Abuja — The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, have warned the media against misrepresentation and sensational reporting that could erode public confidence in the justice system and weaken democratic institutions.
Speaking at the annual conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC) in Abuja, the CJN — represented by the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Babatunde Adejumo — urged judiciary correspondents to uphold the highest standards of professionalism. She described their role as a vital, democratic bridge between the Bench and the public.
“In every constitutional democracy, the strength of institutions is measured not only by the decisions they make, but by the degree to which those decisions are understood, trusted, and accepted by society,” Kekere-Ekun said. She warned that inaccurate, incomplete or sensational reporting of court proceedings could undermine the rule of law and called on journalists to prioritize accuracy, context and fairness — particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
“The media must show restraint, professionalism and fidelity to truth. Misrepresentation can inflame tensions, while principled reporting promotes understanding and peaceful democratic processes,” she added.
In his remarks, AGF Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, represented by his Special Assistant on Legislative Drafting, Hussein Oloyede, commended the media’s role in deepening democracy but cautioned journalists against becoming tools for divisive political actors. He called on the press to resist those he termed “political desperadoes” and warned that relevant government agencies would act against anyone who breaks the law.
“The government will not succumb to blackmail. Violence, hate speech or any other criminal tendencies will not be tolerated in any form,” Fagbemi said, urging Nigerians to protect national unity as election season approaches.
NAJUC Abuja chairman Kayode Lawal used the occasion to call for judicial reforms to safeguard democracy, warning that conflicting court orders in politically sensitive cases risk undermining public confidence and could trigger unrest. He cited parallel rulings by the Federal High Court in Abuja and the Oyo State High Court over the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2025 convention as a troubling example.
The conference, themed “The Role of the Judiciary in Deepening Democracy in Nigeria,” aims to foster dialogue between legal practitioners and the media while addressing systemic challenges in the judiciary.
