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Tag: DAAR Communications

  • Don Pedro Obaseki’s ordeal

    Don Pedro Obaseki’s ordeal

    In a disturbing incident, the former Managing Director of Daar Communications and prominent Nollywood filmmaker, Dr Don Pedro Obaseki, was attacked on December 28, 2025 while playing football at Uwa Primary School in Benin City.

    A viral video showed assailants stripping him naked, beating him, and dragging him through the streets to the palace of the Oba of Benin over alleged disrespectful comments made during a public event in London. His attackers labelled him an ‘Oghionba’ (enemy of the Oba).

    Reports said he was later taken to Oba Market Police Station, and released after about five hours in detention.

    In a statement he issued after he was released, he narrated his ordeal: “The attackers, some of whom were armed and brandishing guns, forcibly kidnapped me. The individuals who led this attack identified themselves as Kapuepue Adun, Osayande Obakhavbaye, Osamede Nomoless Eriyo and Osamiefan (also known as ‘Sales Guy’).

     “I was severely beaten up, dragged along the streets and stripped naked. I was dragged along Igbesanmwan Road, taken to the front of Holy Aruosa Church and publicly paraded in my nakedness.

    “From there, I was further dragged around Ring Road and forcibly taken to the Oba’s Palace. The public beating, stripping and humiliation occurred over a distance of approximately five kilometres.”

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    Amnesty International Nigeria, in a statement, described the assault and public humiliation of Obaseki as “barbaric and unlawful,” saying it showed “complete disdain for due process.” It added that the police “must investigate the incident and ensure that all those suspected of involvement in this crime are brought to justice.”

    The human rights organisation also said what happened to Obaseki “is unacceptable in a free society. It is also prohibited under international human rights law and standards aimed at safeguarding human dignity and protecting people from violence.”

    Obaseki was reported saying he would pursue justice through legal means, adding that his lawyers were already putting a petition together. This is the right thing to do.

    Curiously, in response, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer Eno Ikoedem was quoted as saying the situation had been brought under control, noting that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had met with the parties involved.

    It is unclear if he meant the issue had been settled. Meeting with the concerned parties cannot be the end of the matter; the police have a duty to find the attackers and bring them to justice.

  • Ex-Daar Communications boss petitions IGP over alleged abduction, assault in Benin

    Ex-Daar Communications boss petitions IGP over alleged abduction, assault in Benin

    A former Managing Director of Daar Communications, Dr Pedro Obaseki, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over what he described as his unlawful abduction, brutal assault, public humiliation and unlawful detention in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Obaseki, who is a cousin of former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, alleged that he was beaten, stripped naked and paraded through the streets of Benin City by suspected thugs who branded him an Oghionba, meaning an enemy of the Oba.

    In the petition addressed to the IGP, Obaseki stated that the incident occurred at about 11:30am last Sunday while he was playing football at Uwa Primary School, Igbesanmwan Street, when a group of men, some of them armed, attacked and forcibly abducted him.

    He identified the alleged leaders of the group as Kapuepue Adun, Osayande Obakhavbaye, Osamede Nomoless Eriyo and Osamiefan, also known as Sales Guy.

    The former Daar Communications boss further claimed that his abductors repeatedly told him they were acting on the instructions of the Oba’s Palace.

    According to him, he was beaten, stripped naked, dragged publicly across major roads in Benin City, including in front of Holy Aruosa Church, paraded for about five kilometres and forcibly taken to the Oba’s Palace, where the alleged abuse continued.

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    “Thereafter, I was transported to the Oba Market Police Station, where I was detained for about five hours. During this period, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, informed me that my release was subject to clearance from the Oba.”

    He said the actions constituted grave violations of his constitutional rights under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Police Act and professional standards and Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights instruments.

    Among the demands he made were an independent investigation into the conduct of all persons involved, determination of the role of law enforcement officers and ppropriate disciplinary, criminal, and civil actions where violations were established.

  • Overbearing regulator?

    •NBC law is product of military rule; it needs a review

    It required the intervention of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to restore the licence of DAAR Communications Plc, owners of African Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM, which the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) suspended on June 6.  The privately owned broadcasting organisation had gone to court to challenge the suspension of its licence. The court ordered both parties to maintain the status quo as at May 30, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit before it.

    This conflict raises questions about the powers of the NBC, and the exercise of such powers, particularly whether the commission was overbearing by suspending the media organisation’s licence. The agency said the media group operated “as if it is beyond the regulatory direction of the commission. They don’t pay their licence fees as and when due.”

    Other allegations: “Its broadcast is patently partisan and one-sided and deliberately inciting and heating the polity.” The agency also accused AIT/Raypower of using “divisive comments accredited to the segment of “Kakaaki”, tagged, “Kakaaki Social”, where inciting comments like, “Nigeria is cursed, we declare independent state of Niger Delta”, “Nigeria irritates me”, “this country is gradually Islamising” and other similar slogans are used without editorial control in breach of the broadcast code.” The regulator claimed that DAAR Communications had refused to heed its “letters of warning.”

    Founder of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, defended his organisation, saying, “Every broadcast, which appears to them to offer a dissenting perspective to the position of government, is reprehended as a threat to national interest. Every reference and reportage from various sections of the country concerning injustice, inequality and inequity is reprehended as a threat to national security.”

    According to Dokpesi, his organisation is guided by Section 22 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which gives it the responsibility to hold government, public officers and people in power accountable to the public.

    By seeking the court’s intervention, DAAR Communications made a strong point about democratic standards and due process, which the NBC should learn from. The agency should have approached the judiciary to resolve the issues. That is the implication of a democratic environment, with its emphasis on freedoms, including broadcast rights of television and radio stations and public rights to access news and information.

    Indeed, the regulator cannot be accuser and judge in its own case. This is why it should have recognised the judiciary’s role as arbiter, and should have gone to court for mediation. The agency must avoid giving the impression that DAAR Communications is the target of a witch-hunt on account of its founder’s political leaning.

    It is significant that Dokpesi, who submitted a petition to the National Assembly, called for an urgent holistic review of the NBC law. For instance, he proposed an amendment to ensure that the appointments of the agency’s directors and director-general were subjected to the confirmation of the National Assembly to avoid a situation where the positions were occupied by people loyal to the ruling party.

    It is noteworthy that the extant laws came into effect in 1992, which makes them products of the military era. Times have changed, and the laws need to reflect the country’s democratic character.

    In the United States of America, which is regarded as a bastion of democracy, for instance, “The First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech… protects programming that stereotypes or may otherwise offend people with regard to their religion, race, national background, gender, or other characteristics. It also protects broadcasts that criticise or ridicule established customs and institutions, including the government and its officials.” Also, the US regulator “recognises that, under our Constitution, people must be free to say things that the majority may abhor, not only what most people may find tolerable or congenial.”

    The NBC must respect democratic freedoms, and its role must be informed by democratic standards. Anything short of that is unacceptable.

  • NBC fines DAAR Communications N500,000 for violation of broadcasting code

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has fined DAAR Communications (owner of AIT/Raypower) N500,000 for alleged persistent  violation of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    NBC’s Head of Public Affair, Mrs Maimuna Jimada, said yesterday in Abuja that comments made on Raypower’s programme `Political Platform’ were against the broadcasting code.

    She labelled the comments by anchors of the Political Platform as provocative, inflammatory and divisive.

    She said that the Commission on May 2, 2017, Aug. 15, 2017 and February 2018, held meetings with staff of DAAR Communications to draw attention to alleged unprofessional handling of the programme.

    She stated that the Commission had charged the team handling the programme to be fair, and balance their reportage.

    According to her, during the February 7 meeting, the Commission stressed the need to comply with the broadcasting code to avoid sanctions.

    Jimada said, “The Political Platform episode on July 24, was marked by sensational and heated expression of opinion by its anchors, who went on to make unproven and inciting allegations.

    “For avoidance of doubt, the Director-General drew the attention of DAAR Communications to the following provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code: (1) Section 1.9.3:

    “A presenter/anchor shall not express his or her personal opinion in a programme.”

    “Also Section 5.2.7:”A broadcaster shall, in using political material for news, avoid taking inflammatory and divisive matter in its provocative form and Section 5.2.5 stated that political broadcasts shall be in decent language,” she said.

    Jimada reiterated that broadcasting stations should ensure that anchors of their programmes were properly informed and trained on the ethics of the profession as well as the provisions of the broadcasting code.

     

     

  • Dokpesi pledges fairness for presidential aspirants, if elected national chairman

    Dokpesi pledges fairness for presidential aspirants, if elected national chairman

    Founder of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, says his leadership will provide level-playing ground for all Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) presidential aspirants, if elected national chairman of the party.

    Dokpesi made the pledge while addressing zonal and state executive committee members and other members of the PDP during his campaign visit to Kano state on Saturday.

    He said that he was aware that the goal of PDP was to win presidency in 2019, and assured that as national chairman of the party, he would not allow manipulation of the process.

    “I am very conscious of the fact that our illustrious sons from Kano are looking forward to contesting for the presidency in the 2019 elections.

    “First of all, we must have a party and the first step is to create a National Working Committee that I can work along with to ensure that there is justice, fairness and equity.

    “I want to pledge firmly that there shall be a level-playing ground for all the presidential aspirants from the 19 northern states willing to vie for the office of the president.

    “We shall not manipulate any regulation. We will be transparent, and whoever God has chosen may He allow him to lead us to victory in 2019.

    “So, our choice of presidential candidate in 2019 will not be on the basis of wealth or accumulated money, but the human person that he is.

    “I want to plead with you that it is the same criteria that we will use for the election of the chairman, we must use for the election of the president,” he said.

    Dokpesi said his visit to Kano was to remind them of his plea for their support for his aspiration, for the state’s executive of the party and delegates to the Dec. 9 national convention to vote for him.

    He urged the delegates to vote on merit, not on sentiment.

    “I want to appeal to you to look at and chose anyone who you believe is ready to sacrifice for the party.

    “Vote for anyone you know has been consistent with this party when it was raining and when we needed umbrella over our head.

    “I want you to look at all the candidates and ask yourselves who among these candidates has been a bridge-builder and helped to reunite Nigeria. I am interested in Nigeria unity,” Dokpesi said.

    He advised PDP members not to allow themselves to be used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any PDP member to destroy the party, especially those planning to hold parallel convention.

    In his reaction, Mr Jinjiri Dutse, Zonal Auditor, who represented the National Deputy Chairman (North-West), said that the zone was preparing for the December convention.

    He expressed Kano state’s support for Dokpesi, adding that the state would also canvas for votes from other states
    in the Zone for Dokpesi.

    Sen. Baraka Sani, who is vying for National Women Leader, said that Dokpesi had shown verifiable support to the party in many ways, at different times.

    “This is what is expected from leaders. Tell us what we can verify, not to tell us something in the air. Let us see it, something we can touch or feel.”

    NAN

  • PDP chairman aspirants to sign peace accord – Dokpesi

    PDP chairman aspirants to sign peace accord – Dokpesi

    Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the one of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) National Chairmanship aspirants, has said that all the eight chairmanship aspirants would sign a peace accord as part of their commitment toward successful convention.

    Dokpesi, the founder of Daar Communications, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen after the PDP Governors Forum met with all aspirants in Enugu, which ended at early hour of Monday.

    Dokpesi disclosed that all the aspirants had agreed to sign the peace accord at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by 4 p.m.

    He described the move as part of efforts by the aspirants to ensure that the party comes out of the convention  stronger and united.

    “With that accord being signed we are going to look forward to a very peaceful and harmonious convention.”

    Asked if the issue of zoning came up at the meeting of the forum with the aspirants, Dokpesi said the party was explicit enough on the issue of zoning.

    He said that while the party’s presidential ticket was zoned to the North, the position of chairman’s was zone to the South, without specific reference to  states or geopolitical region.

    He said that the candidates had agreed to work together

    “After the zoning principle, all the aspirants have agreed to work together to come up with a common position. Anybody can contest.

    “If the party in its wisdom and the aspirants agreed within themselves and notify the party early enough that would be fine.”

    Also asked if the issue of a consensus  candidate was deliberated at the meeting Dokpesi said “no, but that did not mean there were no discussion among the aspirants.

    “Today on the way forward, a few of the aspirants met in the morning and in the afternoon and discussed which solution can be adopted.”

    Dokpesi added that following the meeting  he would go ahead with his campaign and consultation to fulfill his ambition.

    The Governor of Ekiti and Chairman of the Forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose, said that the party national convention, schedule for Dec. 9, would be a world class  that other political parties would emulate.

    Fayose said that the party had work hard and it has all it takes to win the Saturday Anambra Governorship election.

    “We are using this opportunity to demand that the election should be credible. It should not only be credible but seen to be credible.

    “We want to believe that Nigeria is of age to organise election that is acceptable at home and internationally, on Nov. 18 in Anambra,” Fayose added

    In attendance were the Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, all the PDP governors, except Ebonyi represented by his deputy.

    Other aspirants at the meeting were Chief Bode George, Gbenga Daniel, Prince Uche Secondus, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Jimi Agbaje, Taoheed Adedoja and Rashid Ladoja.

    Also in attendance were Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy President of the Senate; Gabriel Susuwan, former Benue Governor, Adolphus Nwabara and Sule Lamido.

    NAN

  • No. 1 female traffic warden bags her 10th award in Lagos

    No. 1 female traffic warden bags her 10th award in Lagos

    A police traffic warden attached to Sabo Police Division in Lagos,  Insp. Josephine Ogene, was on Thursday honoured by the DAAR Communications for her outstanding performance in traffic management.

    Mr Ambrose Shomide, the Managing Director, Radio Services, Daar Communications, the owners of Raypower, AIT and Faaji FM station, presented the award to her while controlling traffic at St. Agnes Junction, Sabo-Yaba Road, Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that for the about 180 seconds while the award ceremony lasted, motorists and members of the public watched with admiration.

    Shomide said the award was part of the organisation’s Corporate Social Responsibility to honour people, who had distinguished themselves in their jobs or chosen careers.

    He said that the organisation received many calls, requesting for an award for Ogene as the number one traffic warden in the state.

    “While we were decorating her, motorists and others who had seen her performance,  were singing her praises as number one traffic warden.

    “That shows that our choice of her for the award was not wrong; people testified that anytime she is on duty, no matter the traffic situation, she clears it within a short time,” Shomide said.

    In her response, Ogene, who had put in more than 20 years on the job, told newsmen that she enjoyed controlling traffic and the appreciation she received from people passing or motorists.

    “I feel so happy doing this job. It gives me more joy when people appreciate me on duty. I have got nine awards before now. This Daar Communications one makes it the 10th award.

    “A day I will never forget happened about two weeks ago when a bullion van hit me while controlling traffic,” she said.

    “I was posted to Sabo Division since 2011 and I am grateful to God and the people for appreciating my work.”

    Mr Emeka Udo, a commercial bus driver at the event, told NAN:“Ogene’s performance is outstanding, I am not surprised that she received the award.

    “We call her `Iron Mama’ whenever she is on duty, no traffic around here. She knows the job and she does it smiling.”

  • Sterling Bank, DAAR Communications sign pact

    Sterling Bank Plc and media broadcast corporation, DAAR Communication Plc, owners of Ray Power FM and AIT Television, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at keeping Nigeria clean and safe through mass awareness campaigns on environmental sustainability.

    The objective of the pact is the amplification of Sterling Environment Makeover (STEM) message on sanitation through the Ray Power FM and AIT Television networks to influence uptake of sustainable living actions among Nigerians. STEM is Sterling Bank’s corporate social responsibility initiative which promotes practices that protect the environment for the benefit of humanity.

    Announcing the partnership, Chief Marketing Officer, Sterling Bank, Mr. Henry Bassey said the bank was delighted to have DAAR Communication Plc throw its weight behind STEM as a media partner. He disclosed that leading corporations have also joined the programme as partners elevating it into a movement that will make Nigerians more conscious and committed to protecting the environment.

    “Sterling Bank and DAAR Communication have come together because we share a common passion for the environment – to keep it clean, safe and preserved for the future generation. Through the Sterling Environmental Makeover programme, we hope to make a positive impact on our local communities across Nigeria using the extensive national and regional network of Raypower and AIT to influence sustainable living actions which reduces dirt and improves hygiene. DAAR Communication has partnered with us to enlighten Nigerians on the importance of sanitation and how its absence fouls the environment exposing thousands of children and adults to disease,” Bassey informs.

    He added that, the new improved STEM has a lot of exciting features which include a pre awareness campaign that will showcase choreographed dancers, cleaning strategic locations in Lagos while dancing to the special theme song produced by OlamideBadoo, who is Sterling Bank’s environmental Makeover ambassador. People who spot this dancers with selfies or pictures, stand the chance to win 50 free make-over vouchers from the world’s leading cosmetics manufacturers to be redeemed at the event.

  • Alleged N2.1b fraud: Dokpesi rearraigned before new judge

    Alleged N2.1b fraud: Dokpesi rearraigned before new judge

    The Federal Government Wednesday re-arraigned the founder, African Independent Television (AIT), Raymond Dokpesi and his company – Daar Investment and Holdings Limited before a new judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Dokpesi and his company were arraigned on December 9 last year before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the same court, on a six count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust to the tune of N2.1 billion.

    They were said to have received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, between October 2014 and March 2015, which was used for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential media campaign, an offence in breach of provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the EFCC Establishment Act.

    One of the counts reads: “That you Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited between October 2014 and March 19, 2015 in Abuja, conducted procurement fraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt act, to wit: receipt of payment into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc of public funds in thesum of N2,120,000,000 from the account of the office of National Security Adviser (NSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presidential election campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58 (6) & (7) of the same Act”.

    Dokpesi, who answered to the charge for himself and his company, said they were both not guilty to the charge.

    Shortly after the arraignment, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) who led four other Senior Advocates and a retinue of lawyers for the defence, prayed the court to allow his client remain on the bail earlier granted him by Justice Kolawole.

    New trial judge, Justice James Tsoho agreed to Olanipekun’s request that the defendants remain on the bail earlier granted them.

    He adjourned to March 2 for the commencement of trial.

  • FG investigating Dokpesi over fresh allegation – Jacobs

    FG investigating Dokpesi over fresh allegation – Jacobs

    The Federal Government is investigating businessman, Raymond Dokpesi in relation to allegation of his involvement in another fraud involving about N8billion, government’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told a Federal High Court in Abuja Thursday.

    Jacobs said the Federal Government is about rounding off investigations into a fresh allegations of N8.4billion he collected from the Goodluck Jonathan administration for airing the FIFA  U17 championship which Nigeria hosted  in Jan 27, 2012.

    He stated that even though the airing right was granted DAAR communication by FIFA and without the Federal Government as a party to the contract, Dokpesi allegedly collected N8b from the Nigerian government for his execution of the contract.

    Jacobs made the disclosure while arguing the Fed Govt’s counter-affidavit against Dokpesi’s bail application.

    Dokpesi was arraigned with his company, Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited on Wednesday on a 6-count charge. He was accused of unlawfully receiving N2.1billion from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

    He pleaded not guilty and applied for bail. Parties argued the bail application and the prosecution’s counter affidavit yesterday.

    Jacobs, while urging the court to reject Dokpesi’s application, argued that a bail to Dokpesi will prejudice investigation into the N8b deal.