A Niger State High Court has issued an interim injunction restraining Governor Umaru Bago and the state government from taking further punitive actions against Badeggi Radio, a private broadcast station in Minna.

Justice Mohammed S.A. Mohammed, presiding at the Vacation Court in the Minna Judicial Division, granted the order on Tuesday following an ex-parte application by Badeggi Radio Broadcasting Services Ltd and its proprietor, Mohammed Shuaibu Badeggi.

The applicants sought court protection amid growing fears of forceful demolition and license revocation after the station was shut down and marked for destruction by state authorities.

The Niger State government had accused the station of broadcasting content deemed treasonable and capable of inciting public unrest. In a viral video, Governor Bago defended the station’s closure, saying:

“Badeggi Radio is promoting insecurity in Niger City. Its utterances are treasonable. Therefore, we have sealed that station with immediate effect.”

However, in its ruling, the court ordered the government to maintain the status quo, preventing any further action against the station pending the hearing of the substantive motion.

“An order of interim injunction is hereby granted… staying all actions such as revocation, withdrawal, seizure, cancellation, termination, or any other prejudicial act against the applicants’ license… pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice,” the ruling stated.

The ruling comes amid heightened concerns over press freedom and government censorship in Nigeria. The legal standoff between Badeggi Radio and the state government is being closely watched by media rights groups and civil society organisations.