Daar Communication: Court Rules Against NBC Over Suspension of Licence
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the suspension of the operating license of Daar Communications PLC, operator of AIT, Faaji FM and Ray Power.
Justice Inyang Ekwo in his ruling on the matter ordered both NBC and DAAR Communication to maintain the status quo pending a hearing on June 13, 2019.
iDONSABI reports that NBC on Thursday suspended the operating license of the broadcasting outfit over alleged breach of the NBC’s broadcasting code.
The judge also mandated the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and NBC to appear before it to show cause why revert to May 30, 2019 status quo ante bellum, sought by Daar Communications PLC should not be granted.
According to the NBC DG, Dr. Modibbo Kawu had said that the decision was based on the violation of the broadcasting code by the stations which is backed by provisions of Section 10 of the Third Schedule of the NBC Act Cap N11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Apart from violating broadcasting code, he said the decision was also taken for the failure of the broadcast stations to pay their license fees as when due, even persistent warning to the company to toe the line of caution.
Dar Communication via an ex parte application, had, through its lawyer, Mike Ozekhome on Thursday, asked the court to order the Commission to revert its ban.
Daar Communications PLC, haad claimed that did not breach any broadcast code, asking the court to grant its prayers in “restraining the defendants from blocking, jamming, stopping removing from air and/or interfering with the airwaves of the plaintiff/applicant (Daar Plc) in any way and manner however called from invading the premises of the plaintiff/applicant (Daar Plc) or closing down, viet armis, the said premises, its operations or broadcast services, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed along with this application.”
