The Director-General
National Broadcasting Commission
Plot 20, Ibrahim Taiwo Street
(By Aso Villa)
Asokoro,
Abuja.
PETITION ON LIBELOUS DOCUMENTARY ON BOLA AHMED TINUBU ON AFRICA INDEPENDENT TELEVISION ON SUNDAY MARCH 1ST, 2015.
1.We are Solicitors to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (hereinafter referred to as “our client”) and it is on his authority that we stand to write this letter.
2.We write this petition to draw your urgent attention to the extremely libelous one hourdocumentary against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos state.
3.The libelous and injurious documentary ran twice on the Africa Independent Television on Sunday March 1st and again at 10pm – 11pm on Monday, March 2, 2015. The said libelous documentary, we strongly believe violates the rules and regulations guiding such political adverts particularly during an electioneering year.
4.The said documentary is offensive, derogatory, unethical, destructive, and politically motivated to serve the interest of theanonymous ‘sponsor’.
5.You may wish to particularly note that although AIT wrote “sponsored” when broadcasting the documentary, it never during or after the broadcast revealed the “sponsors”,an indication that AIT had something to hide.
6.The Documentary particularly expressly violated paragraphs 3.1.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.5 and paragraphs 5.2.1 – 5.2.22 of National Broadcasting Commission Code.
7.Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not running for any Political Office warranting undue attention to his life affairs, consequently we wonder the motive of the diligent desire of Africa Independent Television (AIT) to destroy his achievement and reputation.
8. AIT has failed to follow and obey rules and regulations guiding such content.We demand that the NBC enforces its regulations by first restraining the AIT and any other media organizations from producing or reproducing in any form of defamatory publication especially the documentary titled, “Lion of Bourdilon”.
9. We also demand that Africa Independent Television (AIT) be sanctioned according to the laws guiding their practice as a deterrent to others.
10. We hope that the NBC will act swiftly in this matter to safeguard its integrity and secure the reputation of media practice.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Yours truly,
OLATUNJI O. ABAYOMI (DR)
PP: Tunji Abayomi & Co
