AIT Owner, Dokpesi Reacts To Buhari’s Ban

Owner of Daar Communications PLC, Raymond Dokpesi, has stated that Monday’s decision by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to bar one of its subsidiaries, Africa Independent Television, from covering his activities was an attempt by the former military Head of State to bring back the era of Decree 4. Dokpesi said Buhari lacks the power to stop the AIT from covering his activities, as doing so would amount to breaking the law. Buhari, as Head of State promulgated Decree 4, tagged
Public Officers (Protection Against False Accusation) on March 29, 1984. The law was drafted to punish authors of false statements and reports that exposed the Buhari administration and/or its officials to ridicule or contempt. Many journalists were arrested and jailed under the law. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday reversed the decision of the president-elect to stop AIT, saying all accredited media houses are free to report on his activities. Speaking on Tuesday, Mr. Dokpesi stated that Buhari should be reminded that he cannot return Nigeria to the era of Decree 4. He also said Section 39 of the constitution equally grants Nigerians the freedom of expression and to hold opinion.