Niger State Government Opts for Out-of-Court Settlement in Badeggi FM Legal Dispute.
By Yahaya Zakka Minna.
The Niger State Government has chosen to pursue an out-of-court settlement regarding the ongoing legal dispute involving Badeggi FM Radio station, as announced during a recent hearing at the Minna High Court.
During the resumed hearing of case number NSHC/M/0296/2025 on Monday, attorney Jacob Johnson Usman SAN, representing the defendants, revealed that discussions had taken place with the opposing counsel, Barrister Philip Emmanuel. These conversations emphasized the need to amicably resolve the matter in the interest of peace and the welfare of Niger State citizens.
Usman highlighted that he consulted with key officials, including the Governor of Niger State and the Attorney General, both of whom supported the decision to settle the case harmoniously.
Following these discussions, both legal representatives agreed that the dispute could be resolved outside of court, prompting an agreement to reconvene on September 3, 2025, to report on the progress of the settlement.
This decision follows an interim injunction granted by Justice Mohammed Mohammed during the initial hearing on August 5, 2025, which favored the plaintiffs, including Badeggi FM station, Baddegi Broadcasting Service Ltd, and its Managing Director, Mohammed Shaibu Baddegi.
The injunction prohibits any actions by the respondents – which include the Executive Governor of Niger State, the Attorney General, and the Urban Development Board – that might adversely affect the radio station’s broadcasting license or its operations at the NTA premises in Uphill, Minna.
Barrister Philip Emmanuel filed the original suit through an ex-parte motion backed by relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and the guidelines set by the National Broadcasting Commission.
The court’s decision and the subsequent move towards settlement reflect a collaborative effort between both parties, aiming to prioritize the public interest and foster stability within Niger State’s media landscape.
