Groups sue firm over Big Brother Naija show

The Incorporated Trustees of Project for Human Development and others have filed a suit against the Multi Choice Nigeria Limited, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Federal Government of Nigeria for allegedly promoting sexual perversion on television reality show, Big Brother Naija.

The applicants filed the suit before a Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking an order of court to declare that the sexual perversity, eroticism, sucking of bottom, masturbation and gross obscenity being displayed on the TV reality show called Big Brother Naija are damaging the character of young Nigerians.

Aside Incorporated Trustees of Project for Human Development, other plaintiffs are incorporated Trustees of Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH), Trustees of Association of Concerned Mothers and Trustees of Muslim Rights Concern Association as first to fourth plaintiffs in the suit.

The group said the TV show violates section 17 (3)(f), 21 (a), 23,37,42, 45 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Articles 2,8,17,18,28,29 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right (Ratification enforcement) Act, Cap10 and section 0.2.2.2 (a), 0,2,3 (a) 3.6.1, 3.6.2, 3.7.5, 3.7.10, 3.8.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.2 (a)(b)(j), 14.0.1 of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) (5th Edition) Code and therefore illegal and unconstitutional. 

They are therefore praying the court for a perpetual injunction, restraining the first respondent (Multi Choice Limited) whether by themselves, their agents or privies or otherwise howsoever from further soliciting for subscription to the show or promoting, marketing, advertising or airing of same anywhere in Nigeria.

In a 27 paragraph affidavit in support of the motion on notice sworn to by a member of one of the group, Elizabeth Ojiabor, she averred that “the housemates of 2018 episode of BBNaija, most of whom were unmarried young men and women took their bath together, slept together, had sex together, masturbated together, sucked bottom together and so forth under the beam of the TV camera and before TV viewers.“Thousands of young Nigerians, who watched the 2018 episode of BBNaija were disgusted with bits of sexual perversity and obscene content, which is a violation of National Broadcasting Commission Code,” she averred.”

She noted that the edition was horrible and offensive to public morality, adding that the group lodged complaint with the second respondents about the scandalous explicit sexual perversity and erotic content of the 2018 BBNaija but till date, the 2nd respondent failed to sanction the 1st respondent.