Illegal broadcasting: Court hears NBMOA v Arewa 24TV, others’ case  

 The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, will Wednesday hear a case bordering on alleged illegal broadcasting involving the Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA) Board of Trustees (BOT) against Network Arewa24 Limited, operators of the Arewa24 TV channel.

In the matter, which is before Justice James Omotosho, the NBMOA alleged that Arewa24 is operating illegally in Nigeria without the necessary licenses.

While initiating the legal action in November 2024, the NBMOA expressed concerns that unlicensed broadcasting activities by Arewa24 and the other defendants is threatening the established legal and competitive media landscape in Nigeria, adding that it is also adversely affecting media owners and audiences nationwide. 

The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC); MultiChoice Nigeria, StarTimes Nigeria are defendants in the lawsuit.

 The chairman of NBMOA Board of Trustees, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, had earlier stated the association’s commitment to maintaining lawful broadcasting standards.

He said: “Our objective is to ensure a fair, regulated media environment, in line with established broadcasting standards, while maintaining a commitment to the rule of law.”

The outcome of the hearing is expected to have significant implications for Nigeria’s broadcasting and media regulation framework.