NBA, NUJ to Collaborate in Fighting Injustice in Society
By B. Olusegun Hosea
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Akure Branch, has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, in the fight against injustice and the promotion of the rule of law and good governance in society.
The Chairman of the NBA, Akure Branch, Ojú Kekemeke, stated this during a courtesy visit by the newly inaugurated executive committee of the branch to the NUJ, Ondo State Council.
Kekemeke said the NUJ was the first institution visited by the new NBA executive because of the significant role of the media as the fourth estate of the realm.
“Though, in a manner of speaking, we refer to this visit as a courtesy visit, in truth, we have come today not as visitors, but as partners, conscious of our crucial historical roles and responsibilities to society,” he said.
He said the visit was in recognition of the media’s position as an independent force that monitors those in power and serves the public interest.
“As lawyers, we recognise our role as social engineers, using our knowledge of the law and professional skills to influence society positively, promote justice, protect rights, resolve conflicts and bring about desirable social change,” he said.
Kekemeke noted that the media had continued to live up to its responsibilities as the fourth estate of the realm, adding that the role of the media in holding those in authority accountable could not be overemphasised.
He recalled that the concept of the fourth estate dates back to the 18th century, when Edmund Burke referred to the press as the fourth estate because of its significant historical role in society.
The NBA chairman also commended the NUJ for its interventions on issues affecting journalists, particularly a communique issued by the union in August.
He said although the Bar and the media occupied different spaces, both had a common responsibility to society.
“Putting it in proper perspective, the Bar and the media occupy different spaces, but we have a common responsibility to society. The lawyer is an advocate for justice and the rule of law, while the journalist is an important vehicle through which citizens receive information and hold institutions accountable,” he said.
He added that where the rule of law was weak, both institutions suffered, while uninformed citizens would find it difficult to access justice.
According to him, where public institutions were not sufficiently accountable, democracy and good governance would be weakened.
Kekemeke said the NBA Akure Branch was therefore interested in strengthening and diversifying its relationship with the media industry.
He said the concerns raised by journalists in the NUJ communique reflected the challenges faced by media practitioners while covering certain issues.
“I was particularly attracted to it because that is where I am also coming from. The fact that you covered a bridge, or that you covered a place that they do not want you to speak about, you are harassed, your men are harassed. That is what happens everywhere. We have become endangered because we are practising your profession,” he said.
He said the proposed partnership would focus on several areas, including public legal education, capacity building, legal reporting, access to justice, protection of fundamental rights, the rule of law and good governance.
Public Legal Education
On public legal education, Kekemeke said the NBA branch would make lawyers available to participate in radio and television programmes, public lectures and other platforms through which citizens could better understand their rights.
“You have the platform, we also have the skill. Let us partner together to begin to engage society, and I think that it will serve society greatly,” he said.
Capacity Building and Legal Reporting
He said the two professional bodies could also collaborate on capacity building, noting that both lawyers and journalists needed continuous professional development.
On legal reporting, he said journalists covering courts and legal matters should have access to resources that would help them understand legal proceedings.
He noted that issues such as fair hearing, presumption of innocence and other legal principles could be explored through such collaboration.
Access to Justice and Protection of Fundamental Rights
On access to justice and the protection of fundamental rights, Kekemeke said the NBA and NUJ could collaborate to ensure that systemic obstacles to justice and cases involving vulnerable persons received appropriate public attention.
He said the media had an important role to play in holding government accountable by ensuring that citizens were adequately informed.
“When people do not know what government is all about, government becomes secretive. They are not held accountable, but when you take them on, that is the reason why we are in danger. We do know that that itself is holding them accountable,” he said.
Rule of Law and Good Governance
Kekemeke said the two bodies could also collaborate to promote the rule of law and good governance.
He said the proposed partnership would enable both institutions, within their respective mandates, to advocate for constitutionalism, accountability, respect for judicial decisions and the protection of fundamental rights.
He also proposed mutual institutional support and improved communication between the two bodies.
He suggested direct interaction and liaison between the leadership of the NBA and NUJ, whereby either body could reach out to the other when faced with challenges requiring professional intervention.
He also proposed the possibility of establishing a Bar-Media Forum on justice, the rule of law and good governance.
“We can join hands together and say that the Bar and the media are coming to highlight these very important things as they arise and affect our society,” he said.
Kekemeke said the objective of the partnership was to promote a better-informed citizenry, a stronger justice system and a more accountable society.
He emphasised that the NBA recognised the independence of the media and expected the independence of both professional bodies to be respected by government and other institutions.
He said the partnership would be based on mutual respect and recognition of the roles played by both institutions in society.
“As the new executive of the NBA Akure Branch, we are ready to begin this partnership with you,” he said.
Kekemeke urged the NUJ to contribute its ideas to the proposed partnership, stressing that it should not be a programme designed for the Bar alone but one genuinely owned by both institutions.
NUJ Chairman’s Response
Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ, Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite, said the union was happy to receive the new NBA executive.
Adegbite said the NUJ held the NBA in high esteem and noted the cordial relationship between the two professional bodies.
He said the NUJ looked forward to greater achievements under the new NBA leadership.
The NUJ chairman stressed the need for collaboration between the two bodies in the fight against injustice.
He proposed the establishment of a planning committee to coordinate efforts aimed at fighting for the human rights of oppressed persons.
Adegbite noted that the NUJ had recorded successes in advocating for many people in society.
He also commended the Ondo State Government for the ongoing construction of the flyover bridge in Akure, saying the project would enhance development and beautify the state.
