by the investigating officer, and admit the same in convicting the defendant.

 

Kofarnaisa, thereafter, tendered the defendant’s statement and other evidence to further prove his guilt and they were admitted by the court.

 

Justice Owoeye then adjourned till Tuesday, April 15, 2025 for ruling.

 

Delivering judgment, they found the defendant guilty and gave him an option of fine of N50,000( Fifty Thousand Naira) on count one.

 

The Judge sentenced him to four years imprisonment, with an option of fine in the sum of N600,000 on count two.

 

His Cartier Diamond wristwatch was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

The convict bagged his imprisonment when he refused to accept Naira by accepting the sum of $5700 ( Five Thousand Seven Hundred USD) as a means of payment for a purchase of a cartier diamond bracelet. He was charged to court and convicted.

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Senator Sumaila Begins Consultations on Possible Return to APC

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Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila has begin consultation with his constituents to decide his fate on whether to return to the All Progressives Congress or not.

Reacting to a recent call by the APC leaders from Kano South Senatorial District, Senator Sumaila said he had embarked on rigorous consultations with constituents and other stakeholders.

“It is true the APC leaders from my district have called on me to return to APC. The leaders took the advantage of the internal crisis in my party; New Nigeria Peoples Party which factionalized the party.

“And I am sure they are targeting me because they knew my political strength and commitment in politics. So, when the call persist, i have started consulting my constituents and all relevant stakeholders.

“I am into politics because of my people and whatever situation I found myself, I will let them decide my fate. So, even this issue, I will not decide it by myself, I will rather allow them to decide.

“Whatever decision my constituents take, I will abide by it because in politics consultation and openness are critical. So, one thing I can aşure you is that I will not decode my fate alone and whatever my constituents decode, I will go by it.” He concluded.

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