SERAP Slams NBC With Lawsuit Over Eedris Abdulkareem’s Banned Anthem, ‘Tell Your Papa

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal proceedings against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over what it terms the “unlawful and arbitrary” ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s politically charged song, “Tell Your Papa.”

This development was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

The controversial song, which allegedly critiques the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, was barred from airplay by NBC on the grounds of violating “public decency standards.”

In a lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos (suit number FHC/L/CS/797/2025), SERAP is challenging NBC’s directive, arguing it violates constitutionally and internationally protected rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and press freedom.

SERAP is seeking “a perpetual injunction restraining NBC — whether by itself, jointly, or through any other entity or individuals — from preventing the broadcast of the song across any media platform in Nigeria.”

Additionally, the organisation is asking the court to declare NBC’s April 9, 2025 directive banning the song unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the rights to freedom of expression and media independence.

Filed by Oluwadare and two other legal representatives, the suit argues that the ban fails to meet constitutional standards of necessity and proportionality, thereby violating both Nigerian law and international human rights conventions.

SERAP criticised Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, calling it “overly broad and excessively intrusive,” and in breach of fundamental human rights.

The group underscored the importance of artistic expression in a democratic society, warning that such censorship threatens public discourse and undermines democratic values.

“The ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s song fails to satisfy the criteria of legality, necessity, and proportionality,” SERAP stated.

It further warned that citing terms like ‘objectionable content’ or ‘public decency’ should not serve as a cover to suppress critical voices or infringe on Nigerians’ rights.

Citing Article 19(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, SERAP noted that everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference, and Article 19(2) affirms the right to freely seek, receive, and disseminate information across borders.

Under Article 19(3), it added, any restriction on freedom of expression must be grounded in law and deemed necessary to protect national security, public order, health, morals, or the rights of others.