AGF Fagbemi Urges Accountable Media Forward Of 2027 Elections, Warns In opposition to Divisive Reporting
The Legal professional-Normal of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has recommended the position of the media in deepening democracy within the nation, noting that the media by way of their reportage shapes political behaviours in addition to expectations in any election.
To this finish, he appealed to journalists within the nation to shun political actors with divisive tendencies, and make sure the unity and growth of the nation.
The AGF spoke on Thursday in Abuja, through the annual convention of the Nationwide Affiliation of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), Abuja.
“The actions in direction of the 2027 normal elections have commenced and the media have their position to play. As the primary bridge between INEC, political actors, and 90+ million potential voters, the press shapes expectations, belief, and behavior earlier than ballots are solid and after outcomes are declared.
“It’s on this word that I urge the media to not give room to political actors making an attempt to tear the material of this nation. The media should keep in mind we have to have our nation first earlier than we are able to discuss elections. That’s the reason as stakeholders, the media should not be used as a device of division. These fanning the ember of hatred should be stopped”, the minister stated.
Talking additional, Fagbemi, who was represented by the Particular Assistant, on Legislative Drafting, Workplace of the AGF, Hussein Oloyede, took a swipe on these he described as “political desperadoes”, warning that they have to be taught to behave responsibly and throughout the legal guidelines of the land.
“Those that have misplaced their sense of patriotism ought to know that they might not be allowed to set the nation on hearth. Let me state with respect, related authorities businesses is not going to be stopped from doing their work if anybody runs foul of the legislation.
“The federal government is not going to succumb to blackmail irrespective of whose ox is gored. Violence, hate speech or some other felony tendencies is not going to be tolerated in any kind”, he stated.
He known as on all Nigerians to indicate a way of patriotism and defend the unity of the nation, because the elections draw nearer, including that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration sees the media as companions, therefore, its doing all the pieces to make sure journalists do their job with out intimidation or any type of threats.
Additionally talking, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, cautioned journalists, particularly judiciary correspondents in opposition to misrepresentation of courtroom proceedings and judgments, warning that sensational reporting might erode public confidence within the justice system and weaken democratic establishments.
In her keynote handle, Kekere-Ekun underscored the important position of the media in shaping public understanding of judicial processes, noting that the judiciary’s affect extends past courtroom selections to how such rulings are communicated to society.
“In each constitutional democracy, the energy of establishments is measured not solely by the choices they make, however by the diploma to which these selections are understood, trusted, and accepted by society,” she acknowledged.
The CJN who was represented by the Administrator of the Nationwide Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Babatunde Adejumo, emphasised that judiciary correspondents function an important bridge between the Bench and the general public, describing their position as “democratic in character” and indispensable to sustaining belief within the administration of justice.
The CJN warned that wrong, incomplete, or sensational reporting of courtroom proceedings might undermine the Rule of Legislation, stressing that even probably the most well-reasoned judgments obtain their function solely when correctly understood by the general public.
“Misinterpretation or sensationalism can unintentionally erode confidence within the judiciary, whereas correct and balanced reporting strengthens institutional credibility,” she stated.
Acknowledging the complexities of authorized reporting, Kekere-Ekun famous that courtroom proceedings are sometimes technical and require cautious interpretation, at the same time as journalists function underneath tight deadlines and editorial pressures.
She, nonetheless, charged media practitioners to prioritize accuracy, context, and equity of their studies, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 normal elections.
In accordance with her, election-related disputes will take a look at the resilience of democratic establishments, inserting a twin duty on the judiciary to ship neutral selections and on the media to speak such outcomes responsibly.
“At such moments, restraint, professionalism, and constancy to reality grow to be nationwide imperatives. Misrepresentation can inflame tensions, whereas principled reporting promotes understanding and peaceable democratic processes,” she added.
The CJN additionally highlighted the judiciary’s obligation to boost transparency by way of clearer communication and well timed dissemination of non-confidential data, with out compromising judicial independence.
She described the convention as a platform for strengthening collaboration between the Bench and the media, noting that steady engagement {and professional} growth are important to counter misinformation and deepen public belief.
Kekere-Ekun recommended NAJUC for its dedication to capability constructing and knowledgeable reportage of judicial actions, formally declaring the convention open and expressing optimism that its deliberations would additional strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Earlier in his welcome handle, the chairman of the Nationwide Affiliation of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), Abuja chapter, Mr Kayode Lawal, known as for reforms of the judiciary to safeguard democracy forward of the 2027 normal elections.
Whereas highlighting issues over the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system, Lawal warned that conflicting courtroom orders—notably in politically delicate instances—pose a severe threat to nationwide stability.
He cited a latest dispute involving parallel rulings by the Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja and the Oyo State Excessive Court docket over the 2025 conference of the Peoples Democratic Get together (PDP) as a troubling instance of judicial inconsistency. In accordance with him, such developments danger undermining public confidence and will set off political unrest.
“The scenario is able to inflicting chaos and setting the political stage ablaze,” he stated, describing the development as “worrisome and pathetic.”
The convention, themed “The Position of Judiciary in Deepening Democracy in Nigeria,” goals to foster dialogue between authorized practitioners and the media whereas addressing systemic challenges within the judiciary.
Lawal additionally raised alarm over what he described as rising public notion that justice in Nigeria is compromised. Referencing remarks made at a latest Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) convention, he famous issues that the rule of legislation is eroding and that judicial processes are being manipulated by highly effective pursuits.
He urged the judiciary to exhibit better independence, suggesting the creation of an autonomous funding mechanism to scale back reliance on the chief arm of presidency.
Lawal additionally known as on the NBA to strengthen disciplinary measures in opposition to authorized practitioners concerned in unethical conduct, together with facilitating conflicting courtroom orders including that, “Because the 2027 elections method, the judiciary should rise to the problem and reaffirm its place because the final hope of the widespread man”.
He warned in opposition to a rising tradition the place politicians allegedly dismiss electoral malpractice by urging aggrieved events to hunt redress in courts, stressing that such attitudes might additional erode belief in democratic establishments.
The NAJUC chairman additionally recommended the Nationwide Judicial Council (NUJ) and different supporters for his or her contributions to the convention, whereas expressing gratitude to colleagues for his or her help throughout his tenure.
Alex Enumah
Times Nigeria