- A Nigerian private radio station has been suspended from air for a period of two weeks, after failing to pay a fine imposed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The suspension effected yesterday comes after Adaba 88.5 FM failed to pay a fine of five hundred thousand naira (approx. US$3,350) imposed on the station on 27 April 2009.
The radio station was accused of having broadcast on 25 April "materials that were capable of inciting members of the public to violence and consequently leading to breakdown of law and order", according to a statement issued by media rights groups in Nigeria.
The broadcasting authorities are further reported to have threatened a much severe sanction should the station failed to comply.
"Consequently, a combined team of security operatives stormed the premises of the station and shut down its operations, preventing it from transmitting, on alleged 'orders from above'," the statement said, adding that this action comes after months of harassment to the station.
Adaba Radio covers about seven states in the southwest and north-central parts of Nigeria and ran reports and commentaries on Governor Segun Mimiko's battle to reclaim his mandate from ex-governor Segun Agagu, as well as the recent gubernatorial election re-runs in its neighbouring Ekiti State.
However, according to the media rights groups, its focus on these and other political issues led to complaints and insinuations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which did not find the station's news reports favourable.
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