By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Minna High Court number four, has granted an interim injunction restraining the Niger State government and its agencies from taking any unpleasant actions against a Minna based private broadcasting station, the Baddegi 90.1 FM station.
Justice Mohammed on Tuesday,the 5th,of August 2025 granted the interim injunction in favour of the applicants, Baddegi, FM station, Baddegi Broadcasting Services Ltd and its Managing Director, Mohammed Shuaibu Baddegi,
This follows a motion ex-parte filed before the court.
The application backed with with various sections and provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,(as amended) and the relevant Provisions of the National Broadcasting Commission Act,among others.
The Court further restrained the respondents, which includes the Executive governor of Niger State,the Attorney General of Niger State, and the Niger State Urban Development Board, from carrying actions that could be detrimental to the Broadcasting license or business premises located at the NTA premises,Uphill in Minna.
Delivering the ruling Justice Mohammed Mohammed underscores the importance of the status quo ante pending the determination of the substantive motion.
Specifically,the interim injunction prohibits actions which include the revocation, withdrawal,seizure or an forceful entry and demolition at the broadcasting house.
Barrister Philip Emmanuel while expressing his delight with the court’s ruling highlighting its significance for the Protection of the applicants Constitutional rights and interest.
The case has been scheduled to 14th of August for further hearing,into the full hearing of the matter.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, had at the large All Progressive Congress (APC) Caucus meeting described the Private Radio’s House activities as Inciting the Public against his administration.
As a result he ordered the Commissioner of Police CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman,and the state Commissioner for Homeland security Bello Mohammed for the demolition of the Radio and the seizure of the Radio’s operational license by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
The Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris who was in the Meeting in a press Statement appealed to the governor to Channel his grievances to the NBC for redress

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

A civil rights group, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy, has raised an alarm over alleged misuse of Magistrate and Area Courts by officials of Kebbi State Government to harass and intimidate political opponents in the state.

The group said that the misuse of the lower courts had become worrisome as over 20 innocent people considered to be political opponents have been clamped into jail through frivolous charges.

Addressing a press conference on the matter in Abuja on Monday, Barrister Kalu Kalu Agu, Head, Legal Services of the Centre, alleged in a petition that Government of Kebbi State is weaponizing security and judicial apparatus to oppress and intimidate dissenting voices.

At the joint media briefing with the African Democratic Congress Legal Support Forum, the group urged all courts within Kebbi State to uphold judicial independence and resist being used as political tools for the oppression of citizens.

Among those alleged to have been unjustly arrested and convicted on false narrations are Ibrahim Adamu Augie for publishing a video on health issues in Kebbi, Mukhtar Dan Baturiya for allegedly airing views considered by the state officials as anti- government.

Others said to have been arrested and made to suffer same fates are Ahmad Tijjani Musa and Ibrahim Bature who were said to have run into trouble with the state government men for exercising their fundamental right of commenting on public matters.

“These are just a few examples among many. Each represents a violation of constitutionally protected freedoms, a misuse of state power, and a betrayal of public trust.

“The pattern is consistent: citizens who voice dissatisfaction or raise awareness about public issues are targeted by the state machinery, prosecuted on frivolous charges, and punished in a manner designed to suppress broader dissent.

“The Centre and the Forum are also in possession of credible reports and firsthand testimonies of several other victims who have suffered prolonged detention, psychological trauma, social stigmatization, and economic loss as a result of these unlawful actions.

“Many have been coerced into silence through fear of further persecution, thereby creating a climate of fear and repression in Kebbi State. The cumulative effect is the erosion of civic space, the suppression of democratic freedoms, and the collapse of public trust in institutions meant to protect justice and liberty.

“These individuals are often summoned under dubious pretenses, arrested without warrant, denied access to legal representation, coerced to write statements and to admit charges, and held in custody beyond the constitutionally allowed duration” Agu stated.

He disclosed that in many instances, the charges brought against these persons are not only frivolous and baseless, but are concocted to suit a political narrative.

Offences such as “public nuisance,” “inciting public disturbance,” and “defamation” according to Agu, have been routinely and wrongfully invoked to criminalize speech and stifle freedom of expression.

The group claimed that the roles of Magistrates and Area courts in the repression has become concerning as the lower courts often lend legitimacy to abuses by entertaining meritless charges and issuing harsh sentences without proper legal scrutiny or regard for due process.

“The weaponization of the security and justice system to punish dissent is an abuse of power that threatens not only Kebbi State but the rule of law in Nigeria as a whole, Agu stated.

The group therefore demanded “an immediate investigation into the conduct of the Kebbi State Government, security agencies, and judicial officers involved in the repression and persecution of opposition voices.

Also, the Centre sought the identification and disciplinary action against officers of the Nigeria Police Force and DSS who have acted outside the scope of their authority in unlawfully arresting and detaining citizens.

Besides, the group requested the immediate release and compensation of all individuals currently in detention or those wrongfully convicted for exercising their constitutional rights to free speech and civic engagement.

The lawyer demanded the monitoring of human rights situation in Kebbi State by national and international organizations, with a view to halting the normalization of state-sponsored persecution.