RoLAC, NUJ partner to focus on corruption in criminal justice system

IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Council have concluded an event to awaken the interest of journalists covering Crime and Judiciary in Lagos to beam searchlight on corruption.

The event which took place on Friday had the sugbject “Media Engagement on the Role of Journalist on Criminal Justice and Anti-Corruption reform”. Speaking at the event,  Mrs Ajibola Ijimakinwa; Lagos State Coordinator of RoLAC urged journalists to always go extra mile to dig out facts on any issue before making it public.

She said  RoLAC aims to enhance good governance, strengthen rule of law and minimize corruption in Nigeria. According to her, implementation of the Nigerian Criminal Justice Reform; Access to justice for women, children and persons with Disabilities (PWDs); Strengthening the fight against corruption; Citizens’ Engagement in criminal justice reforms and the fight against corruption.

  Lagos Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr Adeleye Ajayi  in an address delivered at the occasion said successive governments in Nigeria had over the years made efforts to fight corruption and expressed commitment to reform the criminal justice system.

“Governments have established anti-corruption agencies with mandates to independently investigate, prosecute and prevent corruption. There is no doubt that corruption has caused a terrible drain on public resources and eroding citizens’ trust and confidence in the system.

“I must say that we are happy to partner with the British Council’s initiative on Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme on the role of journalists on criminal justice and anti-corruption reform.

“I also want to acknowledge the series of training by RoLAC on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).

“At the end of this programme, I am optimistic that we will beam our searchlight more on criminal justice institutions like the Police, Correctional Services, Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, ICPC, EFCC and others,” Ajayi  said.

According to him, it is our assignment to look beyond press statements issued by these criminal justice institutions and do our personal investigation on issues of corruption.

“It is therefore, our obligation to ensure we enhance the civil society and public engagement in the fight against corruption and the criminal justice reform process. Let us make it a point of duty to fight corruption, knowing full well that Nigeria has ratified and signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

“Nigeria is also a signatory to both the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the Economic Community of West African States Protocol on the fight against Corruption,” the NUJ Chairman said.

Thirty members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Lagos Council were shortlisted for the event, mainly judicial and crime reporters and editors.

Other attendees included Chibogu Obinna, a Gender Development Consultant who is a consultant to RoLAC; former NBA Chairman, Ikorodu Branch Mr Bayo Akinlade and other Executive members of Lagos NUJ.

Participants were put to task as journalists were shared into groups to x-ray key issues confronting journalists in achieving professionalism and proffer identified solutions. RoLAC is an agency funded by the European Union and implemented by British Council.