The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has pledged continued partnership with the media to protect the independence of the judiciary.
Mohammed gave the assurance at the end of a two-day workshop organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day workshop with the theme: ”The Role of Judges in the Fight against Corruption” began on July 18.
NAN reports that panelists discussed: “The Judiciary and the Media, Effective Response to Media Threat and Judicial Independence”.
He said there was need to have a close relationship between the media and the judiciary to protect the independence of the judiciary.
He said that was why the NJI had always organised workshops and trainings for Judicial correspondents in the interest of the public and the nation.
The CJN said that there has always been partnership between the media and the judiciary and commended media reportage on JUSUN strike in 2015.
He, however, said it was unfortunate that some ”unscrupulous” persons use the media to victimise some judicial officers.
Mohammed said the workshop would improve the capacity of judicial officers and expressed optimism that the workshop would equally assist them perform their task efficiently.
The Chairman of PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said the workshop was not intended to indict the judiciary.
According to him, it is to empower and enable it take charge of the courts and totally improve confidences of judicial officers.
Similarly, Justice Patience Mills-Tetteh of the High Court, Ghana, decried situations where journalists determine cases before its conclusion by the court.
She said that press briefings were meant to assist the media in reporting the sensitive cases.
Ms. Yemisi Ipaye of Channels Television said there was need for cordial relationship between the bench, bar and the media, adding that it should more compatible than competitive.
Also, former Editor of the Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, urged the participants to focus on how relationships between them and the Guild of Editors could be cordial.
(NAN)
