The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Thursday, 6th June 2019, indefinitely suspended the broadcasting licence of Daar Communications Plc for breach of broadcasting code, shutting down the organisation’s stations, African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM. The clampdown on these stations was indicative of a statement on press freedom in Nigeria. On Friday, 7th June 2019, the management of Daar Communications obtained a Court order, directing the Commission to restore its licence. Although the broadcasting company’s licence was restored, Policemen and officials of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) were reported to have laid siege to Daar Communications premises in Abuja on Saturday, 8th June 2019.
Following re-opening of the organisation’s stations, it would seem that the management of Daar Communications Plc and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) have arrived at a consensus. According to news reports, the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO) comprising the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Newspaper Proprietors of Nigeria, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Guild of Editors were instrumental in guiding the two parties to call it truce, at a meeting held in Abuja on Sunday, 9th June 2019. According to a statement by the NPO President, Nduka Obaigbena, Daar Communications will withdraw its Court case against NBC while NBC will rescind its suspension of Daar Communications stations. The statement also read that, “Daar Communications Plc will work out a new realistic payment plan with the NBC and ensure prompt payments in accordance with the new plan” , addressing the payment of dues to NBC. It also stated that AIT has pledged to ensure fairness and balance in its reportage.