A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Abdul Balogun, has said that investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu, should be charged to court if investigations established that he committed an offence, insisting that he must be treated in accordance with the law.
Balogun, who spoke amid the controversy surrounding Ojukwu’s detention and prosecution over reports on the management of public funds, called for a thorough investigation and fair hearing, stressing that nobody should be subjected to inhuman treatment over allegations of wrongdoing.
The journalist’s case has generated criticism from media and civil society organisations following reports concerning the management of public funds by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sustainable Development Goals, headed by Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
Several media and civil society organisations have condemned the handling of the case, warning that it could undermine press freedom and democratic accountability.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the West Africa Editors Society and a coalition of media and civil society organisations have demanded Ojukwu’s immediate and unconditional release.
However, Balogun maintained that while journalists have a responsibility to hold public officials accountable, they must also ensure that information published is accurate and verifiable.
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“Nigeria is governed by law. Anyone that commits any offence should not be given inhuman treatment; he should be dealt with according to the law.
“There should be a thorough investigation into the matter, and he should also be given a fair hearing when charged to court.
“I know that the Freedom of Information Act gives the press the opportunity to demand accountability from those in government, but it is not also a licence to peddle false information about anybody,” he said.
The senior lawyer’s position highlights the importance of due process in handling allegations against journalists, while underscoring the need for responsible journalism and accountability.
He maintained that where evidence establishes that a journalist has committed an offence, the appropriate course of action is to pursue the matter through the courts in accordance with the law.
