EXCLUSIVE: Why security operatives sealed private Nigerian Television Station, Core TV
By Chijioke Jannah on February 3, 2017


Contrary to news making the rounds on several online news portals, alleging that operatives of the Department of State Security on Friday sealed a private Nigerian TV station, CORE TV, in an attempt to silence the media, DAILY POST has exclusively gathered that the presence of the heavily armed policemen seen moving out the station’s equipment had nothing to do with media clampdown.

The security operatives stormed the station premises early hours of Friday to enforce an order emanating from the FCT High Court concerning the ownership of the station’s premises.

Our Correspondent reports that about 35 heavily-armed policemen and patrol vehicles were on guard around the premises of the broadcast house as hired labourers were busy moving the station’s property out of the building located at 34, Sokode Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, fueling suspicion of a clampdown.

A staff of the station who pleaded not to be mentioned, told DAILY POST that the order may have to do with the tussle for the ownership rights to the premises and not with the professional conduct of the station.

He said that there had been a lingering court case regarding the property since 2004, and that may have predicated the clampdown.

Running with that lead, the correspondent sought to obtain a copy of the court order.

One of the security operative, who showed DAILY POST the court order, said they had no business with the operations of the station but were merely carrying out instructions to recover the station premises.

According to the court order titled: “Warrant for Recovery of Premise” with number. FCT/HC/W/219/96, Gazi Constructions Ltd, who leased the property to the Core TV station was asked to, within 24 hours, cede the property to Bill Construction (Nig) Ltd.

Meanwhile, the managing director of the station, Mr. Olajide Adeniran, said the operatives shut down the station and barricaded the area around 4:00 a.m without prior notice of wrongdoing.

He also questioned the legality of carrying out an order of the court at night.

“This takes us entirely by surprise. They never formally notified us of any wrongdoing, But even if there’s a court order restraining our operations on premises, why should it be in the middle of the night that they will enforce it and why should they carry our systems and files?” he said.

He, however, exonerated the station from any form of illegality, saying that the media house had no axe to grind with the law.

vedaxcool:
Like we said before every idiotu who ran foul of the law will simply shout DSS to look good in public. Now see how CoreTv shamelessly pretended they had no inkling why their premises was lock when they had been a legal tussle for over 12 years over the same premises. Very soon every scum who pickpockets will claim DSS is harassing him for airing negative comments and wailing zombies will rush to support him. Shameless dolts.

BlackSeptember:
Can't you comment without throwing spittle everywhere

HungerBAD:
Interesting.

You are not even sure who shut down your studio,and the first people that came to your mind is the DSS.

All Fishes eat human flesh,but it is the shark that takes the blame.

So everybody should keep calling the DSS name for their misfortune.

You guys should go pay your rent,as I am certain the owner(s) of the property you occupy,used the Courts system to throw you guys out.

jesus500:
Media houses should not be threatened and intimidated by the authority. Nigeria is a democratic country.

jesus500:
Media houses should not be threatened and intimidated by the authority. Nigeria is a democratic country.

jesus500:
Media houses should not be threatened and intimidated by the authority. Nigeria is a democratic country.

CecyAdrian:


Christ!! Did you read the news @ all? Wow, some people just...

engrjosefz:
Why will they seal the place over the night This country yaf tya me sef... Let me go to Ondo state my country...