By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
The Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in conjunction with the British Council Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) at the weekend organised a sensitisation programme where journalists were tasked on the need to publish more reports on issues pertaining to the criminal justice system in Nigeria.
The journalists which include editors and reporters drawn from the Crime and Judiciary beats and executive members of the Council brainstormed on how the corrupt practices in the criminal justice institutions, which include the police, judiciary, EFCC, ICPC, Ministry of Justice and Nigeria Correctional centres could be further reported.
The participants, which include the General Manager RayPower FM, Mrs. Yewande Iwoha, Bureau Chief of New Nigerian Newspaper Lagos Office, Raymond Tedunjaye, Crime Editor New Telegraph Newspaper, Juliana Francis, Assistant News Editor Sun Newspaper, Oji Christopher amongst others, identified poor salaries/welfare, lack of protection/ fund to investigate cases, insurance, training, access to information, media owners/Editors undue influence amongst others as factors inhibiting efficiency of journalists.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Mr Adeleye Ajayi called on journalists covering criminal justice institutions to beam their search lights on the corruptions going on in them.
Ajayi said that the role of journalists in criminal justice system cannot be over emphasised, urging them to go beyond press statements issued by public relations officers of the organisations on any issues, with a view to get better stories.
“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 had over the years made efforts to fight corruption and expressed commitment to reform the criminal justice system.
“Governments 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 can journalists use their stories to highlight them.
The former chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu branch, Mr Bayo Akinlade said journalists as the fourth estate of the realms should always set agenda for those in authorities.
Akinlade said journalists have the power to change the sociatal ills, advising them against some words in their stories that could be libelous.
Ms Chibogu Obinna, a consultant with RolaC said journalists need to be encouraged to do more, stressing that Nigeria journalists were poorly paid and have no good welfare by their media organisations.
reports that about 30 journalists, including editors drawn from main stream media organisations covering judiciary and security.
Participants were put to task as they x-ray key issues confronting journalists in achieving professionalism and proffer identified solutions.
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.
