The National Broadcasting Commission has jammed the Signals of a Pirate Radio claiming to be“Radio Biafra” in most parts of Lagos State south west Nigeria.
The illegal Radio which broadcasts provocative messages is notorious for spewing fake, inflammatory and inciting content, clearly in violation of the country’s broadcast regulations.
A statement from the broadcast regulator quoted the Act that reflects the decision to jam the signals…”The National Broadcasting Commission Act, CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 spells out in chapter 2, subsection 2, that;
“No person shall operate or use any apparatus or premises for the transmission of sound or vision by cable, television, radio, satellite or any other medium of broadcast, from anywhere in Nigeria, except under and in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”
Also, Section 15.4.1 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code provides that;
“The Police shall prosecute any person engaged in any form of broadcasting or in possession of any broadcast equipment or apparatus in the country without a Licence or Permit for the purpose.”
Bring the culprits
The Commission has also used the opportunity to warn the general public that anybody who attempts to operate a broadcasting station in Nigeria without legal authorisation of the National Broadcasting Commission would be prosecuted and the equipment, confiscated in accordance to the Law.
The statement also revealed that the Department of State Security and the Nigerian Police have been requested to bring the culprits behind this illegality to book.
Last year, the NBC has revised the country’s broadcasting code and has been reiterating the need for broadcasters and their stations to play above board in their operations.
Lateefah Ibrahim
