Socio - Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Broadcasting Comission (NBC) to immediately lift the suspension and fine of Channels Television purportedly for breaching the broadcast code. It stated that it would be taking legal actions if the decisions are not reversed within 48 hours. According to SERAP, "The Acting Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Professor Armstrong Idachaba reportedly accused the TV station of interviewing a leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) allegedly without “caution or reprimand.” It stated that the suspension of Channels Tv is unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary and without any legal basis whatsoever, therefore the government and NBC should immediately lift the suspension and reverse the fine. SERAP stressed that the media freedom and media plurality are a central part of the effective exercise of freedom of expression and access to information, and the ability to practice journalism freely and to cover diverse views are crucial to the exercise of many other rights and freedoms. "The government of President Buhari has a responsibility to protect Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information," it added.
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