Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim injunction restraining the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from enforcing aspects of its recent directive against broadcast stations and presenters.

The court order prevents the NBC from using its “Formal Notice” to threaten, sanction, or penalize broadcasters over allegations such as presenting personal opinions as facts, intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality on air. The injunction was granted following an ex parte application filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

SERAP and NGE had approached the court to challenge what they described as an arbitrary and unlawful attempt by the NBC to regulate editorial content through sanctions tied to broadly defined standards. The groups argued that the provisions cited by the commission could infringe on constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and media independence.

The suit also asks the court to determine whether the relevant sections of the sixth edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code are inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as well as Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law.

The dispute stems from an April statement by the NBC, in which the regulator expressed concern over what it described as increasing violations of the broadcasting code across news, current affairs, and political programming. The commission warned that presenters who blur the line between opinion and fact or engage in conduct deemed unprofessional, including the intimidation of guests, risk sanctions.

In his ruling, Justice Osiagor directed that the NBC, its officers, agents, and affiliates refrain from imposing fines or other penalties on broadcasters based on the contested provisions, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive case.

The matter has been adjourned to June 1, 2026, for further proceedings.