NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, Suppression of Press Freedom, Affronts Democracy

–         As SERAP gives Niger gov 48 hours to reverse unlawful shut down of Badeggi FM

Michael Olugbode and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the state governor, Mohammed Bago, describing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident.

In another related development, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Governor Umar Bago, to “immediately reverse the arbitrary and unlawful decision to strip Badeggi FM radio station its licence, reinstate the station’s licence, withdraw your threat to demolish the station’s premises, and end your crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Niger State.”

SERAP urged him “to immediately end your attacks against Shuaibu Badeggi, the owner of Badeggi FM 90.1, and other staff members of the radio station, publicly guarantee their rights to liberty and security of person, and end the prevailing impunity for violations of freedom of expression and media freedom in your state.”

Meanwhile, the NHRC Executive Secretary said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Ojukwu noted the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, create obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.

He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”

He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the radio station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the radio station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.

He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”

Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa (NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media.

“Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” he emphasized.

He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.

He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.

He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.

He also called on the Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.

He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.

On its part, SERAP also urged Governor Bago and his government “to refrain from weaponizing the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and law enforcement agents to further crackdown on Badeggi FM and to uphold your constitutional oath of office to protect Nigerians’ freedom of expression and media freedom in Niger state.”

Mr. Bago had last Friday directed the State Commissioner of Police and Commissioner for Homeland Security to seal an independent media outlet, Badeggi FM Radio, Minna, revoked its license, profiled its owner and threatened to demolish the station’s premises, having been unhappy with its broadcasts.

In the open letter dated 2 August 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Your vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations of ‘inciting violence’ against Badeggi FM and its owner are apparently made to silence the radio station and its owner.”

SERAP said: “Silencing critical or dissenting voices under the guise of vague and unsubstantiated national security concerns is a fundamental breach of your constitutional oath of office and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”

According to SERAP, “Silencing Badeggi FM and its owner would have a chilling effect on the protection of freedom of expression and media freedom across several states.”

The letter, read in part: “Shutting down the station, arbitrarily revoking its licence, threatening to unlawfully demolish its premises and profiling the station’s owner are all clearly antithetical to the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“The crackdown on Badeggi FM and its owner is capable of discouraging participation of the press in debates over matters of legitimate public concern ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

“By your arbitrary and unlawful restrictions on Badeggi FM, you have seriously undermined the public’s right to be meaningfully informed – and consequently the station’s capacity to engage in the public discourse that sustains a democratic society – is also at stake.”

“Your brutal attacks on Badeggi FM, its owner and other staff members of the station constitute a serious restriction on the development of democracy in the country, since it impedes free debate over ideas and opinions.”

“Media outlets in Niger State must be free to enable debate on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals.”

“The shutting of the station, revocation of its licence, profiling of its owner and the threat to demolish its premises threaten the ability of the station and its staff to carry out their professional and constitutional duties and the broader landscape of independent media in Nigeria.