NAN-H-23
Media
By Veronica Dariya
Abuja, Dec. 15, 2016 (NAN) A legal practitioner, Mrs Maureen Ajogo, on Thursday, has said that the media has a role to play in checking corruption within the judicial system.
Ajogo said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kubwa, Abuja, that “the judicial system needs the support of the media to flush out any form of corruption in the system’’.
According to her, the role of the media as a watchdog would help in investigation and prosecution.
She said that it was the media that could monitor and explain the performance of the system to enable it maintain its standards and integrity.
“You must agree with me that the role of the media as a vigilant and informed guardian against corruption in the system should be recognised.
“It must be enhanced and strengthened by the support of the judiciary itself.
“Where possible, courts should be afforded the means to appoint media liaison officers to explain to the public the importance of integrity in the judicial institution.
“They (courts) should be able to tell the public the procedures available for complainants and investigators of corruption and the outcome of any such investigations,’’ Ajogo said.
She said the role and functions of the Bar associations and Law societies in combating corruption in the judiciary must be acknowledged.
Ajogo said that such bodies had an obligation to report to the appropriate authorities instances where corrupt practices were suspected.
“They also have the obligation to explain to clients and the public the principles and procedures for handling complaints against judicial officers.
“They have a duty to institute effective means to discipline members of the legal profession alleged to be involved in corruption, ‘’ she said.
Ajogo, however, advised that workshops and seminars should be conducted on regular basis for the judiciary to give room for ethical issues.
She said that this would heighten vigilance by the judiciary against all forms of corruption. (NAN)
DVK/DS/AJA
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)