DAAR Communications sues FG over plans to cancel network licence
By Tobi Soniyi, Abuja, Published: Monday, 21 Dec 2009



Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili,


DAAR Communications Plc (owners of Ray Power 100.5 FM radio station and AIT) has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the Federal Government from actualising its plans to withdraw its network licence.

The network licence of DAAR Communications allows it to maintain multiple terrestial stations in the country to transmit its radio and television programmes on network basis in the country.

The Federal Government granted the plaintiff the licence more than 14 years ago.

But in an originating summons filed at the court by DAAR Communications’ lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, the media outfit is asking the court to issue a separate order setting aside a purported bid for a fresh network licence held by the National Broadcasting Commission between September 6 and December 12, 2009 on the grounds that it was flawed, overreaching, wrongful, oppressive, unconscionable, null and void.

The plaintiff also asked the court to order the NBC to issue it with a fresh network licence for radio and television broadcast upon payment of the appropriate fees if the court held that it did not possess a valid network service.

The plaintiff further said the court must move in its favour before the government carried out its threat to shut down over 22 of its stations across Nigeria, which would force thousands of its workers back into the labour market.

It also argued that the failure of the court to act fast would deprive Nigerians of their constitutional rights to receive and impact ideas through its media while the investing public that had shares in it would be deprived of their means of livelihood.

The plaintiff joined NBC, Ministry of Information and Communications and the Attorney-General of the Federation as co-defendants to the suit.

DAAR Communications had also formulated five questions for the court to determine and sought five declaratory and three injunctive reliefs.

The case has not been assigned to any judge.

The prayers include a declaration that having regard to the totality of the facts and the entire circumstances of the case, the plaintiff was entitled to be granted a fresh network licence for radio and television broadcast upon payment of the appropriate fees.

The fact of the case was that between 1995 till date, the Federal Government had allowed the DAAR Communications to enjoy the services of network broadcasting on both radio and television across Nigeria.

That was after a lot of exchanges of correspondences between the plaintiff and the defendants on the request for and the grant of network licence by both parties.

But sometimes in September this year, the NBC issued a directive for fresh bid for broadcast networks in the country.

The commission directed that only one network each would be allowed for radio and television in addition to those of Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

The said release containing the directive was, however, silent on the existing network already being enjoyed by DAAR Communications through its radio and television arms.

The plaintiff though protested the directive of the NBC to the Ministry of Information and Communications, the ministry, however, advised it to obtain the application form first before forwarding a formal complaint to it.

Based on the advice, DAAR Communications purchased the forms for N2m for radio and television network service and filed its complaints to the communication ministry.

The plaintiff, in its affidavit accompanying the writ said it went through a technical evaluation with other bidders and emerged successful alongside Silverbird Communications and Megaletrics.

It said that it bidded N720m for radio and N1.5bn for television on the first day of the financial bid opening to beat Silverbirds’ N250m and Megaletric’s N200m for radio and Silverbird‘s N300m for television.

The plaintiff said that the NBC, however, rejected the bids on the grounds that none of the parties met the reserved price set by the commission.

The plaintiff added that it believed that there was manipulation of the reserve price by NBC as evident from the progression of the price bided by Silverbird Communications of N1.5bn for radio and N3.5bn for television as against its N725m for radio and N1.510bn for television.


http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20091221253328

Prof. Dora Akunyili

This is another ploy to curb media intrusion into what is happening in government.

Otobroto:

Prof. Dora Akunyili

I am beginning to hate this woman the more. She is rubbishing all her good records in this nation. I started to hate her during Ekiti governorship rerun elections. She was a total disgrace.

The latest News is that, a Federal High Court has placed an injunction on NBC not to withdraw AIT's network licence. Prof. Dora, what do intend to achieve? Why does Ministers of Information try to frustrate the press and the media in the country? Why?

Unless the court stop the Federal government acting through NBC, AIT is a goner, and so the investing public monies/investments and countless jobs, and some element of freedom of speech.

The handwriting has been on the wall since Gbenga ARULEBA of FOCUS NIGERIA was axed because PDP led governemnt are too scared of the media and the public. Anyway since ARuleba was axed, Focus Nigeria is dead along with AIT waiting to be buried. SAD IN 2009

SICK PRESIDENT OF A SICK NATION.

Dora Akinyuli is being used in the manipulation of the media.

NIGERIA; GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION, AWFUL GOVERNMENT

The fact of the matter - It is only country willing broadcast propaganda creates the post of Information Minister.

vigasimple:

Unless the court stop the Federal government acting through NBC, AIT is a goner, and so the investing public monies/investments and countless jobs, and some element of freedom of speech.

The handwriting has been on the wall since Gbenga ARULEBA of FOCUS NIGERIA was axed because PDP led governemnt are too scared of the media and the public.  Anyway since ARuleba was axed, Focus Nigeria is dead along with AIT waiting to be buried. SAD IN 2009

SICK PRESIDENT OF A SICK NATION.

Dora Akinyuli is being used in the manipulation of the media.

NIGERIA; GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION, AWFUL GOVERNMENT

Yes you are right. I started suspecting it during Gbenga Aruleba's case on Focus Nigeria. Do you know that AIT is beginning to have problem?. Do you know that DAARSAT has been off air for over a month now under the guise that, they are upgrading? Why not encourage these guys? Why allow us to watch NTA that can cause eyes disease? NTA tell lies more than devil himself. I know all these is a fallout of T.V. right for FIFA Under 17 World cup, that was given to AIT.

You need to see the stupid thing NBC Showed us as "World Footballer of the Year Awards". That is what they still want to monopolise!. Do our leaders even think at all? I will advise Prof. Dora to resign, and save herself further embarrassment. She is becoming a disgrace to this nation!. Good People, Great Nation, Bad Minister!.

DAAR Communications sues Fed. Govt., NBC over licence withdrawal plan
By Kamarudeen Ogundele Published Today News Unrated


DAAR Communications Plc, owners of Ray Power 100.5 FM radio station and Afica Independent Television (AIT), has sued the Federal Government over plans to withdraw its network operation licence.

In the suit filed at a Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiff says if government carries out the threat of shutting down its stations, its workers will be forced to the streets for jobs.

This, it notes, will also deprive Nigerians of their constitutional rights to receive and get ideas through its media while its investors will be deprived of their means of livelihood.

The network licence allows the organisation to maintain multiple terrestrial stations in the country and it uses this in transmitting its radio and television programmes on the network across the country.

The Federal Government granted DAAR Plc the licence more than 14 years ago.

In the originating summons filed last Friday by the law chambers of Chief Mike Ozekhome, the group wants the court to issue an order setting aside a purported bid for fresh network licence held by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) between September 6 and December 12, 2009.

According to the plaintiff, the purported bid was flawed, overreaching, wrongful, oppressive, unconscionable, and null and void.

It, therefore, wants the court to compel NBC to issue it a fresh network licence for radio and television broadcast upon payment of the appropriate fees if the court holds that it does not, at the moment, possess a valid network service.

Defendants in the suit are the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Attorney General of the Federation and NBC.

NBC was sued because it is the Federal Government parastatal with the statutory responsibility of regulating and controlling the broadcasting industry in the country, while the Ministry of Information and Communications was sued because it has the statutory power of supervising and overseeing the activities of the NBC.

The Attorney-General of the Federation was joined in the suit on behalf of the Federal Government, being the Chief Law Officer of the Federation.

The plaintiff poses five fundamental/statutory questions for the court to determine. These are:

* A declaration that regarding the facts and the entire circumstances of the case, the plaintiff is entitled to be granted a fresh network licence for radio and television broadcast upon payment of the appropriate fees.

•From 1995 till date, the Federal Government had allowed the DAAR Communications Plc to enjoy the services of network broadcasting on both radio and television across Nigeria. That was after exchanges of correspondence between the plaintiff and the defendants on the request for and the grant of network licence by both parties.

•In September this year, the NBC asked for fresh bid for broadcast networks in the country. The commission said only one network each would be allowed for radio and television in addition to those of NTA and FRCN.

•The said release containing the directive was however silent on the existing network already being enjoyed by DAAR Communications through its radio and television. No date has been fixed for hearing.

selingel:

DAAR Communications sues Fed. Govt., NBC over licence withdrawal plan
By Kamarudeen Ogundele Published Today News Unrated


DAAR Communications Plc, owners of Ray Power 100.5 FM radio station and Afica Independent Television (AIT), has sued the Federal Government over plans to withdraw its network operation licence.

In the suit filed at a Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiff says if government carries out the threat of shutting down its stations, its workers will be forced to the streets for jobs.

This, it notes, will also deprive Nigerians of their constitutional rights to receive and get ideas through its media while its investors will be deprived of their means of livelihood.

The network licence allows the organisation to maintain multiple terrestrial stations in the country and it uses this in transmitting its radio and television programmes on the network across the country.

The Federal Government granted DAAR Plc the licence more than 14 years ago.

In the originating summons filed last Friday by the law chambers of Chief Mike Ozekhome, the group wants the court to issue an order setting aside a purported bid for fresh network licence held by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) between September 6 and December 12, 2009.

According to the plaintiff, the purported bid was flawed, overreaching, wrongful, oppressive, unconscionable, and null and void.

It, therefore, wants the court to compel NBC to issue it a fresh network licence for radio and television broadcast upon payment of the appropriate fees if the court holds that it does not, at the moment, possess a valid network service.

Defendants in the suit are the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Attorney General of the Federation and NBC.

NBC was sued because it is the Federal Government parastatal with the statutory responsibility of regulating and controlling the broadcasting industry in the country, while the Ministry of Information and Communications was sued because it has the statutory power of supervising and overseeing the activities of the NBC.

The Attorney-General of the Federation was joined in the suit on behalf of the Federal Government, being the Chief Law Officer of the Federation.

The plaintiff poses five fundamental/statutory questions for the court to determine. These are:

* A declaration that regarding the facts and the entire circumstances of the case, the plaintiff is entitled to be granted a fresh network licence for radio and television broadcast upon payment of the appropriate fees.

•From 1995 till date, the Federal Government had allowed the DAAR Communications Plc to enjoy the services of network broadcasting on both radio and television across Nigeria. That was after exchanges of correspondence between the plaintiff and the defendants on the request for and the grant of network licence by both parties.

•In September this year, the NBC asked for fresh bid for broadcast networks in the country. The commission said only one network each would be allowed for radio and television in addition to those of NTA and FRCN.

•The said release containing the directive was however silent on the existing network already being enjoyed by DAAR Communications through its radio and television. No date has been fixed for hearing.

I am ashamed of Dora Akunyili, through the NBC. The main reason for collection of this licence, is what is highlighted above. Dora should just resign. She is a failure in that Ministry. I do not blame her anyway. I blame Madam Yar'adua for denying her Ministry of Health, just because she wants to give it to one of her former aides (the current Minister). Perhaps, she would have done better there. I wonder what syringe has to do networking?.

Government is trying to clip AIT's wings 'cos:
- Govt. no longer has a medium 2dish out lies to the public 'cos nobody's watching NTA anymore.
- AIT is just too critical of the government. It just looks like every week a new political programme rears its head and alwayz giving the govt. some hard knocks and they(govt.) are not finding it funny.
- AIT's broadcast equipment and installation makes NTA look like a joke.

selingel:


I am ashamed of Dora Akunyili, through the NBC. The main reason for collection of this licence, is what is highlighted above. Dora should just resign. She is a failure in that Ministry. I do not blame her anyway. I blame Madam Yar'adua for denying her Ministry of Health, just because she wants to give it to one of her former aides (the current Minister). Perhaps, she would have done better there. I wonder what syringe has to do networking?.

Erm sorry are you implying the current minister of health is less capable than Dora?
You are not blaming Dora for accepting a lesser post in the hope a UN post comes along?
to me that's what she was hoping for a step up for an international role via UN like Obikwezili***
you are not blaming your senators for not being able to deliver the post for one of theirs?

i think AIT is about to loose that licence because of that stupid opening music it plays since inception you know that one , Africa music television , ogbonge station,mama papa oohh, that score make me mad all the time.

ode remo:

i think AIT is about to loose that licence because of that silly opening music it plays since inception you know that one , Africa music television , ogbonge station,mama papa oohh, that score make me mad all the time.

_{LMAO not only that, it seems their newscasters don't know what a good hair cut look like!!And they should invest in some anti-reflective specs!!}

Serves him right for going about town like a bull, instead of having a proper management board he is busy shoving his belly here and there


Dora try sha, first it was Ernest Ndukwe now another Southerner Dokpesi

the northerners are really pushing her buttons abi?

the northerners are really pushing her buttons abi?

ahahahaha . that now makes me jealous.

daar communications also have lots of internal issues that is even more that all this crap am reading here.

*Sighs heavily*

Dis Guy:

Erm sorry are you implying the current minister of health is less capable than Dora?
You are not blaming Dora for accepting a lesser post in the hope a UN post comes along?
to me that's what she was hoping for a step up for an international role via UN like Obikwezili***
you are not blaming your senators for not being able to deliver the post for one of theirs?

Well, since she was not Minister, it would have been better if she had become a Minister in her field before moving forward. That not withstanding, if the UN job came before the ministerial job, why not? The issue here is, she is not doing well in that Ministry. She is being used to step on toes, which will back fire on her soon.

Dis Guy:

Erm sorry are you implying the current minister of health is less capable than Dora?
You are not blaming Dora for accepting a lesser post in the hope a UN post comes along?
to me that's what she was hoping for a step up for an international role via UN like Obikwezili***
you are not blaming your senators for not being able to deliver the post for one of theirs?

Well, since she was not Minister, it would have been better if she had become a Minister in her field before moving forward. That not withstanding, if the UN job came before the ministerial job, why not? The issue here is, she is not doing well in that Ministry. She is being used to step on toes, which will back fire on her soon.

selingel:


Well, since she was not Minister, it would have been better if she had become a Minister in her field before moving forward. That not withstanding, if the UN job came before the ministerial job, why not? The issue here is, she is not doing well in that Ministry. She is being used to step on toes, which will back fire on her soon.

I will still emphasize. let Dora Resign, she is killing us. She dealt Ernest Ndukwe, now is AIT. Is she helping us, or dancing to the music of the North?

Madam Dora, is killing AIT part of your N325million budget for Rebranding Nigeria?

Oboma1:


I am beginning to hate this woman the more. She is rubbishing all her good records in this nation. I started to hate her during Ekiti governorship rerun elections. She was a total disgrace.

About Dora Akunyili? There is an old Yoruba adage; 'The lamb that keeps the company of dogs will start to eat faeces.' Like Fela would say 'she missed road'

Madam Dora, is killing AIT part of your N325million budget for Rebranding Nigeria?

When a few years back the US released intelligence reports that the entity known as Nigeria would cease to exist by the middle of the next decade, the Obasanjo people(and many of us too) came out with ferocity condemning the US. Now the signs of that inevitable disintegration are beginning to show but instead of the illegal "leadership" to tackle the real problems they still want to fight with populace.
These types of events prelude seismic activities that shake a nation's foundations. A wise govt like the Apartheid one in South Africa in the 1980s read the writing on the wall and relinquished political power, in Nigeria the blind mice don't seem to understand what the writing reads. I weep for what is about to erupt, MY COUNTRY NIGERIA.

edoyad:

When a few years back the US released intelligence reports that the entity known as Nigeria would cease to exist by the middle of the next decade, the Obasanjo people(and many of us too) came out with ferocity condemning the US. Now the signs of that inevitable disintegration are beginning to show but instead of the illegal "leadership" to tackle the real problems they still want to fight with populace.
These types of events prelude seismic activities that shake a nation's foundations. A wise govt like the Apartheid one in South Africa in the 1980s read the writing on the wall and relinquished political power, in Nigeria the blind mice don't seem to understand what the writing reads. I weep for what is about to erupt, MY COUNTRY NIGERIA.

I am not moved about what America says. They have not resolved their own problems, yet they want to assist others. Even those they tend to assist, are they not doing so because of the favour they intend to gain? Why didnt they assist Liberia, when that country needed them most? Is it not because they dont have oil wells? I am moved by what you and me intend to turn this country into.

Dora should resigned. She has failed!.

Dora should resign.

Enjoyment1:

Madam Dora, is killing AIT part of your N325million budget for Rebranding Nigeria?

Imagine, another waste of public funds. N325million just for rebranding a nation that is not changing? Is rebranding closing down AIT?

edoyad:

When a few years back the US released intelligence reports that the entity known as Nigeria would cease to exist by the middle of the next decade, the Obasanjo people(and many of us too) came out with ferocity condemning the US. Now the signs of that inevitable disintegration are beginning to show but instead of the illegal "leadership" to tackle the real problems they still want to fight with populace.
These types of events prelude seismic activities that shake a nation's foundations. A wise govt like the Apartheid one in South Africa in the 1980s read the writing on the wall and relinquished political power, in Nigeria the blind mice don't seem to understand what the writing reads. I weep for what is about to erupt, MY COUNTRY NIGERIA.

These guys should leave us alone. We have our own problems. GOD will help us. They should solve their own. As for What FG is trying to do, through Dora, I am really disappointed. Dora should resign. She is stepping on toes, and destroying every democratic structures she once build. I am ashamed of her.

Enjoyment1:


Imagine, another waste of public funds. N325million just for rebranding a nation that is not changing? Is rebranding closing down AIT?

What a waste!.

Enjoyment1:


Imagine, another waste of public funds. N325million just for re-branding a nation that is not changing? Is rebranding closing down AIT?

According to Madam Dora,: Nigerians are coming back from their 'foreign' lecturers with their project about re-branding the country which will be submitted to their foreign counterpart' this shows how successful the project is