A popular Nigerian lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has berated the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over the N5m fine given to a Lagos-based radio station, Nigeria Info.
In a statement on Friday, the human rights lawyer described the fine as illegal, noting the commission should have waited for the Department of Security Service (SSS) to finish its investigation into the claim made by the former Presidential candidate, Dr Obadiah Mailafiya.
Falana noted that it is only a competent court of law that has the power to try, convict, and impose a fine on a criminal suspect after a trial has been conducted.
“Only a competent court of law is empowered to try, convict and impose a fine on a criminal suspect after a trial has been conducted before a competent court.
“In view of the fact that the imposition of the N5 million fine was anchored on a purported amendment of the Code and since the NBC lacks the legal competence to impose a fine on any broadcasting station without a finding of guilt by a properly constituted criminal court the NBC should suo mutu quash the illegal fine,” Falana said.
I wonder the type of leaders we have in this Country, Nigeria. They were doing that to cover up investigation.All the northern leaders must be held responsible for the issue of insecurities in this Country. They know about it if not, why the haste to fine the radio station.