Lagos CJ charges journalists on fair poll reportage

Eminent lawyers absolve judiciary of post-election crisis

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, has charged journalists to ensure fair and unbiased coverage not to heat up the polity.

The CJ, represented by Justice Josephine Oyefeso, said this yesterday during the 2018 yearly lecture of the Ikeja Branch of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC) with the theme: “The Role of Judiciary, Media in the 2019 Elections.”Oke, who stated that reporting of events must be the guiding principle of the media, said: “In the last election, the media played a vital role as a watchdog in the process of electioneering.

“The need for responsible reporting to avoid fake news cannot be over-emphasised. We must take the good and jettison the bad.“When a case is under judgment, the media must ensure that it does not interfere with the fair trial obligation of the court.”

Meanwhile, former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), in his lecture, said though Nigerian laws had provided sufficiently for press freedom, there is need for journalists to be adequately remunerated.

Also, Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, in his speech, represented by his Senior Special Adviser (SSA), Mr. Idowu Akinwunmi, urged journalists to be unbiased in their reportage of national issues.

In his welcome address, Chairman of NAJUC, Mr. Akinwale Akintunde, represented by his deputy, Mr. Gbenga Adewoye, said the theme of the lecture was very apt because of the importance of elections in the country. Besides, Pastor Dele Adeshina said: “We are a nation in deceit. If the judiciary had not played a dominant role in 2015 elections, we would have forgotten this democracy. Dr. Muiz Banire said the press should lead the country where it should go. They should subject government to microscopic criticism.