On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja accepted the terms of a settlement between the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Daar Communications Plc as its verdict.
Both sides had a conflict that resulted in the suspension of African Independent Television and Raypower 100.5 FM’s domestic broadcast licenses.
The judge, Inyang Ekwo, issued the “consent judgment” after the settlement terms were approved by Daar Communications ‘ attorney on June 20 and filed with the court on June 25.
Daar Communications, the plaintiff, was represented by Mike Ozekhome’s law firm’s Idongesit Udofia.
The settlement terms were not opposed by the lawyer, Bright Igbako, who represented NBC (the first respondent) and the Federation Attorney General’s counsel (the third respondent), O.A Oloruntogbe.
No attorney represented the second defendant, the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
Subsequently, as a verdict of the court, the judge accepted all the seven conditions in the agreement without any modification.
Among others, Mr Ekwo instructed Daar Communications to provide the NBC “with a concrete and realistic proposal” and guarantee that the exceptional license renewal fee is paid promptly.
He also instructed the firm to guarantee balance in its news coverage, in particular the country-wide political commentary on its stations.
“And the court having entered judgment per terms of the settlement adopted, it is hereby ordered as follows:
“That the plaintiff (DAAR Communications Plc) shall furnish the 1st defendant (National Broadcasting Commission) with concrete and realistic proposal and ensure the prompt payment of the outstanding licence the renewal fee for its National Network Broadcast licence (Radio/T.V).
“That the plaintiff shall take necessary internal steps to ensure balance in its news coverage, especially the political commentary on the Plaintiff’s stations across the country.
“That the plaintiff shall take full editorial responsibility for the use of content sourced from social media and all/any other outlets.
“That the plaintiff shall ensure that all programmes transmitted on its TV/Radio stations across the country comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. NH, Laws of the Federation, 2004 and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code as may be in force or/and as amended from time to time.
“That the 1st defendant shall withdraw forthwith, the suspension of the National Network Broadcast licence (Radio/TV) of the plaintiff.
“That the Terms of Settlement tiled and adopted is hereby entered as the judgement of this court in this suit.
“That each of the parties shall bear its own costs of this action.”
