The Niger State Government has decided to pursue an out-of-court resolution in its legal battle with Badeggi FM Radio Station, Minna, which Governor Mohammed Umar Bago had previously ordered closed.
During Monday’s resumed hearing at Minna High Court No. 4, the defendants’ lead counsel, Jacob Johnson Usman (SAN), told the court that discussions had been held with the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Barrister Philip Emmanuel, to resolve the case amicably.
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Usman said he had consulted with his clients — the Governor and the Attorney General — and received their consent to opt for settlement, noting, “The counsel to the plaintiffs also agreed that the matter be resolved in the best interest of his clients. We have taken a date for September 3, 2025, to report on the out-of-court settlement.”
The suit (No. NSHC/M/0296/2025) was filed on August 5, 2025, by Badeggi FM, Badeggi Broadcasting Service Ltd., and its Managing Director, Mohammed Shaibu Badeggi.
On the same day, Justice Mohammed Mohammed granted an interim injunction barring the defendants — including the Governor, Attorney General, and the Urban Development Board — from taking steps that could harm the station’s licence or business premises located within the NTA compound in Uphill, Minna.Barrister Emmanuel’s ex-parte application had cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) alongside relevant National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) regulations.
