Mailafia: NBC Fines Broadcast Outfit ₦5m For Hate Speech

The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has  placed a huge sanctioned on an indigenous radio station  Nigeria Info, 99.3FM  for the sum of five million naira.

Naija News Understands was regulatory organisation sanction the radio station for allowing its platform to be used for promoting Hate Speech.

It will be recalled that the NBC action is subject to the request of state security service to fine Nigeria Info, 99.3FM for allowing its platform to be used by, Dr. Mailafia Obadiah to promote unverifiable and inciting views that can cause crime, public disorder.

Mailafia had during the radio interview on Monday, claimed that a governor from the north was a commander of Boko Haram and that insurgents would soon start urban killings and attacking southern parts of the country.

Reacting to the comment, the NBC in a statement on Thursday said the station had been fined for the unprofessional broadcast.

The statement read, “The National Broadcasting Commission has noted with grave concern, the unprofessional conduct of Nigeria Info 99.3FM, Lagos, in the handling of the Programme, “Morning Cross Fire”, aired on August 10, 2020, between 8.30am and 9.00am.

“The station provided its platform for the guest, Dr. Mailafia Obadiah, to promote unverifiable and inciting views that could encourage or incite to crime and lead to public disorder.

“Dr. Mailafia Obadia’s comments on the “Southern Kaduna Crisis”, were devoid of facts and by broadcasting same to the public, Nigeria Info 99.3FM, is in violation of the following sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code:

“In line with the amendment of the 6th edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Nigeria Info 99.3FM Lagos, has been fined the sum of ₦5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira), only.

“This is expected to serve as a deterrent to all other broadcast stations in Nigeria who are quick to provide a platform for subversive rhetoric and the expositions of spurious and unverifiable claims, to desist from such.

Naija news recalled that state security service Invited Dr Obadiah on the 12th of August to clarify his claim that a Northern governor was a commander of Boko Haram. However, The Northern Governors Forum NGF has also called on the security agencies in the country to investigate the allegation.