Two recent incidents whereby journalists were prevented from covering court proceedings are not only curious, but they also amount to a violation of the constitutional rights of press freedom, in the absence
of any reason to warrant a derogation of that right.
Similarly, the Federal High Court, Ilorin Judicial Division, prevented journalists from entering the court premises to cover the trial of the immediate past governor of Kwara State, Dr. AbdulFatah Ahmed, who was brought to the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged N10 billion financial mismanagement while in office. Curiously, journalists were denied access to the court premises by the police and court Registrar on “order from above”.
Not only did the subject jurists act inappropriately, but their conduct also raised questions as to whether they had a personal interest in the matter. As Oliver Wendell Holmes advised in Cowley v.
Can media practitioners effectively exercise their constitutional responsibilities and rights with the fetters being placed on them by the judiciary? As the fourth estate of the realm, the press will not bow to any harassment and intimidation of journalists by any authority in the lawful discharge of their duties. Ironically, the judiciary which ought to be the foremost promoter of press freedom being the embodiment of the rule of law is clamping down on the same unlawfully.
Chairmen of the Labour Party in the 19 Northern States have declared their support for the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, warning against undue attacks on him. Gatwick Airport, London, has finally announced the commencement of flights by Nigeria’s Air Peace.Air Peace had commenced a direct Lagos-London flight to London Gatwick on March 30, 2024, amid fanfare. But the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom
Abdulfatah Ahmed Adeola Olatubosun Chijoke Ezekirian
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