Relief as court temporarily restores AIT’s broadcast licence

Temporal relief has come the way of DAAR Communications owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM) courtesy of an order by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, ordered both DAAR communications and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to maintain the status quo pending a hearing on June 13, 2019.

While delivering the order, Justice Inyang Ekwo also mandated the FG and NBC to appear before it to show cause why a revert to May 30, 2019 status quo ante bellum, sought by Daar Communications PLC should not be granted.

The judge also noted that, by the issues raised in its application by DAAR Communications, the respondents deserved to be heard.

Read also: NBC shuts down AIT, Ray Power over ‘violation of broadcasting code’

The presiding judge also rejected two prayers by DAAR, for restraining orders against the respondents – NBC, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture (FMIC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

Instead, Justice Ekwo granted the alternative relief: “an order for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum as at 30th of May, 2019, pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice filed along with this application.”

Before adjourning the case till June 13, 2019, for further proceedings Justice Ekwo said the applicant, DAAR would be penalised should it turn out, at the end of the day, that the order ought not to have been made.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now