Court orders re-opening of AIT, Ray Power FM

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday ordered the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to re-open African Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM.

Recall that the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, had on Thursday suspended the licences of the African Independent Television, AIT, and Ray Power FM indefinitely.

NBC’s Director-General, Dr Modibbo Kawu, said the stations committed offences, which included the airing of a Presidential election documentary by the AIT, a matter pending before a tribunal; the inability of the company to pay its fees, the use of “divisive and inciting contents from the social media,” and others.

Ruling on the matter on Friday, Justice Inyang Ekpo ordered the re-opening of the stations and ordered that parties in the case should maintain the status quo.

The presiding judge adjourned the case to June 13 for the defendant to show cause why the order should not be granted.

NBC had similarly before the election shut down Joy FM in Jos for violations of the broadcasting code. Last year, the NBC also shut down Ekiti Radio/TV station when former governor Ayo Fayose used the stations to broadcast fake election results.