At the 16th Annual Lecture of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), held on May 22, 2025, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, the Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo (Rtd), delivered a powerful address highlighting the urgent need for judicial transparency, legal reform, and responsible media collaboration in the administration of justice in Nigeria.
Justice Taiwo, in his speech, emphasized the symbiotic relationship between the judiciary and the media, describing both institutions as guardians of democracy. “Journalism, often referred to as the ‘Fourth Estate of the Realm,’ must be independent and free—just like the judiciary. Both protect democracy and make it deep-rooted,” he noted.
He expressed concern over misleading reports of court judgments and urged judicial correspondents to prioritize accuracy. “Journalists must ensure that judgments are adequately and rightly reported. This is important in view of the ‘versions’ of judgments we often read in the media,” he cautioned.
Commending ongoing judicial reforms, Justice Taiwo lauded the initiative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice M. Kekere-Ekun, especially the novel practice of publishing the names of judicial candidates for public scrutiny before appointment. “This is transparency in action and should be widely publicized,” he told the audience, which included jurists, legal professionals, media practitioners, and members of the public.
He further called on the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to urgently review and repeal outdated laws, many of which date back to the colonial era. “Some provisions have already been declared unconstitutional, yet they remain in our statutes. Legislative bodies must act to clean up our law books in line with judicial pronouncements,” he asserted.
Justice Taiwo also shared personal anecdotes, reflecting on his early love for journalism and deep connection with media icons such as (Chief) Dr. Dayo Duyile, former DG of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, and notable journalists of the Daily Sketch and Tribune. He used the moment to praise the profession for its investigative role, while also cautioning against disinformation, digital manipulation, and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in news dissemination.
Justice Taiwo emphasized that judicial reforms anchored on technology, international best practices, media integrity, and public feedback are essential for Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.
