Retired Judge Urges Journalists to Examine Judiciary and Report Wrongdoing

A retired judge from the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Ifiok Ukanna, has urged journalists to look closely at judicial decisions, uncover wrongdoing in the justice system, and hold the judiciary accountable to the public.

He said the media should not be scared to carry out their watchdog duties.

Mr Ukanna made this statement on Wednesday during a symposium on "Effective Crime and Court Reporting: The Role of the Media in the Administration of Justice." The event was organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, in partnership with the state judiciary.

The symposium took place at the NUJ Press Centre in Uyo.

He stated that reporters covering court cases have a duty to not just report what happens but also to inform the public, examine judicial decisions, question the justice process, and expose corruption.

"The journalist whose beat is the court must seek to inform the public, influence public opinion, scrutinise and question judicial decisions, expose corruption and wrongdoing in the judicial process and hold the judiciary accountable to the people," Mr Ukanna said.

He recognized that some may find journalists’ work "irritating and annoying" but insisted that reporters should not let this discomfort stop them from being vigilant.

Mr Ukanna encouraged court reporters to approach their jobs without fear of mistakes or contempt charges.

"A reporter must not begin to walk with fear in the court. He must walk with confidence, a confidence that is supported by the knowledge of the system," he said.

He mentioned that the judiciary is among the least reported and most misunderstood parts of government. He called on both the media and the judiciary to build a stronger relationship to promote transparency.

"The press and the judiciary must partner to promote better reportage of the judiciary and by so doing create a better understanding by the public of how the judiciary functions," he stated.

He pointed out that the lack of information desks in many courts makes accurate reporting harder.

"No information desk in our courts. This absence deepens the mystery of the judicial process. This is a contradiction in a democracy," he said.

According to him, the courts should see that being open benefits not just journalists and the public but also the judiciary itself.

"If nothing is heard or known about what goes on in the judiciary, democracy will suffer a setback. The judiciary itself will be the loser because its importance will be diminished," he explained.

Mr Ukanna suggested that courts should set aside seats for journalists during trials that attract public interest so they can see and hear everything clearly.

He noted that overcrowding in courtrooms makes it hard for journalists to cover cases accurately, which can lead to mistakes.

He also called for easier access for accredited journalists to court records, certified true copies of judgments, and rulings.

He said that having access to proper court records would help avoid misrepresentation and misunderstandings of judicial decisions.

Mr Ukanna also spoke about the limits of media criticism towards courts and judges.

Referring to Ambard v Attorney-General for Trinidad and Tobago, he said the public and the media can criticize judicial acts in good faith.

However, he warned journalists against making malicious comments or reports aimed at mocking the court or damaging the reputation of judges.

He said that valid criticism of judicial decisions should be based on facts and not meant to attack the integrity of judicial officers.