By Uche Mbah
An Abuja High Court has ruled that Status Quo prior to the suspension of DAAR communications’ license should be maintained pending the determination of the substantive suit filed before the Court.
DAAR Communications had approached the court with motion seeking to compel NCC to hands off persecution of the Media outfit. The case was filed on 31st of May 2019.
Last Thursday, DAAR communications approached the Court seeking an exparte order returning everything to status quo ante bellum.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo Inyang ordered for both parties to return to the condition before the suspension, effectively nullifying the suspension.
DAAR communications was represented by Mike Ozhekome, SAN.
The case has been adjourned to June 13 for hearing.
Recall that the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, wielded the big stick on DAAR communications alleging infractions on the commission’s modality of operations. This had included indebtedness and airing contents adjudged by the Commission as being against National interest.
Unfortunately, for the commission, it appears that the line between National interest and Presidential interest has been completely blurred as far as the commission is concerned.
NBC had used the Department of State, the Police and other security Agencies to effect the service of the NBC decision.
The Commission’s boss, Modibo Kawu, has a multi billion Naira scandal hanging over his neck and has been under investigations by the Economic and Financial crimes commission, EFCC. It is alleged by the opposition that he was given the option of being prosecuted or hammering Raymond Dokpesi, the Emeritus Chairman of DAAR communication. Dokpesi had been having a running battle with both security agencies and the APC led government. He allegedly chose the later option.
Kawu is said to be a card carrying member of APC, though he vehemently denied that it has any bearing to his decision on DAAR communications in an interview with a daily newspaper.
