Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago embarks upon a reckless media onslaught, clamping down on private owned radio station in the state
Public condemnation trails Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago recent offensive against the Nigerian media, which resulted in the shutting down of a radio station in the state, identified as Badeggi FM. A wave of public condemnation followed the order by Bago, to shut down the private owned FM station, with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) leading the charge in what it describes as “a blatant attack on press freedom and democracy.”
Governor Bago ordered the closure during an expanded APC Caucus meeting at the Government House, Minna, alleging that the station incited violence and promoted public unrest.
He directed security operatives to seal off the premises and further asked that the broadcasting licence be revoked and the owner, Alhaji Shuaibu Badeggi, be profiled.
Unconfirmed report said that the Niger State Government has also gone a step further by marking the building housing the radio station for demolition.
The NGE has strongly condemned the move, insisting that the governor acted beyond its constitutional powers. In a statement jointly signed by the NGE President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the Guild noted that, “The arbitrary closure of media houses reminds us of the dark days of military rule. Governor Bago acted outside his powers. The power to sanction or revoke licences of broadcast stations lies solely with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), following due investigation, not by executive fiat.”
Citing the Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the NGE reminded public officials that freedom of expression and press freedom are constitutionally guaranteed.
The NGE further stated, “This action is censorship, plain and simple. The premises should be unsealed immediately while proper investigations proceed. A free and independent press is essential for a functioning democracy. Badeggi Radio should be reopened immediately while a thorough, lawful investigation is conducted.”
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation echoed similar sentiments. In a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, insisted that any allegations of unethical broadcasting should be addressed through the NBC, the statutory regulator.
The minister said, “The suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the NBC as stipulated by law, NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve this issue fairly and impartially.”
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna Branch, also weighed in, cautioning the state government against bypassing the law. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Isyaku Barau, the NBA warned that the governor’s action could violate constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and the right to fair hearing.
According to the NBA branch, “Executive orders cannot override constitutional provisions. If the state believes there’s wrongdoing, it must petition the NBC or seek redress through the courts. Anything else is a breach of the rule of law.”
Meanwhile, a High Court sitting in Minna, Niger State, has issued an interim order restraining Governor Bago or any of his proxies from shutting down Badeggi FM, a private radio station operating in the state capital. The restraining order followed a suit filed on behalf of the applicants by Philip K. Emmanuel, brought pursuant to Sections 6(6) (a), 36(1)(2), 41, 43, and 46, as well as the Seventh Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The suit also relied on Sections 2(2), 9, and 13 of the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Order 2, Rule 3 and 4(a)(b)(c) of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.
Justice Mohammed S. A. Mohammed, serving as the vacation judge, granted the interim injunction on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, restraining the Executive Governor of Niger State, the Attorney General of the state, and the Niger State Urban Development Board. The application was filed by Badeggi Broadcasting Services Ltd and Mohammed Shuaibu Badeggi. The court also barred the respondents whether directly or through agents, servants, privies, or representatives from taking any further action on the matter and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo.
Specifically, the judge directed the respondents to halt any intended revocation, withdrawal, seizure, cancellation or termination of the station’s broadcast licence.
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has condemned the “unlawful suspension” of Badegi 90.1 FM.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, IPI Nigeria described the action as “yet another crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom by the current administration in Niger State under Governor Bago.”
