AIT BEGS TINUBU FORAIRING 'LION OF BOURDILION'

DAAR Communications, owners of African Independent Television (AIT), yesterday, apologised to the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for airing a documentary ‘Lion of Bourdillion’ during the campaign for the 2015 Presidential election.

Tinubu had instituted a N150 billion suit before an Ikeja High Court against the company alleging that the documentary, which started airing on March 1, 2015, was libelous and aimed at tarnishing his image.

At yesterday’s proceedings before Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe, counsel to Dokpesi, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) informed the court that the warring parties had settled the matter out of court following an apology letter written by the defendant to Tinubu..

“My lord, we have come to court today to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Every war that is fought is always settled amicably on a roundtable. Both parties have expressed their desire to settle amicably based on the terms of settlement which the court has been furnished with. We reached the agreement to enable both parties to continue with the good relationship that they have always had. 

We have driven the devil away with a spiritual “Koboko”, Ozekhome told the court.

In his response, Tinubu’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) also informed the court of the willingness of the APC leader to settle out of court.

“I align myself with the submissions and sentiments of my learned friend. I can also confirm that the term of settlement which was drawn up on the 29th of January has been accepted by both parties,” Olanipekun said.

He added: “I also want to appreciate the court for her patience all through the duration of the suit. I also appreciate the claimant who magnanimously agreed to settle out of court.”

The terms of agreement include a retraction of the broadcast by AIT, an apology by AIT which should be aired three times, once daily on AIT and that the claimant and the defendant shall bear their respective costs in the suit.

In an apology letter by Daar Communications Plc and presented before the court, the company stated that it ‘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.’

“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,” it stated.