The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN Thursday tasked Judiciary Correspondents under the aegis of National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC) to continue to be factual and fair in their reportage.
Malami made the declaration while giving a keynote address at the NAJUC 2022 National Conference held in Abuja.
The conference is with the theme: 2023 General Elections; Judiciary and Sustainability of Nigeria’s Democracy.
Other speakers who delivered goodwill messages at the occassion were the NJI Administrator, Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, Chief Registrar, Court of Appeal, Mr Umar Gambari, FCT Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, Chief Justice, Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and the executive Secretary of the National Judicial Commission (NJC), Mr Gambo Saleh.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, the AGF further commended the media for creating awareness on policies and programmes of the current administration.
He said, “The factual and fair reportage of Justice ministry activities and court proceedings is highly commendable.
“As critical stakeholders, the media has helped in the sustainability of our democracy and has facilitated informed decisions via multifaceted approach.”
Malami then expressed President Buhari’s administration readiness for a free and fair election in 2023 election, urging the media to assist in deepening the process via adequate voters education.
In an opening remarks, Chairman of the conference, Mike Ozekhime, SAN described the conference as apt, saying judiciary Correspondent has key role to play in the pre and post election matters.
According to Ozekhome, as the 2023 election approaches, much is expected from the fourth estate of the realm in the area of accurate reportage of proceedings from the court.
“No doubt, Section 2 (85), Section 141 of the electoral Act are turbulent areas that has to do with timeliness as far as filing of cases in court is concern. It is hoped that the media is ready to demonstrate it’s dutifulness despite some of these challenges,” he said.
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, NAJUC’s Chairman, Mr Kayode Lawal, thanked all the stakeholders and scholars in the judiciary parlance for always identifying with the association in all it’s dealings.
“Head of courts have gained our trust over the years, knowing that with us, adequate coverage of court proceedings is guaranteed,” he said.
Lawal then reiterated the need for support by head of courts for the association to be able to carry out it’s duty without hinderances.
