By Charles Maduka
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for banning “Tell Your Papa,” a song by Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem.
The controversial track, which openly criticises President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, was prohibited from airing on radio and TV. NBC described it as “objectionable” and claimed it breached “public decency standards.”
In a suit numbered FHC/L/CS/797/2025 and filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP is challenging the legality of the ban. The group insists the move violates Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression, media freedom, and access to information.
Filed last Thursday, the case seeks an order to reverse the ban and prevent NBC or any other agency from enforcing it in the future.
SERAP maintains that NBC’s April 9 directive banning the song is unconstitutional. It accuses the commission of trying to suppress political expression under the pretext of protecting public morals.
“The ban has a chilling effect on free speech and undermines media freedom,” the organisation said. “NBC hasn’t proven that the song poses any actual threat to national interests that would justify the censorship.”
SERAP also argues that freedom of expression includes artistic content, even when it offends or provokes — especially in political contexts. It said the ban contradicts Nigeria’s obligations under both the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the right to express oneself through art.
“Suppressing songs like this weakens democracy and limits important social debates,” SERAP added.
The court is yet to fix a hearing date.
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