So Daar Communications, the owners of African Independent Television (AIT), can eat the humble pie. On February 5, the company made the headlines with the news that it had apologised to the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in connection with the controversial documentary ‘Lion of Bourdillon’ aired on AIT ahead of last year’s general elections.
Tinubu had filed a N150 billion suit, claiming that the documentary, which was first aired on March 1, 2015, was aimed at tarnishing his image. Daar Communications had responded by filing a counter claim of N200 billion as aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages against the claimant. The matter was referred to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in December last year.
When Mike Ozekhome (SAN), counsel to Daar Communications owner Chief Raymond Dokpesi, told the court that his client had opted for an out-of-court settlement, it reflected a forced humility.
More importantly, the terms of settlement were humiliating for Daar Communications. The terms of agreement adopted as judgement of the court include a retraction of the broadcast by AIT and an apology by AIT which should be aired three times, once daily on AIT.
The apology letter said: ”Daar Communications Plc, acknowledges that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is an outstanding political leader of unblemished character and integrity, as well as a leading public figure and opinion moulder who has made and continues to make immense, colossal and gargantuan contributions to the progress and development of the nation in general and Lagos State in particular.”
The letter continued: ”Daar Communication Plc admits that in airing the said documentary, it had no intention whatsoever to embarrass or diminish the high reputation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which it respects and attests to. Daar Communications Plc hereby makes a public and unequivocal retraction of the said documentary titled ‘Lion of Bourdilon’, which was broadcast on its television station, AIT.
Daar Communications Plc hereby tenders unreserved apology to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the broadcast of the documentary on its television station, AIT. Daar Communications Plc prays that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will live long to make more enormous contributions to the advancement of our nation, Nigeria, Lagos State and the world at large.”
This apology letter was an admission of professional misconduct. But more fundamentally, it was an admission of unprofessional behaviour. Daar Communications and AIT should hang their heads in shame.
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