Ban Archives | Trendbrio.com

PRESIDENT TINUBU'S EASTER MESSAGE TO THE NATION

SERAP Sues Tinubu’s Govt Over Ban on Eedris’ Song ‘Tell Your Papa’

Our Reporters4 weeks ago4 weeks ago010 mins

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over “the failure to reverse the arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s song ‘Tell Your Papa’. The song, which allegedly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, was prohibited from radio and TV broadcast over its “objectionable nature”. The NBC cited the song’s violation of “public decency standards” on radio and TV stations. In the suit number FHC/L/CS/797/2025 filed last Thursday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is seeking: “an order setting aside the arbitrary and illegal ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s song ‘Tell Your Papa’, for being inconsistent and incompatible with the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.” SERAP is seeking: “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the NBC whether jointly or severally or any other authority, person or group of persons from preventing the airing of Eedris Abdulkareem’s song on all broadcast stations and other similar media platforms in Nigeria.” SERAP is also seeking “a declaration that the NBC’s directive, issued via a letter dated 9 April 2025 to all broadcast stations in Nigeria, banning the airing of Eedris Abdulkareem’s song is unlawful and inconsistent and incompatible with the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.” In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “The NBC is censoring music under the guise of ‘protecting public decency’. Public decency is not a carte blanche for banning Eedris’ song and placing a chokehold on information and suppressing peaceful dissent.” SERAP is arguing that, “Freedom of expression constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society and extends not only to information or ideas that are favourably received, but also to those that offend, shock or disturb in such domains as political discourse and commentary on public affairs.” SERAP is also arguing that, “The ban on Eedris’ song has a chilling effect on freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom. The NBC has not shown that the song would impose a specific risk of harm to a legitimate State interest that outweighs the public interest in the information provided by the song.” According to SERAP, “Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code is overbroad and excessively intrusive, as it breaches the fundamental rights to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.” The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Ms Oluwakemi Agunbiade and Ms Valentina Adegoke, read in part: “All persons enjoy the rights to freedom of expression and creativity and to enjoy the arts. “The ban on Eedris’ song fails to meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality. “The requirement of necessity also implies an assessment of the proportionality of the grounds, with the aim of ensuring that the excuse of ‘objectionable nature’ and ‘public decency’ are not used as a pretext to ban Eedris’ song and unduly intrude upon Nigerians’ human rights. “Expressions, whether artistic or not, always remain protected under the right to freedom of expression. The NBC directive is also inconsistent and incompatible with the right to freedom of artistic expression and creativity. “Art constitutes an important vehicle for each person, individually and in community with others, as well as groups of people, to develop and express their humanity. Artists may entertain people, but they also contribute to social debates, sometimes bringing counter-discourses and potential counterweights to existing power centres. “The vitality of artistic creativity is necessary for the functioning of democratic societies. Banning or removing creative expressions from public access is a way to restrict artistic freedom. “It is inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations to use vague and overly broad grounds of ‘objectionable nature’ and ‘public decency’ as justifications to ban Eedris’ song. “The action by the NBC is arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional, as it is contrary to the provisions of section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party. “Media freedom and media plurality are a central part of the effective exercise of freedom of expression. The media has a vital role to play as ‘public watchdog’ in imparting information of serious public concern and should not be inhibited or intimidated from playing that role. “While the media may be subject to some restrictions necessary for the protection of certain vital interests of the state, such as national security or public health, the media has a role and responsibility to convey information and ideas on political issues, even divisive ones and the public has a right to receive them. “Article 19(2) of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, states that the right to freedom of expression includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds ‘in the form of art’. “The effects of art censorship or unjustified restrictions of the right to freedom of artistic expression and creativity are devastating. They generate important social and economic losses, deprive artists of their means of expression and livelihood, create an unsafe environment for all those engaged in the arts and their audiences. “Restrictions of the right to freedom of artistic expression also sterilize debates on human, social and political issues and hamper the functioning of democracy. “Article 19 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights establishes the right to freedom of opinion without interference. Article 19(2) establishes Nigeria’s obligations to respect ‘the right to freedom of expression,’ which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information, regardless of frontiers. “Under article 19(3), restrictions on the right to freedom of expression must be ‘provided by law’, and necessary ‘for respect of the rights or reputations of others’ or ‘for the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health and morals.’” No date has been fixed for the…

Eedris’ Song: Tinubu Gets 48 hours Ultimatum to Reverse Ban

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has handed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) 48 hours ultimatum to reverse the ban on the single track of Nigerian musician Eedris Abdulkareeem. The National Broadcasting Commission had on April 9 issued a memo declaring that the track ‘Tell Your Papa’ not to be aired on all television and radio stations in the country. The Commission cited Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code for its action, saying the track content is deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency from being aired on Nigerian broadcast platforms. In a post on Twitter now X, SERAP, however, has threatened to institute a court process should the Commission refuse to reverse the ban after 48 hours. “The Tinubu administration must immediately reverse the unlawful ban by the National Broadcasting Commission stopping Nigerian radio and TV stations from airing Eedris Abdulkareem’s new single. “We’ll see in court if the ban is not reversed within 48 hours,” SERAP stated.

Super Eagles’ goalie, Okoye risks four-year ban

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

The Udine Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into Nigeria and Udinese’s Maduka Okoye, as the goalkeeper is suspected of illegal betting practices and could risk a ban from all competitions for at least four years. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, betting agency Sisal reported unusual gambling patterns detected by its algorithms, as people placed an abnormal amount of bets on the likelihood of Okoye being booked during Udinese’s away clash at Lazio in March of 2024, with the goalkeeper receiving a yellow card for time-wasting after 64 minutes. Such a warning sparked suspicions in the public prosecutor, who is also looking at the role of Diego Giordano, a 40-year-old owner of the Biffi pizzeria in Udine. The pink newspaper explained that the restaurant owner is also under investigation, as it’s alleged that a verbal agreement regarding the bet was made at the pizzeria and later executed at a Sisal betting outlet in the city, just a few days before the meeting between Lazio and Udinese. If found guilty, Okoye could face a ban from all competitions for at least four years, in addition to potential legal consequences. However, the player’s legal representatives have denied all allegations, claiming that the accusations are unfounded and lack any substantial evidence. The goalkeeper is now out of action after undergoing wrist surgery, with the club recently signing Egil Selvik as a precautionary measure.

Tyson Fury bans his ‘distracting’ dad from Usyk re-match

Our Reporters5 months ago5 months ago07 mins

John Fury will not be in his son Tyson’s corner for Saturday’s world heavyweight title showdown against Oleksandr Usyk, the Gypsy King’s trainer has confirmed. Tyson, 36, is bidding to bounce back after losing to the Ukrainian by split decision back in May, with Usyk becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 following his triumph in Saudi Arabia. The Gypsy King’s father John, 59, was criticised by several fans for his behaviour in the build-up to May’s fight, having been left bloodied after headbutting a member of Usyk’s camp. John was left bleeding from his forehead after he launched the attack in the lobby of the Riyadh Hilton Hotel in Saudi Arabia. Footage that quickly circulated on social media showed Fury Snr lashing out with his head towards Stanislav Stepchuk, who was wearing Usyk’s team tracksuit. He then had to be restrained after security stepped in to prevent any further confrontation. After the fight, fans suggested that John’s presence in the corner distracted Tyson from tactical advice being offered by his coach Andy Lee and trainer SugarHill Steward. Now, SugarHill has confirmed that Tyson’s father will not be present in the corner for Saturday’s showpiece. ‘Tyson is just ready right now, along with myself,’ the trainer said. ‘He has always has a silly demeanour, playing around, but this is a different side of him and he is 100 per cent ready.’ When asked exactly who will be in the corner, SugarHill replied: ‘Just myself, Andy Lee and the cutman, pretty much that’s it.’ Meanwhile, Lee admitted there we perhaps too many voices in Tyson’s corner last time. He added: ‘Last time the corner was hectic, especially towards the end of the fight. There were three different voices in there, SugarHill, John and me. ‘I can understand, from a dad’s point of view, he was trying to protect his son. But SugarHill was trying to win the fight. I was told Tyson was two rounds down and I had to communicate that to him.’ Tyson is determined to avenge his sole professional defeat — and perhaps has decided that his father’s exclusion from the corner will help him focus. The Gypsy King revealed earlier this week that he has not spoken to his wife Paris in three months after locking himself away for his training camp. Promoter Frank Warren has explained the thinking behind Tyson shutting himself off from the outside world ahead of this weekend’s heavyweight showdown. ‘His mind just needs to be Usyk,’ Warren exclusively told Mail Sport. Attempting to get into the mind of the Gypsy King, he added: ‘This is what I’ve got to do. I don’t want to be distracted. ‘I don’t want to know if there’s a problem at home. I don’t know if I’ve got a business problem. All I want to do is focus on this. This is what I want. I need to win this fight. ‘It’s not about the belts, it’s about beating the guy who got the decision in the last fight in a very, very close fight, a split decision. He needs and feels he’s got to do this to win that. ‘I’ve got to sacrifice, I’ve got to be in that mood, I’ve got to be in that mindset, I’ve got to focus on this is what it is. And I’m not going to be deviated, no one’s going to distract me. Blinkers on, that’s it. And that’s where he’s at.’ Earlier this month, Tyson vowed to take his rematch against Usyk more seriously this time, admitting he did too much ‘clowning’ during the last bout. He said: ‘I’ll just throw more this time. Keep hitting him in the face more often than I did last time. ‘I’m just going to box smart, box clever and if I catch him, get him out of there. ‘retty similar to what I did last time. ‘A little bit less clowning around and a bit more focus and that’s it, really. ‘I did more clowning than anybody in any high-level fight’s ever done. ‘It’s taken my focus away as well, so maybe a little less clowning and more focus on the actual victory. I was messing around too much in there.’

Pogba’s drug ban cut to 18 months from 4 years

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

French international footballer Paul Pogba’s four-year ban for doping has been reduced to 18 months, a spokesperson from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Friday. “I can confirm the decision: an 18-month suspension with effect from 11 September 2023. The reasons for the decision will follow later,” the CAS spokesperson said. Pogba, who is under contract with Juventus until 2026, will be able to return to competitive football from March 11 next year, four days before his 32nd birthday. Pogba tested positive for testosterone in August 2023 after a match between Juventus and Udinese. He was provisionally suspended in September of the same year, and then banned for four years by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal the following February. Pogba’s representatives said the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States. After the ban was announced, Pogba posted on his Instagram account that he had “never knowingly or deliberately” taken doping products. “I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me,” he wrote. On Friday evening, after the CAS ruling, his post was wordless, showing only a close-up of two feet wearing Pogba football boots with socks bearing his initials and decorated with the French flag and the two World Cup stars. A key figure when France won the 2018 world title in Russia, Pogba collected four Serie A titles in his first stint at Juventus but had a string of problems, on and off the pitch, after his 2022 return from Manchester United. During the 2022-23 season, Pogba made just 10 appearances for the club, mainly due to a knee injury that also ruled him out of the World Cup in Qatar, where France lost out to Argentina in the final in December 2022. He was also the victim of a case of organised extortion, for which six men, including his brother Mathias, were last month ordered to stand trial.