Rights group sues Nigerian govt over ban of Eedris Abdulkareem’s anti-Tinubu song

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over what it describes as the “arbitrary and unlawful” ban of Eedris Abdulkareem’s politically charged song, Tell Your Papa.

The song, which takes a critical swipe at President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, was recently prohibited from airing on broadcast stations across Nigeria, with NBC claiming it violated “public decency standards.”

In response, SERAP is now challenging the ban in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/797/2025, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

According to the group, the NBC’s directive not only suppresses artistic freedom but also violates Nigerians’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.

In a statement signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation is asking the court to issue an order setting aside NBC’s ban as unconstitutional and unlawful.

SERAP also wants the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining NBC or any government agency from stopping the broadcast of the song on radio, TV, and other media platforms.

SERAP argued that NBC’s letter dated April 9, 2025, which ordered the ban, fails the legal test of necessity and proportionality under both Nigerian and international human rights law.

“Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code is vague, overbroad, and violates artistic and media freedom,” SERAP stated.

They warned that censorship like this not only stifles creativity but also undermines democratic debate.

The group further referenced Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

It stated that any restriction on freedom of expression must be clearly defined by law and necessary for a legitimate purpose—not a political tool to suppress dissent.