By Uche Mbah
The suspension of the broadcasting licences of DAAR Communications, yesterday, by the Federal Government, has been greeted with outrage and anger across the country.
DAAR Communications, the parent body of African Independent Television, AIT, and Ray Power Radio stations, had its license suspended by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, over what an alleged breach of the broadcasting code of the commission. The NBC is the regulatory body of Broadcasting in Nigeria.
But, Daar Communications, at a world press conference addressed by its founder and emeritus chairman, Dr Raymond Dokpesi, denied any breach on its part, and strongly accused the NBC Director General, Moddibo Kawu of bias against the Organization, and persecution for standing by the truth, speaking truth to power, and standing by the ethics of journalism. The organization, also, asked the Federal Government to quickly relieve Kawu of the DGship of the NBC, for the fact that he is not only standing trial for alleged corruption in his line of duty as the NBC boss, but that it is scandalous that he went back to his seat, after failing to clinch the APC Governorship ticket in Kwara state, recently.
Yesterday, some human rights activists and Dokpesi took to the streets of Abuja, protesting what they described as the intimidation and harassment of the media house by the Commission. The National Assembly was one of the places they visited, where they also called for the resignation of Kawu for alleged conflict of interest. 
Dokpesi alleged that Kawu had, for several months, been harassing and intimidating the media house preparatory for its closure. He submitted a petition to the National Assembly, which was received by Senator Shehu Sani on behalf of the NASS which members were holding a valedictory session to mark the end of the 8th Assembly.
The NBC had sent a warning letter, among a couple of other letters, to DAAR Communications, complaining about its social media content in one of their programs, the khaakaki Social Media and some of its discussion and presentation programs.
The NBC also accused the Organization of owing License fees to the tune of N500m, an accusation DAAR vehemently rejected.
Yesterday, Police and DSS operatives were on hand to deliver the letter of suspension at the Abuja Office of AIT and Ray Power.
Both stations have shut down its operations in compliance with the order.
But, reacting to the NBC action, the Nigerian Guild, NGE, described the suspension of the licenses as shocking and unbelievable. Said the NGE President, Mrs Funke Egbemode, “This action is unbelievable. Why would government do this in a democracy? This action is unacceptable and will not stand” In his own reaction, Atiku Abubakar the Presidential candidate of the PDP, said: ” The legislature has been challenged. The judiciary has been tackled. If we stand by as the Press loses its independence, there will be little to differentiate us from a dictatorship. This should not happen”
DAAR Communications says it would go to Court to seek redress.
