The National Broadcasting Commission, or NBC, in Nigeria Saturday lifted the suspension order on the operations of one of the country’s independent television stations, which was being punished for carrying a story purporting that President Umaru Yar’Adua would resign over ill health.
On Sept. 17, the NBC suspended the operations of Channels Television in all parts of the country for carrying the story, which was later denied by the president’s office. The previous night, security authorities had shut down the station and arrested five of its journalists after it reported that Yar’Adua was planning to resign for health-related reasons.
Channels TV officials said the story emanated from the state-run News Agency of Nigeria, or NAN, but the agency said it wasn’t responsible for the story, saying “it was the handiwork of those who did not wish Yar’Adua and the country well.”
Yomi Bolarinwa, NBC’s director general, said in a statement that the suspension was lifted after “getting satisfactory findings on the immediate and remote causes of the report on Yar’Adua.”
He said Channels Television should put in place effective mechanisms to confirm news items and sources before broadcast.
Bolarinwa added that the NBC would work with security agencies to ensure that all journalists detained in connection with the report were released. Some of the journalists have already been freed by state security officials.
Yar’Adua’s health status has been of concern to Nigerians. He had gone to Germany for medical treatment since he assumed office in May 2007 and press reports said he also had medical treatment during his trip to Saudi Arabia last month.
The opposition had prevailed on him to resign his position due to “poor health.”
Yar’Adua’s victory in April 2007 polls has been challenged at the Supreme Court by his two main rivals – Mohammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, or ANPP, and Atiku Abubakar of the Action Congress.
The court has yet to give its judgment in the case.