In a sweeping and searing address that cut to the core of Nigeria’s democratic struggles, L.U.N. Nwakaeti, Esq., former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch (2016–2018), delivered the keynote lecture today at the launch of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Workstation in Owerri.
In his paper titled “Judiciary and the Role of the Media in Deepening Nigerian Democracy,” Nwakaeti painted a grim picture of two pillars of democracy—the judiciary and the media—buckling under the weight of corruption, political manipulation, and loss of independence. The judiciary is in Revers
“Very recently in Nigeria, it is sad to posit that the concept of judicial independence and as the last hope of the common man is in the reverse gear and largely observed in the breach,” Nwakaeti declared.
He lamented how judicial precedent had been “largely abused by all categories of courts,” warning that “rather than operate independently, the judiciary has now become subject to political interference or influence.”
He accused judicial appointments of becoming nepotistic and transactional:
“This last aspect in my view has turned appointment into judicial offices as hereditary right, spousal gift and influence peddling. It is no longer based on merit as it then was.”
He attributed this institutional decay to factors such as inadequate funding, backlog of cases, and “judicial corruption.”
“Democracy in Nigeria is severely weakened and the rule of law and individual rights and liberties are largely in abeyance… All efforts must be directed towards having a judiciary that would be able to play its historic roles of safeguarding civil liberties, the rule of law and democratic tenets.”
Turning to the media, Nwakaeti described it as a “moral, directional and opinion compass” that has lost its bearings under state control and ownership by political elites.
“Many African leaders today… fail to allow a free press by muzzling the media and turning it into a state apparatus amplifying government’s threats alone. This is unfortunately the case in Nigeria today, with Imo State as a case study.”
He cited Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution and emphasized that media freedom is not optional but mandatory for democracy:
“The press, radio, television and other agencies of the media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives… and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.”
He warned of how ownership structures have compromised objectivity:
“From the above, it is instructive to note that some of these media houses… are instruments in the hands of powerful owners to further their political interests.”
He lamented that the rise of “fake news and news manipulation using artificial intelligence” has been enabled by “the abdication of its traditional responsibility by the traditional press and electronic media.”
Nwakaeti didn’t spare the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), describing it as an unconstitutional threat to press freedom.
“I strongly contend that if there are enough safeguards against irresponsible journalism… what then is the usefulness of the NBC? I can only conclude that the NBC… has no place in a constitutional democracy.”
In his conclusion, Nwakaeti called for stronger institutional resolve from both the judiciary and the media:“
The judiciary should as a matter of duty hand down purposive and expansive decisions in support of the Freedom of Information Act and the freedom of the press… The judiciary should ensure that penal punishment is meted out to anybody who infringes on the constitutional privileges of the press and the people.”
He also urged the judiciary to open up more:
“The Judiciary must strive to make court proceedings and decisions more open to the public and with the aid of the media; this will help improve accessibility and transparency.”
The address was received with a standing ovation by members of the press, lawyers, civil society actors and other stakeholders gathered at the NUJ Secretariat. In a time of eroding public trust in institutions, Nwakaeti’s bold speech has added momentum to ongoing calls for sweeping reforms across Nigeria’s justice and media sectors.
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