Northern Broadcast Media Owners Disown ‘Impostors’, Challenges Arewa24 Suit

The Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA) has distanced itself from individuals it describes as “unauthorised impostors” and reaffirmed its legal battle against AREWA24 TV Channel, intensifying a dispute over broadcasting rights, cultural representation, and regulatory compliance in Northern Nigeria.

AREWA24 filed a ₦10 billon defamation suit against Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, Atar Communications Nigeria Limited (operators of Liberty TV and Radio) and NBMOA, following a series of what they claimed was a false, damaging and unsubstantiated allegations against the company.

The suit, filed at the state High Court, Jalingo, Taraba State, seeks redress for reputational damage and financial losses arising from statements allegedly issued by NBMOA and Tijjani Ramalan that AREWA24 asserts are misleading and injurious to its brand and operations.

NBMOA’s Board of Trustees (BoT) said its position on protecting licensed indigenous broadcasters remains “unchanged,” insisting it is a duly registered and transparent body operating under Nigerian law.

The association said it had engaged multiple government and regulatory institutions — including the Presidency, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and anti-corruption agencies — and had also taken legal action to address its grievances.

At the heart of the dispute are allegations by the association that foreign interests, working with local collaborators, are exploiting Northern Nigerian identity through the use of “Arewa” and “Hausa” branding.

The group maintained that its advocacy is aimed at safeguarding cultural and religious values, as well as ensuring fair treatment for local broadcasters.

The association used the statement to reject claims by two individuals — Ambassador Yusuf Mamman, of JKD TV and Hamada Radio FM, and Alhaji Abdullahi Yelwa of the Arewa Broadcast Media Owners and Practitioners Forum (ABMPF) — who were referenced in a recent Arewa24 statement.

NBMOA said neither Mamman nor Yelwa is a member, trustee, or representative of the association, stressing that they were never authorised to speak on its behalf. “Their statements carry no authority and do not represent our views or interests”, the BoT said, urging the public and relevant institutions to disregard them.

While disputing several claims made by AREWA24 TV Channel, NBMOA also raised concerns about the safety of its officials, particularly its BoT chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan. The association warned that any threats or acts of intimidation linked to the dispute would be reported to the relevant law enforcement agencies and addressed through legal means.

The association called on the federal government and key regulators — including the NBC and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) — to ensure a level playing field for all broadcasters and to take seriously the concerns of indigenous media operators.