Court stops AIT from airing documentary on Tinubu

A Lagos High court in Ikeja Monday granted an
interim order restraining the Africa Independent
Television(AIT) from broadcasting a documentary
titled "Lion of Bourdilion" allegedly aimed at
tarnishing the image of former Lagos State Governor,
Chief Bola Tinubu.
Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe arrived at the decision after
Tinubu's counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, made
an oral application asking the court to grant an
interim order restraining AIT from airing the
contentious documentary.
Tinubu: Leader of ACN
"The defendant is hereby restrained from further
airing, publishing or disseminating broadcasting the
documentary "Lion of Bourdilion", pending the
determination of the interlocutory application,"
Justice Akinkugbe said.
In the suit, Tinubu is claiming N150billion as
damages against AIT alleging that the documentary
was libellous and aimed at tarnishing his image.
Tinubu, through an ex-parte motion, among others,
sought an order to restrain the TV station from
continuing the broadcast of the documentary, which
it started airing on March 1st and had been repeating
daily, pending the hearing and determination of the
motion on notice dated March 5, 2015.
The motion further noted that damages would not
adequately compensate applicant/claimant if the ex-
parte order was not granted and prayed that the rest
of the suit may be extinguished if the ex-parte order
was not granted.
It also noted that there was real, imminent and
urgent threat and danger of continuing to decimate
the person and integrity of Tinubu by AIT by
continuing to air the "offensive" broadcast if the ex-
parte motion was not granted.
During yesterday's proceeding, Olanipekun sought to
move the interlocutory application but counsel to
AIT, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), objected the move
arguing that he had not responded to the application.
Ozekhome said he was only served the application
last Thursday and needed time to respond in the
interest of fair hearing.
He therefore asked for a short adjournment to file
the reply and the court granted his request.
Ozekhome, however, objected to the application, but
Justice Akinkugbe upheld the it and adjourned the
matter to March 20, for argument on the
interlocutory application.