Nigeria is not one of the countries where crimes against journalists go unpunished- FG

The Federal Government has expressed satisfaction that Nigeria is “no longer among countries where crimes against journalists go unpunished.”

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF Abubakar Malami, made this known at an event titled “Policy Dialogue on Protection of Journalists in commemoration of the 2021 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in Nigeria,” which was held in Abuja on Tuesday and was organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice with the support of the British Council’s Managing Conflict in Nigeria program.

This was revealed in a statement signed by Mercy Omoyajowo for the Ministry of Information and Culture’s Deputy Director.

“In the last decade, before the advent of the current Administration, Nigeria ranked between 12th and 13th across the globe and used to be among the top three African countries with impunity for crimes against journalists only after Somalia and South Sudan,” Malami said in the statement. Recent events in Nigeria demonstrated that the Federal Government is taking commendable steps to end impunity for crimes against Nigerian citizens.

“This is yet another feather in the cap of President Muhammadu Buhari’s GCFR’s human rights record that deserves to be celebrated.” It is a re-enactment of the best practice

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He stated that the Federal Government recognizes the role of journalists in any democs in governance that characterize President Muhammadu Buhari’s, GCFR, administration.”ratic setting, adding that they serve as watchdogs and hold the government accountable.

Section 22 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution, as amended, emphasizes this point. It requires the press, radio, television, and other mass media outlets to “always be free to uphold the government’s responsibility and accountability to the people,” according to the AGF.

Malami attributed the achievement to the deliberate and committed efforts of the President’s regime, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd. ), who implemented numerous reforms in the Nigerian justice sector.

He cited accomplishments such as increased access to justice, speedy justice delivery, decongestion of Nigeria’s correctional facilities, and prudent implementation of the Criminal Justice Act and Justice Sector reforms.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken steps to advance the rule of law, the application of human rights, the enhancement of information freedom and, by extension, press freedom, as well as the administration of criminal justice.” Aside from the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, notable recent legislations enacted by the current administration include the Public Interest Disclosure and Witness Protection Bill (2017), the Whistleblower Protection Policy, the Open Government Partnership, and the vigorous fight against corruption. “The media, and by extension journalists, remain critical stakeholders in each of these laws and policies,” he said.

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“As the country’s Chief-Law Officer, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is determined to uphold the constitutionally mandated responsibility of ensuring strict adherence to the rule of law and putting an end to the issue of impunity for crime in all its manifestations.” Our records on the P&ID case are unequivocal proof of this. As a result, there is a need to consolidate the recorded successes and ensure that no room is left for retardation or retrogression.”