Documents | Falz Sues NBC for N100 Million for Banning “This Is Nigeria”
The lawyer and the fighting spirit in Falz have charged into action. Three months after his music video “This Is Nigeria” was banned from the air by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the rapper has gone to court to seek redress.
In a motion filed by his lawyers Adepetun Caxton-Martin Agbor & Segun (ACAS-Law), Falz is seeking damages in the sum of 100 million naira. He had, after all, not been making money with the video
The suit reads in parts:
- 1. A declaration that the Defendant’s prohibition of the Plaintiff’s song titled “This Is Nigeria” from being aired by the Nigerian media outfits on the pretext that same is laced with vulgar lyrics is in flagrant breach of the Plaintiff’s right to the freedom of thought, conscience and expression as guaranteed under Sections 38 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and to that extent, such prohibition is unconstitutional, null and void.
- An Order of this Honourable Court setting aside and/or vacating the decision of the Defendant as contained in the letter dated 6th August 2018 and lifting the ban or proscription of the use of the Plaintiff’s song titled, “This Is Nigeria” by any and all Nigerian media outfit/organizations.
- 3. The sum of N100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira to the Plaintiff on the footing of aggravated and exemplary damages for the wrongful and unconstitutional acts of the Defendant.”
“This Is Nigeria,” which addresses some major ills plaguing the country, became controversial almost as soon as it was revealed, with the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) demanding that the video be taken down withing seven days.
The objection of the MURIC may have influenced the NBC’s decision.
Electing to contest the ban in court, and even seeking for damages in the sum of 100 million, is revolutionary for a Nigeria artiste and might encourage other artistes to do the same. Coming from a lawyer, though, we are not surprised.
Read the suit below and share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
