Lawyer Petitions NBC, Seeks Suspension of BBNaija Over Alleged Indecent Content
A Nigerian lawyer and DStv subscriber, T. V. Ramnap, Esq., has filed a formal complaint and pre-action notice against Multichoice Nigeria Ltd over the broadcast of Big Brother Naija on DStv.
The complaint, dated May 25, 2026, was submitted to the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission at the commission’s office in Asokoro, Abuja. Ramnap said the petition was filed pursuant to Section 2(1)(b) and (c) of the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Section 24 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, 6th Edition, and Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution.
In the petition, the lawyer alleged that recent episodes of Big Brother Naija contained scenes and conduct he described as indecent and contrary to Nigerian cultural and moral values.
According to him, the alleged violations included nudity, housemates allegedly engaging in romantic acts, the use of vulgar and indecent language, unmarried male and female housemates sleeping on the same bed in compromising positions, alleged uncensored sexual activity between housemates and repeated use of obscene language. He stated that video clips from recent episodes were attached to the complaint as evidence.
Ramnap argued that the programme violated Section 24 of the NBC Code, which prohibits broadcast materials that offend good taste or decency or are capable of encouraging crime or disorder.
He also cited Section 2(1)(b) of the NBC Act, stating that the commission is empowered to regulate broadcasting in a manner that promotes decency and public morality.
The lawyer further relied on Sections 21, 22 and 23 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that the broadcast undermines constitutional objectives relating to the protection of Nigerian culture, customs, traditions, national ethics, discipline, integrity, dignity, social justice and patriotism.
According to him, the NBC Act and the Broadcasting Code are statutory mechanisms designed to enforce those constitutional objectives. He maintained that failure by the commission to sanction the programme would amount to allowing violations of both the broadcasting code and constitutional values.
Ramnap demanded that the NBC, within 30 days of receiving the petition, declare Big Brother Naija in its current format illegal and in breach of the NBC Code, the NBC Act and Chapter II of the Constitution.
He also asked the commission to direct Multichoice Nigeria Ltd to immediately suspend the programme, sanction the company in line with Section 14 of the NBC Act and provide him with written details of actions taken on the complaint.
The lawyer warned that if the NBC fails to act within the 30-day period, he would file a suit at the Federal High Court against the NBC, Multichoice Nigeria Ltd and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to the notice, the proposed suit would seek the enforcement of rights and public interest, a declaration that the programme is unlawful, an order compelling the NBC to carry out its statutory duties and an injunction restraining further broadcast of the show.
Ramnap said the complaint was filed in good faith and in the public interest to protect Nigerian culture, public morality and constitutional values.
