A legal dispute involving Abuja-based media company ATAR Communications Nigeria Ltd and key indigenous broadcasting stakeholders in Northern Nigeria has been adjourned by the High Court of Taraba State sitting in Jalingo.
The suit, filed by AREWA24 Network Limited against the registered Trustees of the Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA) and other defendants, came up for hearing yesterday before Justice Nuhu Adi at Court-2 of the Jalingo Judicial Division.
At the centre of the proceedings was a Notice of Preliminary Objection challenging the competence of the suit. The application, brought pursuant to Order-11, Rule-1 of the Taraba State High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2026, seeks an order striking out or dismissing the case on grounds that it is legally incompetent.
Speaking to newsmen after the court session, counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister (Dr.) Ibrahim Effiong, said the matter had initially been slated for hearing on a motion for injunction involving the defendants, which he noted could have implications for the plaintiff’s interests.
Effiong explained that during proceedings, counsel to the respondents informed the court that they were not prepared to proceed and requested additional time to respond to the application, a request the court granted.
Counsel to the defendants, Barrister Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanci, also told the court that the matter was not yet ripe for hearing, citing delays associated with the court’s newly introduced electronic filing system and the late service of court processes.
Following submissions by both parties, Justice Adi adjourned the matter to June 4, 2026, for hearing on the preliminary objection.
