Aftermath EndSARS Protest: NAJUC Begs CJN, Courts’ Head For Press Centres, Galleries

Aftermath EndSARS Protest: NAJUC Begs CJN, Courts’ Head For Press Centres, Galleries

Following the burning of Lagos division Appeal Court, Lagos High Court and Magistrate Courts all on Igbosere, Lagos Island, during the last #EndSARS Protest, the Lagos branch of National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC) has appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and other Heads of courts across the country, to provide a befitting press centers and galleries in all courts.

The appeal was made by the association’s chairman, Peter Fowoyo in a statement issued to commiserate with the country’s judiciary over attacked on the temple of justice by some hoodlums during the protest.

Fowoyo in the statement titled ‘a letter of appeal to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, other Heads of Courts for a befitting press centers and galleries’, said granting the request will enable journalists on judiciary beat perform their roles effectively.

He also thanked the Lagos division of Appeal Court, for providing a press center for the association, but was burned during the attack. 

The statement reads in part: “we the National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC) Lagos branch, commiserate with the judiciary over losses incurred during the ENDSARS protest where the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, Lagos High Court and the Chief Magistrates Court, Igbosere were burnt by hoodlums.

“As an association, we remain grateful to the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal for providing a Press Center, where journalists from different media organizations converge on daily basis to write and file stories to their medium. We thank immensely, the Deputy Court Registrar, Mrs. Rashidat Rasheed, who has always received us into her office as an association.

“The press center unfortunately, refurbished with a sum of N12 million and commissioned by a representative of the Deputy Court Registrar (DCR) in October 2019, was among several other offices and buildings set ablaze by the hoodlums.

“Some of the items lost to the inferno include: furniture, computers, internet facility, air conditions, fridges, televisions, assorted drinks, to mention but few amongst the numerous items.

“We hereby appeal to all the heads of courts, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the President, Court of Appeal, the President, National Industrial Court, the Chief Judge, Federal High Court, the Chief Judges of the 36 states, and indeed stakeholders in the justice sector to assist in the provisions of Press Centers in all the courts across the country.

“Our courts, in the 21st century are built without Press Centers, without Press Galleries for journalists assigned to the judiciary beat. It is against this backdrop that we appeal to your Lordships to consider the inclusion of Press Centers in all the courts across the country.

“We are not unmindful of your efforts, even in the face of intimidation and unnecessary interference by the Executive arm, to ensure justice is dispensed without fear or favour, and at an improved timeframe, notwithstanding the Covid-19 pandemic. We dare to say, it can be improved upon!

“The rules of courts during the Covid-19 pandemic and the constraint of space are preventing journalists from effectively covering the judiciary beat. While this may not be deliberate on the part of the judiciary, we must urgently address the issue so as to preserve the constitutional role of the media viz a viz that of the third arm of government.

“Now is the time for both to work as partners in progress for a better society, both working together in harmony. Be rest assured of our continued cooperation and commitment towards a symbiotic relationship that has hitherto existed between the judiciary and the media.

“We thank your Lordships in anticipation for the granting of our humble applications”.

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