The Federal High Court has dismissed the suit filed by the Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA) against AREWA24, citing “lack of jurisdiction and lack of merit”, as seen on the certified true copy (CTC) of the judgment. The court, in a statement, affirmed that AREWA24 operates legally and it is under no obligation to obtain any additional license for its operations, having breached no law.
In its ruling, the court, according to the statement held that the plaintiff’s (NBMOA) case was “riddled with speculations and bare assertions without any concrete proof.” It further stated that the claims brought forward by the NBMOA, lacked credible evidence and legal basis.
On the issue of alleged monopoly, the court ruled that there was no proof presented to establish that AREWA24 holds a monopolistic position in the market. “The court does not rely on speculation, neither can it make the plaintiff’s case for it,” the ruling stated.
Regarding trademark infringement, the court found no evidence supporting the claim that AREWA24 illegally used the “Arewa Knot.” It confirmed that the AREWA24 logo is a distinct and legally registered trademark.
Says the Chief Executive Officer of AREWA24, Celestine Umeibe “This landmark judgment reaffirms AREWA24’s legal standing, its professional integrity, and its commitment to providing premium Northern Nigerian content to its viewers daily”.
