The Lagos State Council Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Adeleye Ajayi, has called on journalists to beam searchlights on corrupt practices in the country’s criminal justice institutions.
Ajayi made the call on Friday during a one-day media engagement to sensitize journalists on corruption in criminal justice institutions, including the police, judiciary, EFCC, ICPC, Ministry of Justice and Nigeria Correctional centres.
The programme was organised by the Lagos NUJ council in collaboration with the British Council Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme and funded by the European Union.
The NUJ leader urged journalists covering the criminal justice system to go beyond press statements issued by their spokespersons and dig deeper into the malaises in the fabrics of the system.
“At the end of this programme, I am optimistic that we will beam our searchlight more on criminal justice institutions like the Police, Correctional Services, Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, ICPC, EFCC and others.
“Successive governments in Nigeria have over the years made efforts to fight corruption and expressed commitment to reform the criminal justice system.
“Government have established anti-corruption agencies with mandates to independently investigate, prosecute and prevent corruption,” he said.
Ajayi urged journalists to ensure they enhance the civil society and public engagement in the fight against corruption and the criminal justice reform process.
“There is no doubt that corruption has caused a terrible drain on public resources and eroding citizens’ trust and confidence in the system.
“I must say that we are happy to partner with the British Council’s initiative on Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme on the role of journalists on criminal justice and anti-corruption reform,’ he said.
RolaC Coordinator in Lagos State, Mrs Ajibola Ijimakinwa, urged journalists to always go extra mile to dig out facts on any issue before making it public.
She pointed out that RoLAC was working towards enhancing good governance and strengthen rule of law in Nigeria, with a view to curb corruption.
Ijimakinwa said the meeting was to x-ray potential for journalists to publish more reports on innovations, issues and gaps pertaining to the criminal justice system in Nigeria.
She said they were also to look into aspects of services delivered by criminal justice institutions plagued by corruption and how journalists can use their stories to highlight them.
The former chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu branch, Mr Bayo Akinlade, said journalists, as the fourth estate of the realm, should always set agenda for those in authorities.
Akinlade said journalists have the power to change the societal ills, advising them against some words in their stories that could be libelous.
Ms Chibogu Obinna, a Consultant with RolaC, said journalists needed to be encouraged to do more, stressing that Nigerian journalists were poorly paid and have no good welfare by their media organisations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 30 participating journalists, including editors, were drawn from mainstream media organisations covering judiciary and security.
Participants were put to task as they x-rayed key issues confronting journalists in achieving professionalism and proffer solutions.
Issues identified included poor salary/welfare, protection, fund to investigate cases, insurance, training, access to information, media owners/editors undue influence, amongst others.
