The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have sued Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over threats to shut down Badeggi FM, a private radio station in Minna, Niger State.
Governor Bago had reportedly ordered security operatives to seal the station, threatened to revoke its license, demolish its premises, and profile its owner, Shuaibu Badeggi, on allegations of promoting violence.
In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos (FHC/L/CS/1587/2025), SERAP and NGE are asking the court to declare the governor’s actions unlawful and to compel the NBC to protect the station from intimidation.
The groups argue that the Nigerian Constitution and the NBC Act give the Commission a duty to safeguard media independence and prevent undue interference. They say the alleged threats violate freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom — rights guaranteed under the law.
“The ongoing intimidation of Badeggi FM is a dangerous attack on press freedom and could discourage journalists from covering issues of public interest ahead of the 2027 elections,” SERAP and NGE stated.
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They are also seeking a perpetual injunction to stop the NBC, the governor, or any other authority from harassing the station or revoking its license without due process.
Meanwhile, no hearing date has been set for the case
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