Davidson Iriekpen
14 May 2008
Lagos — The new Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdullahi Mustapha yesterday urged journalists covering proceedings at the courts in the country to report their stories accurately at all times, adding that the administration of justice can be effective without the press.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the Press Centre at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, Justice Mustapha said since the entire public cannot be in court at all times, and the press has the right on behalf of the public to perform its duty effectively for justice not be done but must be seen to have been done.
He noted that opening the Press Centre at the court became necessary because the constitution recognises the press as the fourth estate of the realm which is also constitutionally saddled with the responsibility to act as an effective check on the other arms of government including the judiciary.
"Freedom of information is one of the various provisions of chapter four of the constitution dealing with the entire body of the Fundamental Rights. And the constitution allows that cases be heard in open court so that there will be transparency in the court adjudication. The administration of justice cannot therefore be effective without the press."
He said though the Federal High Court has had its own fair share of criticism from the press, the criticisms have helped it to restrategise to cover the loopholes with a view to reducing malpractices to the barest minimum.
"This Press Centre is established to enable you continue the good works in the coverage of the Federal High Court. It is established in answer to your request which had been unattended to in the past. It is therefore hoped that it will provide a conducive work environment for judicial correspondents," Justice Mustapha said.
Earlier, the Chief Registrar of the court, Mr. Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel, said the centre was a demonstration of the court's confidence in the workability of the partnership towards disseminating vital information in the court's activities to the people.
He advised the press to take advantage of the robust relationship between it and the court to contribute its quota to the growth and development of the Federal High Court and the judiciary as a whole.
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