Admin l Thursday, March 08, 2018
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – The clerk of a customary court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos today denied journalists covering the Lagos judiciary entry into her courtroom, insisting that proceedings in the court are held in secret.The court registrar, Mr Yomi told journalists that he got the order from the President of the court, Mrs Oladele acting on a directive from the Judicial Service Commission to forcefully order journalists out of the courtroom.
“We do not allow journalists into the court room to report proceedings due to the type of high profile cases and the calibre of people that comes to this particular court. The order is from above not to allow journalists cover proceedings from this court,” The registrar said, adding that if any journalist comes into this court to report proceedings, he will walk them out.
“I have walked journalists out of the court before with the backing of the President of the court. Ikeja Customary Court is the number one court in Lagos State because of the calibre of people and cases that is being filed. You can never hear any news on marriage dissolution emanating from this particular court,” The registrar said.
Journalists derive their power to cover the court from the Ammended 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Section 22 of the 1999 constitution as amended provides that the press, radio, Television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold a responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.
Also section 39 (1) states that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference. NAN
