THE MINISTER FOR INFORMATION,
FCT ABUJA.
ATTN: THE DG,
NBC
FCT-ABUJA.
PRESS RELEASE ON SUSPENSION /SANCTION FINE BY NBC ON CHANNELS TELEVISION OF ON 26TH APRIL 2021.
It came to our knowledge on 26th April 2021 , and to the knowledge of group, with name as One Love Foundation (a non governmental organisation concerned with promotion of justice and human rights )wherein we got receipt of a very disturbing news that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended Channels TV, with a Five Million Naira (N5, 000, 000) fine, for the 7pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, 25th April 2021, where Channels Television station spoke with Emma Powerful, being the spokesman for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The suspension of Channels TV by Professor Armstrong Idachaba led NBC, as it stands is not just draconian, illegal and to say the least, but also is an impediment to free speech/and freedom of the press coupled with breach of citizens right to receive and impart information.
More importantly, this is coming at a time there are serious issues that the NBC should concerned itself with.
Consequently, the above sanctions and suspension by NBC on Channels Television is a clear breach of the right to Freedom of Information as stipulated by the Nigerian constitution. and since the code invoked by the NBC is in conflict with the provisions of the Constitution, we demand that it be reversed immediately.
We as One Love Foundation are by this Communique /Press Release requesting the National Broadcasting Commission to immediately reverse the suspension of Channels TV and the draconian sanction fines, failure of which, One Love Foundation legal team, headed by seasoned lawyers, with name as Douglas Ogbankwa and Ihensekhien Samuel Jnr and other eminent lawyers, will have no option other than to approach the Federal High Court Abuja to set aside this dacronian and unconstitutional directive/sanction fines by NBC on Channels Television , we hope NBC heeds to wise counsel.
Yours faithfully,
Patriot Patrick Eholor,
ONE LOVE FOUNDATION,
(GLOBAL PRESIDENT)