…Case adjourned to Dec. 9 as defendants yet to be served
The legal battle between the Islamic Research and Da’awa Foundation and northern-based television network Arewa24 has entered a new phase, as the case came up for mention yesterday at the Federal High Court, Kano; however, proceedings stalled due to failure to serve the defendants.
The Abuja-based NGO had on October 30 filed a suit against Arewa24 and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), accusing the station of repeatedly violating provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition) through the airing of programmes it described as “indecent, suggestive, and culturally offensive.”
In the suit, filed through its solicitors A.A. Hikima & Co., the Foundation cited two programmes: ‘Mata A Yau’ and ‘H-Hip Hop” – alleging they contain segments inconsistent with public morality, cultural norms, and religious values in northern Nigeria. It claimed that discussions on ‘Mata A Yau’ had, on multiple occasions, encouraged women to “take the laws into their own hands against their husbands” sparking backlash from clerics and local communities.
The group also accused the NBC of regulatory inaction, saying the Commission failed to apply sanctions despite what it described as repeated petitions and public outcry.
At yesterday’s court session, the matter was called for mention, but the judge noted that Arewa24 and the NBC had not yet been served with hearing notices. As a result, the claimant’s counsel requested additional time to comply with the service requirements.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to December 9, 2025, for a report of compliance and further mention.
The case continues to draw attention across the North, reigniting debates around cultural preservation, religious sensitivity, media freedoms, and rising public scrutiny of broadcast content.
