NBC Slaps Channels TV with N5m fine for Baba-Ahmed interview

Channels Television received a fine of N5 million from the National Broadcasting Commission for breaking the law by airing a program featuring Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

This information can be found in a March 27 letter that was sent to the television station’s CEO.

The letter with the subject line: The document titled “Broadcast of an Inciting Interview, A Sanction” was signed by Balarabe Ilelah, the Director-General of the commission.

According to a portion of it, “The NBC monitored the broadcast of a live interview of the running mate of the Labour Party Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Wednesday, March 22 by the anchor of Politics Today, Seun Okibaloye.”

According to Dr. Baba-Ahmed, “because of election irregularities, it will be unconstitutional to swear in an elected president on May 29, 2023.”

He noticed that the transmission was unpredictable and fit for inducing public turmoil, disregarding a few segments of the telecom code.

He stated, “Consequently, Channels Television is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of N5,000,000 (five million naira) only in the first instance” for the subsequent offenses.

He went on to say that the television station would face more severe penalties if it continued to break the law.

The NBC Director-General stated, “You are advised to pay within two weeks of receiving this letter or the penalty will be graduated.”