Refrain from Discussing Matters Already in Court, Onnoghen Warns Media Professionals, Public

Threatens jail term for defaulters

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, yesterday warned media professionals and the public to refrain from publishing or airing opinions on matters already before a competent court of law.

Onnoghen’s warning which was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Bassey Awassam, also stated that the judiciary would not hesitate to wield the big stick on defaulters.

Citing the issue of the Anambra Central senatorial tussle currently before the courts, Onnoghen remarked that such practice by journalists are not only prejudicial but would not also augur well for the judiciary and the country.

Part of the statement read:”The attention of the CJN, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, has been drawn to the emerging and continued practice of discussions of matters that are subjudice in the print and electronic media, such as the issues concerning the Anambra Central senatorial district dispute.

“The CJN wishes to remind the public that it is contempt of court for anyone to discuss any matter pending in any court of law in the country. The punishment for contempt may include a term of imprisonment.

“To make matters worse, in such discourse, the language being used in describing the judgments of the courts is not only ungentlemanly, degrading and contemptuous, but amounts to uncharitable insults which should not be encouraged in any decent democracy.”

Awassam said it was in the light of the above that the CJN continues to encourage parties and the general public to use only lawful means in the pursuit of remedies for their real and imagined grievances.

Onnoghen, in the statement, reiterated his appeal to litigants, advocates and the public to refrain from making unsubstantiated and malicious allegations and complaints against judicial officers.

He, however, reminded judges to consider invoking their inherent power of contempt where there are clear violations or infractions in respect of matters that are subjudice.

The CJN also assured Nigerians that the Judiciary under his watch remains committed in the discharge of its responsibilities in line with the 1999 Constitution without fear or favour; affection or ill-will, adding that the rule of law remains the solution to the country’s numerous problems.