Strong judiciary, media, security critical to survival of Nigeria’s democracy – Experts

By BIMBO OGUNNAIKE

Legal luminaries and media professionals have highlighted that Nigeria’s democracy depends on a strong judiciary, the media and security, among others.

Consequently, the experts said the President Bola Tinubu administration should fund institutions rather than building strong men to ensure the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

Among the experts who arrived at this submission were Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo (Retd), Mr. Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), Mr. Abiodun Olatunji (SAN) and a former Editor of The Nation newspaper, Mr. Lekan Otunfodunrin.

They spoke at the 2023 Annual Lecture of the National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC) held at the Muson Centre, Lagos, on Thursday, with the theme: “Birthing a new Nigeria: Role of the Judiciary, Security Agencies and the Media in a Democratic Society.”

The Guest Speaker, Mr. Olatunji, whose paper emphasised the importance of the Judiciary in a democracy, identified several fundamental issues the government must resolve for the judiciary to become strong and independent.

These ingredients, according to him, include merit-based appointment of justices/judges, security of justices/judges’ tenures, establishment/strengthening of state judicial councils, improved welfare of Judicial officers, and sustenance of Judicial financial autonomy.

He stressed that intimidation of judges, in whatever form, must end in order to have a viable judiciary.

Justice Taiwo, corroborated Olatunji’s position, said poor remuneration for retired justices is a problem, particularly at the level of federal judges.

He revealed that his total pension as a retired justice is below N500,000, an amount inadequate to meet his needs in the current poor economy.

Justice Taiwo said: “Federal judges are badly treated after retirement, compared to state judges. Lagos State has tried for retired judges. Lagos gives retired judges allowances for life, buys them cars, sends them gifts as if they’re in service.”

The judge noted that there is a symbiotic relationship between the judiciary and the press with regard to information.

“One must make sure that the constitutional provision for freedom of information is enforced, in order to disseminate information as the case may be,” he said, emphasizing the importance of the press in everyday life and in a democracy.

According to Justice Taiwo, “We owe a lot to journalists because the government at times have to read (the newspapers) and come to terms with what the people are really thinking and they can’t get the people’s feelings unless they read the newspapers and listen to the news. It is from there, they’ll gauge the tempo and what the people want.

“Unfortunately, in most cases, some governments don’t care. Whether the tempo is high or whether the country is in flames, they don’t care; they do what they want.”

He said whatever decisions those in government take, “history will judge everyone, including the governed and the government.”

Mr. Oyeyipo also made a case for strengthening the judiciary, noting that it is critical to a constitutional democracy.

“There can’t be a democracy without the judiciary,” he stressed.

However, Mr. Otunfodunrin harped on the need for the Executive arm of government to understand the need for separation of powers, saying it is a key distinguishing factor between a democracy and a military regime.

Earlier, NAJUC Chairman, Peter Fowoyo, in his welcome address, had emphasized the need the key sectors in a democracy to fulfill their constitutional roles in the country’s interest.

He charged the judiciary and security agencies, in particular, to step up their game in order to make Nigeria’s democracy survive.

Fowoyo said: “To birth a new Nigeria, therefore, the judiciary, the security agencies and, indeed, the media must not only identify their roles and play them accordingly, they must also work together for the betterment of all Nigerians.”

However, he said: “We thank the judiciary for the support given to us and the work they render to the society. We believe that the third arm of government can do better in the dispensation of justice.

“To our security agencies, we wish to thank you all, not just for coming here today but, also for your commitment to ensure that our society is safe to live in. We dare say, that you can do better if you work together as friends, not as foes.

“The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reiterated that you must share intelligence gathering and work together as a team. This cannot be overemphasized.”

The event also feature the installation of Mr. Olatunji as a Patron of NAJUC and Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, SAN, as Grand Patron by Justice Taiwo.

Four NAJUC members, Joshua Morakinyo, Innocent Anaba, Wale Igbintade, Akeem Ishola and Ranti Thomas were conferred with honorary awards for their contributions to the association.

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