Badeggi Radio: New twist as Niger govt opts for out-of-court settlement

The court case between Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio and the Niger State Government has taken a new turn, with the government opting for an out-of-court settlement.

This development came after the radio station’s counsel, Barrister Philip Emmanuel, filed a suit before the Minna High Court, challenging the government’s decision to shut down the station.

At the Monday resumed hearing in the suite number NSHCM/0296/2025, filed on Tuesday, the 5th of August, 2025, the counsel to the defendants, Barr Jacob Johnson Usman, SAN, announced that there is a move for out-of-court settlement in the matter.

ALSO READ: Ondo LP deputy governorship candidate, others defect to APC

Barr. Johnson Usman SAN, informed the court that he had a discussion with the counsel to the Plaintiffs of the need to resolve the matter out of court in the interest of peace and the interest of the generality of the people of Niger.

He further informed the Court that he had earlier informed counsel to the Plaintiffs, Barr. Philip Emmanuel.

“I have had a discussion with my clients, the Governor of Niger State and the Attorney General and the Commissioner Justice in Niger State, that we need to resolve the matter and he agreed.”

Counsel to the Plaintiffs has also agreed that the matter be resolved in the best interest of his clients, stressing that “we have informed the Court as such.

“We have taken a date for 3rd of September, 2025, to report for out-of-court settlement,” Barr. Jacobs Johnson Usman SAN, told Journalists shortly after the court session at the Court’s premises in Minna on Monday”.

Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Minna High Court number four had on Tuesday, the 5th of August, 2025, granted an interim injunction in favour of the plaintiffs, Badeggi FM station, Badeggi Broadcasting Service Ltd, and its Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Shu’aibu Badeggi.

Barr. Philip Emmanuel, Counsel to the plaintiff, had approached the Court through an ex parte motion backed with relevant Provisions and sections of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) and the relevant Provisions of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), among others.

In his last week ruling, Justice Mohammed Mohammed restrained the respondents which includes the Executive Governor of Niger State, the Attorney General of Niger State, and the State’s Urban Development Board, from carrying out any unpleasant action that could be detrimental to the Broadcasting license or business premises of Badeggi FM station, located at the NTA premises, Uphill in Minna.