TINUBU ASKS NBC TO SANCTION AIT

Former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, has asked the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to sanction the Africa Independent Television (AIT) for airing malicious documentary against his person.
In a petition titled: ‘Petition on Libelous Documentary on Bola Tinubu on African Independent Television on Sunday, March 1, 2015’ and addressed to the NBC Director General, Mr. Emeka Mba, by his solicitor, Mr. Tunji Abayomi, Tinubu alleged that the broadcast station erred on the part of ethics in the documentary.
“We write this petition to draw your urgent attention to the extremely libelous one hour documentary against Tinubu.
“The libelous and injurious documentary ran twice on the AIT on Sunday, March 1 and again at 10p.m. – 11p.m. on Monday, March 2. The said libelous documentary, we strongly believe, violates the rules and regulations guiding such political adverts particularly during an electioneering year.
“The said documentary is offensive, derogatory, unethical, destructive, and politically motivated to serve the interest of the anonymous ‘sponsor’. 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,” he noted.
According to him, the documentary violated paragraphs 3.1.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.5 and paragraphs 5.2.1 – 5.2.22 of NBC Code.
“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 organisations from producing or reproducing in any form of defamatory publication especially the documentary titled: ‘Lion of Bourdilon’.
“We also demand that AIT be sanctioned according to the laws guiding their practice as a deterrent to others. We hope that the NBC will act swiftly in this matter to safeguard its integrity and secure the reputation of media practice,” he said.
He also expressed curiosity over why the former Lagos State governor is the subject of personality attack.
“Tinubu is not running for any political office warranting undue attention to his life affairs, consequently, we wonder the motive of the diligent desire of AIT to destroy his achievement and reputation,” Abayomi stressed.
Source: Thisday