Section 20: Penalties for unprofessional conduct, etc.

(1) Where-
(a) a registered journalist is convicted of any offence in Nigeria or elsewhere by any court or tribunal having power to impose imprisonment (whether or not such an offence is punishable with imprisonment), which in the opinion of the Council is incompatible with the status of a journalist; or
(b) the Council is satisfied that the name of any person has been fraudulently registered; or
(c)
the Council is of the opinion that a registered journalist has, on the basis of complaints made pursuant to section 16 of this Act, been found guilty of persistent breach of the Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct,
[1999 No. 60.]
the Council may, if it thinks fit, give any of the directions specified in subsection (2) of this section.
(2)
The Council may give a direction under subsection (1) of this section-
[1999 No. 60.]
(a)
reprimanding that person; or
[1999 No. 60.]
(b) suspending that person from practice by ordering him not to engage in practice as a journalist for such period not exceeding three months, as may be specified in the directive; or
(c)
requesting the Nigeria Union of Journalists to strike that person's name off the register and any such directive may, where appropriate, include provision requiring the refund of monies paid or handing over of documents or any other thing as the circumstances of the case may require.
[1999 No. 60.]
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a person shall not be deemed to have committed an offence under this Act, unless it was an offence at the time of commission and at a time no appeal or further appeal is pending or may (without extension of time) be brought in connection with the offence.
[1999 No. 60.]
(4) When the Council gives a direction under subsection (2) of this section, it shall cause notice of the direction to be served on the person to whom it relates.