By Baba Alfa, Minna
No hearing date has been set for the ongoing legal dispute between Badeggi FM Radio Station, Minna, and the Niger State Government, as the state is accused of delaying progress on a proposed out-of-court settlement.
Counsel to the respondent, Jacob Johnson Usman (SAN), informed Justice Mohammed Mohammed, a vacation judge of Minna High Court Four, on Monday, 25th August 2025, that the Niger State Government was exploring an out-of-court resolution.
At the resumed hearing yesterday for case number NSHC/M/0296/2025, filed on 5th August 2025, Usman reiterated that the government was pursuing an amicable settlement. He told the court that discussions had been held with counsel for the plaintiff, Barrister Philip Emmanuel:
“I have had a discussion with my clients, the Governor of Niger State and the Attorney General of the State, on the need to resolve the matter, and they agreed,” Usman stated.
He added that both counsels had consented to resolving the matter in the best interest of the state, and the court had been duly notified. Usman had previously informed journalists that a report on the settlement was scheduled for 3rd September 2025.
However, on the day of the report, Barrister Emmanuel told the court that the out-of-court settlement had collapsed.
“My Lord, it is unfortunate that the out-of-court settlement as requested in the last sitting has failed,” he said, while noting that fresh efforts would still be made to explore alternative avenues for resolution.
Presiding Judge Justice Mohammed Mohammed explained that with the settlement efforts unsuccessful, the case file would return to the Chief Judge for re-assignment.
“As you know, I am a vacation judge. The vacation will resume by next week. I will now be on vacation, and the Chief Judge will either re-assign the case as the case may be,” the judge stated.
He adjourned the matter sine die, leaving the next steps in the hands of the Chief Judge.
