SaharaReporters has received exclusive documents stating that the Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an injunction against Daar Communication Plc owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The defendants produced, and were going to broadcast a negative documentary against All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice Presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
An investigation lead by SaharaReporters, published on March 9th, revealed that African Independent Television (AIT)—owned by Raymond Dokpesi of Daar Communications Plc—accepted 10 billion naira from Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan to produce and broadcast negative documentaries on APC leaders. The NTA has also been part of this plot and was found to have assisted in the preparation of these films.
AIT, with the other defendants, previously aired a film on APC Presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari, which thoroughly maligned Buhari detailing his life history as a military ruler of Nigeria for a period in the 1980s.
Judge J.T. Tsoho, the Presiding Judge in the case, stated that “respondents, their agents, privies, representatives and other media entities under the control of [the National Broadcasting Commission]…[must refrain from any] violation of the Applicant’s [Yemi Osinbajo] right to dignity of the human person.”
The documents detailed that “an order of Interim Injunction shall be considered with notice to Respondents,” and that “the status quo [injunction] as at today shall be maintained pending hearing and determination of the Motion of Notice.”
Judge Tsoho signed and dated the injunction on March 11, 2015, and it remains in effect until he releases the defendants from the interim court injunction.
Africa International Television, Daar Communications Plc, and Raymond Dokpesi did not answer SaharaReporters calls for a comment on this matter.
See court order below:
