Lai Mohammed, minister of information, has denied announcing
the increment of hate speech fine from N500,000 to N5 million.
The minister’s position was contained in a counter-affidavit
in response to a suit filed against him at a federal high court in Lagos,
according to PUNCH.
In August, the minister unveiled the amendment to the
country’s broadcasting code in Lagos where the increment of the new fine was
announced.
Inibehe Effiong, human rights lawyer, is currently challenging the fine by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Nigeria Info FM.
The radio station was fined for alleged hate speech. Obadiah
Mailafia, former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had
alleged that a northern governor is one of the leaders of Boko Haram.
However, in the affidavit deposed by Sunday Ojobo, an
official of the Information ministry, the minister said he never announced the
increase of the hate speech fine.
“Paragraph 19 is denied. The 2nd defendant (Mohammed) did
not announce an increment in any fine for hate speech from N500,000 to
N5,000,000 or any other because there is a governmental body or institution
mandated to regulate and enforce the Nigerian Broadcasting Code,” Ojobo said in
the affidavit.
“The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria
provides for derogation from fundamental rights in the interest of public
safety, public order and for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom
of other persons.
“The first respondent (NBC) has powers in determining and
applying sanctions including revocation of licences of defaulting stations
which do not operate in accordance with the broadcast code and in the public
interest.
“A public affairs commentator, anchor of programmes and the
media are not to use their platform to incite public violence or disorder or in
a manner detrimental to the national interest.
“It is within the purview of the federal government of
Nigeria to maintain public safety, public order in the interest of all citizens
of Nigeria to avoid breakdown of law and order.”
On its part, the broadcasting commission said it has the
right to sanction any media outfit that does not conform to the broadcasting
code.
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