0
0
Abdulgafar Alabelewe, chairman of the Kaduna state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has raised concerns over restricted access during the ongoing trial of Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of the state.
El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, is currently facing legal battles over allegations of fraud and abuse of office.
Alabelewe said reporters have been sidelined from covering proceedings, leaving them dependent on post-hearing briefings from lawyers representing both parties.
He said the development is troubling, particularly given the public interest nature of the case which involves allegations tied to governance and security.
“It is an unfortunate situation because the media have been reduced to mere onlookers in matters of national interest,” he said.
“Issues of corruption and security are of public concern, and journalists should be granted full access to observe and report on proceedings, whether at the stage of prosecution or trial.”
Alabelewe noted that the situation reflects a broader pattern in which journalists are either denied entry into courtrooms or subjected to tight restrictions, often justified on the grounds of crowd control.
Advertisement
He said there have been instances where individuals without direct roles in the proceedings were allowed into courtrooms based on influence or status, while accredited journalists were left outside
He warned that restricting access not only weakens press freedom but also increases the risk of misinformation, as reporters are forced to rely on second-hand accounts.
“We have witnessed situations where lawyers misled journalists with inaccurate accounts of court rulings, leading to conflicting reports in the media,” he said.
The NUJ chairman also raised safety concerns, noting that journalists denied entry are often left outside court premises, where they may be exposed to harassment or threats from hostile individuals.
SB E-news.
Related posts:
President Tinubu Reconstitutes the Board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission www.sbene...
ADMISSION SCARE: MINIMUM AGE, MAXIMUM RAGE - PROF. MIKE OZEKHOME SAN www.sbenews.com.ng www.efficien...
RELIGION AS CONTROL, NOT MORALITY THE WHISTLE DOWN ANALYSIS www.sbenews.com.ng www.efficiency.com.ng
About the Author
