Date: 2015-12-01

The Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Dr. Ali Ahmad said it would be in the best interest of the country if Nigerian media could be more observant in their duties and expose the bias and malice in the nation's judicial system.

Ahmad noted with displeasure the rate of abuse in the system, particularly as it affected some cases where some were treated with speed of light while the others, according to him at snail's speed.

In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Shuaib Abdulkadir, he said such action could eventually rubbish the present administration's fight and campaign against corruption.

The Speaker maintained that it was in order to guide against such bias he sponsored the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill while serving at the National Assembly where every cases could be determined within 6months regardless of who is involved.

He said this in his paper titled "War on Corruption: Role of The Media in Implementation" delivered at the monthly lecture series organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ) ,Oyo State Council in Ibadan on Monday.

The Speaker said: "I think I am not naive in my thought that the media is equal to the task of exposing bias and malice coming from operators of our laws. No one but observant media can curb abuse in the system.

"If a prosecutor chooses to drive a corruption case with the speed of light and then proceeds at snail's speed with another corruption matter, who, but members of the media can validly raise questions and draw public attention or condemnation of such bias.

"If a prosecutor or an agency like the EFCC and ICPC screams to Hugh heavens in one court or about one particular defendant regarding quick trial as enshrined in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and same prosecutor or agency is apathetic and easy-going in another court or with respect to some other defendants, then we expect the media to raise the alarm.

"That is our expectation, that is what operates in developed systems worldwide, and that is the important role that the media has to play in ensuring implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act", he added.

Ahmad reiterated that the ACJA is the law Nigeria presently required not only to fight corruption but also to show to the world that the country criminal justice system is at par with the global standard, noting that to succeed it required every hands to be on deck.

Earlier, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Michael Adeyemo commended the choice of the Kwara Speaker for the lecture, stressing that Ali Ahmad's interest in the reformation of Nigeria criminal justice system is undoubted.

Adeyemo noted that at the last Conference of Speakers of States Houses of Assembly, it has been resolved that the ACJA would be considered and passed by each state within the next 6 months.

He however lamented that one of the hindrances in the nation's fight against corruption is because it is always based on sentiment.

In his address, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ) ,Oyo State Council, Gbenga Opadotun said that the lecturer was considered based on his track record of achievement and contributions to the development of Nigeria.

Opadotun said that the avenue is not only to educate journalists more on some issues but to equally further enlighten the public.