The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has restored the broadcasting license of Channels television revoked in the wake of the brouhaha that trailed the reported resignation of President Musa Yar’Adua . This was contained in a statement issued by the commission on Friday. The move, it was learnt, was not unconnected with the outcry the closure generated, with civil rights and labor groups vowing to picket the NBC on Friday.

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The station was closed last Tuesday, and staff chased out by a gang of security operatives led by Information minister, John Odey.

The federal Government was irked by a news item purportedly gotten from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), which said Yar’Ardua would resign after his cabinet reshuffle.

Although the FG denied the harmless story through the President’s spokesman, Segun Adeniyi, it still went ahead to close down the station and herd its top editorial staff in jail, reenacting the inglorious days of military juntas.

Sequel to the closure, the NBC revoked the stations license for allegedly breaching Act no 38 1992, which borders on broadcasting news that threatens national security.

In a statement signed by NBC’s director-Gneral, Yomi Bolarinwa, following an apology by Channels TV the commission” without prejudice to the duties of security services to carry out their ongoing investigations to a logical conclusion hereby lifts the suspension order and directs Channels TV to put in place effect (sic) mechanisms to confirm news items and sources before broadcasting “

The fates of those thrown in jail were unknown at press time, but the NBC said it would ensure they are set free by the security goons of President Yar’Adua.