By Emmanuel Ntekim
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has expressed outrage and strongly condemned the alleged obstruction, humiliation, and intimidation of journalists by Magistrate Godwin Edemekong of Magistrate Court 7, Fulga Street, Uyo, his court clerk, and police operatives attached to the court.
According to the Council, journalists who were on lawful duty to cover proceedings in the case between the Commissioner of Police and one Abdullahi Yusuf, a herder, were arbitrarily barred, harassed, and forcibly ejected from the courtroom, despite the matter being one of significant public interest.
The NUJ maintained that an open courtroom is not the private chamber of any judicial officer, stressing that such conduct constitutes an assault on the principles of open justice, transparency, and press freedom as guaranteed under Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Council stated that a judiciary that operates in secrecy and hostility towards the press cannot claim to uphold the ideals of democracy.
“Journalists are not enemies of the court. We are custodians of the public’s right to know and watchdogs of due process. To treat the press as a threat is to undermine accountability and embolden impunity,” the union said.
In a statement signed by the Council’s Secretary, Comrade Nsikak Esenowo, the NUJ demanded an immediate public explanation from Magistrate Edemekong, requesting him to disclose the legal basis, if any, for preventing journalists from covering an open court session.
The Council also demanded an unreserved apology to the affected journalists, their media organisations, and the NUJ over what it described as an abuse of power and unprofessional conduct.
Furthermore, the union called on the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Fabian-Obot, and the National Judicial Council to investigate the incident and impose appropriate disciplinary measures to prevent a recurrence.
The NUJ warned against what it described as a growing culture of gagging the press in the “temples of justice,” insisting that any attempt to conduct judicial proceedings in secrecy would be resisted through lawful means.
“The rule of law dies in darkness. The press must be allowed to shine light into every courtroom without fear or favour,” the statement concluded.
