The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced the suspension of Ahmed Isah’s Human Rights Radio, hosts of the Brekete family programme.
The announcement was made on Thursday afternoon after another video of Isah slapping a man during his programme circulated on social media.
Isah, popularly known as Ordinary President, whose radio programme is popular and has a large audience in Abuja, had first come under criticism following a documentary by BBC Africa Eye. In the documentary, Isah was captured slapping a woman who had burnt a young girl.
He apologised for his action on his radio programme days later.
Not long after, another video of Isah slapping a man for writing names of attendees of his prograame without his permissiom circulated on social media. Isah was summoned by the NBC to explain his actions. The NBC noted that “rather than promote human rights and human dignity”, Isah “physically assaulted” a citizen.
“The Commission states however that the action of the Broadcaster is in clear violations of the Broadcasting Code and a betrayal of the confidence reposed on him by the people and Government of Nigeria,” read Thursday’s letter.
NBC noted that it had “over the years, advised, cautioned, warned and fined the station over repeated cases of outright abuse, denigrating remarks, intimidation and flagrant abuse of ethics of fairness, balance and fair hearing on the station”.
The suspension of the radio will start on May 31 and last for 30 days. After the suspension, Isah will also have to pay a recommencement fee.
FIJ
