NBC Reopens Jay-FM After More Than Two Months Closure

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has reopened a Jos-based private radio station, Jay-FM, in an out of court settlement.

Naija News recalls that on March 1, the NBC shut Jay FM in Jos, Plateau for alleged breach of the broadcasting code of conduct.

The Management of Jay-FM, through its counsel Mrs H.O. Onowoaere told the Presiding Judge of Jos Federal High Court II, Justice Musa Kurya, that the order for the reopening of the radio station came Tuesday evening, May 14 and the station went on air Wednesday morning.

“My Lord, this development came as a result of the NBC willingness to cooperate with us as to our agreement to settle this matter out of court, ’’ Onowoaere told the court on resumption of hearing of the case on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had on May 8 adjourned the case to Wednesday, May 15 for the report of settlement.

But on the resumption of the case, Wednesday, Onowoaere told the court that they could not conclude the settlement because the commission only shows cause on Tuesday with its order of reopening the radio station.

“My Lord, we had even filed a motion exparte dated May 10,. But on May 14, the order reopening the station came in the evening yesterday. “On May 8, we told this honourable court that the NBC has approached us for settlement, and the reopening of the station is just one of the 10 prayers we filed before this honourable court.

“In the circumstance my Lord, we wish to apply for the withdrawal of that motion and equally apply for a new adjournment date to enable us continue with the discussions on the settlement and report back to the court, ’’ she pleaded.

Dr Ogomu Onoja, NBC Jos Zonal Director, who represented the commission, did not object to the application but went ahead to confirm the reopening of the station. Justice Kurya then struck out the motion and adjourned the case to July 1, 2019, for the report of settlement by the parties involved or hearing of the matter.

The judge advised the two parties not to be rigid in their discussions but allow rooms of “give and take’’ to enable them to come to a compromise. NAN had reports that Jay-FM, through its counsel, had sued the commission before the Federal High Court, Jos, demanding the immediate reopening of the station among other nine prayers.

The management of the radio station had described the closure by NBC, as “unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void,’’ since there was no cause for such an action.

The station had demanded for the payment of N500 million to it as general damages for the alleged unlawful closure.