A legal battle is brewing between the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Nigeria’s broadcast regulator, as the group seeks to overturn a ban on a politically charged song by veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem.
The dispute, now before the Federal High Court in Lagos, stems from the National Broadcasting Commission’s decision to prohibit the airing of “Tell Your Papa”, a track critical of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies. The NBC had claimed the song violated national broadcast standards related to public morality.
SERAP, however, argues that the ban constitutes an unlawful clampdown on freedom of expression and media freedom. The group is asking the court not only to lift the ban but to permanently restrain the commission, or any state body, from enforcing such directives in the future.
In its court filings, SERAP contends that the regulator’s April 9 directive breaches both the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations. The organisation insists that the song represents legitimate political commentary and artistic critique, not obscenity or incitement.
“The government cannot hide behind vague claims of public decency to muzzle voices of dissent,” SERAP stated in the suit. “Suppressing creative works that challenge power undermines democratic participation.”
According to SERAP, allowing such censorship would set a dangerous precedent that could stifle artistic freedom and silence critical perspectives, particularly during periods of economic or political tension.
No hearing date has been announced at the time of this report.
