NBC suspends Human Rights Radio over ‘Ordinary President’s’ unethical conduct

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended the licence of Abuja-based Human Rights Radio 101.1FM owned by Ahmed Isah, popularly known as Ordinary President. The radio station’s suspension will last a month starting from May 31, 2021.

According to a statement by the commission, the Brekete Family program host violated provisions in section 15.5.2 of the broadcasting code.

The commission has, therefore, in line with the sanction provisions in 15.5.2 of the Broadcasting Code, ordered the suspension of the licence of the broadcaster until the broadcaster commits to ethical and professional broadcasting. The suspension order is effective Monday May 31, 2021 at 12am.

NBC

NBC’s action comes after two controversial video clips of Isah made the rounds across social media. The first shows the Ordinary President slapping a woman who had set her niece on fire for allegedly being a witch. The little girl suffered scalp burns and Isah resorted to hitting the woman while explaining her actions in an interview.

A woman poured kerosine on a young girl and light fire on her head and you expect The Ordinary President to behave professionally & rationally?

We need him to take Fearless Energy Drink then interview Desmond Elliot & Uduak so their slaps can be harder!

pic.twitter.com/pkWYmSV4dk

— Elder Seun (@iamseunalaofin) May 18, 2021

In a more recent video clip, Isah is again seen slapping a young man he accused of writing down names for a registration exercise without any authorisation.

This drew criticism from several Nigerians who have labelled the radio host’s actions an assault on the two “victims” as well as a violation of journalism ethics.

Ironically, Isah’s actions in these videos betray his professional bio as a Nigerian human rights activist. The journalist and on-air personality (OAP) is well-known in Northern Nigeria for his commitment to the rights of the less privileged in the community.

He is said to have financially empowered many victims of human rights abuses through his Brekete family radio show.

However, Isah has now apologised for his unwarranted conduct and will be given an opportunity to defend himself, according to the NBC. His Human Rights radio station would also be required to pay a sanction fee at the end of the suspension as stipulated in Section 15.5.1 of the NBC code.