A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to reopen African Independent Television, AIT and Ray Power FM.
NBC had shut down the two stations on allegation of violating the commission’s guidelines.
The Director-General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu, had suspended the licenses of both stations indefinitely, alleging that the stations committed offences such as 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,” among others.
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Both stations are owned by Raymond Dokpesi.
Justice Inyang Ekpo ordered the re-opening of the stations and said that parties in the case should maintain the status quo.
Ekpo adjourned the case to June 13 for the defendant to show proof why the order should not be granted.
NBC had shut other stations in the past such as Joy FM Jos and Ekiti Radio/TV station for violations of the broadcasting code and alleged broadcast of fake election results.