In a statement, SERAP said the complaint, addressed to the Chairperson of the Commission Solomon Dersso and other officials of the commission is brought pursuant to Articles 55 and 56 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Rule one zero-zero of the Rules of Procedure of the African Commission.
The complaint followed the move to push through two bills to amend the National Broadcasting Act, and to amend the Nigeria Press Council Act which is sponsored by Chairman, House Committee on Information, Segun Odebunmi.
In the petition signed by its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said push by the Nigerian government and the National Assembly to support the anti-media bills is unlawful, as passing the bills would be contrary to the country’s obligations to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the right to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.
