NBC VS AIT: Court fixes June 26 for hearing on the terms of settlement

The hearing on the terms of settlement between the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and DAAR Communications PLC over alleged breach of broadcasting code has been fixed for June 26 by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The matter was adjourned till the aforementioned date by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Thursday after listening to the parties in the matter including the NBC, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the Attorney General of the Federation.

Earlier, Sylvanus Maliki, the counsel to DAAR Communications had informed the court that the parties in the matter have met to resolve the issues in the dispute.

Recall that the NBC in a strongly worded letter dated May 27, accused DAAR of breaching the Nigeria’s Broadcasting Code with its political programme Kakaaki.

The meeting of stakeholders which resolved the face-off between NBC and AIT had the presence of the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), comprising of the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the controversy surrounding the suspension of the licence of DAAR Communications Plc was resolved and put to rest at least for now.

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The meeting which had in attendance personalities like Ishaq Modibbo-Kawu, Director General & CEO, NBC; High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, DAAR Communications Plc; Mr.Raymond Dokpesi, Jnr, Chairman of the Board, DAAR Communications Plc; Mr. Tony Akiotu, GMD, DAAR Communications Plc; Mrs. Tosin Dokpesi, MD, AIT; Barrister Donatus Anopuo-Company Secretary DAAR Communications PLC; Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher, VANGUARD Group; Mallam Ismaila Isa, Patron NPAN and Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, President NPAN and President NPO, resolved as follows:

“DAAR Communications Plc. will work out a new realistic payment plan with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and ensure prompt payments in accordance with the new plan.

“DAAR Communications Plc. will appoint an Ombudsman to ensure balance in its news coverage especially political commentary; it will also take full editorial responsibility for the use of content sourced from social media outlets.

“Following this NPO statement, the NBC will immediately lift the suspension of the broadcast license of DAAR Communications Plc.

“DAAR Communications Plc. will withdraw its case in court, against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and all parties will take necessary steps to work together to build confidence in the public interest.”

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