Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, NPAN, has urged Federal Government to thread with caution in disrespecting the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos, which ruled that Nigeria Press Council was unconstitutional.
NPAN expressed its disapproval over alleged moves by some Federal Government officials to resuscitate the defunct Nigerian Press Council, which had been declared as unconstitutional three years ago.
In a communiqué by NPAN President, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, NPAN raised alarm over a clandestine move to revive the moribund Press Council, which was an official tool used to regulate the press during the military rule.
The association also called on government to assist in deepening the nation’s democracy by encouraging the full and complete implementation of the Freedom of Information, FoI, Act.
It stated that since the country now has democratically elected government in place in the last 14 years, it did not expect that elected leaders would follow the tried but failed tactics of past dictators.
The communiqué read: “The Association notes, with concern, that there is a clandestine move to revive the moribund Press Council, which is usually an official tool to gag the press.
“During past military dictatorships, unsuccessful attempts were made to use the Council against press freedom.
“Since we have a democratically elected government in place over the last 14 years and counting, we do not expect our elected leaders to follow the tried and failed tactics of past dictatorships in Nigeria.
“Recent moves by some undemocratic elements in the Federal Government, indicate that there are still persons in the government who will rather not have a free and fair press but prefer to take steps to abridge the freedom of the press and the right of the people to have unfettered access to information.
Court judgment
“The NPAN particularly views with concern, the surreptitious move by these officials to bring back, through the back door, the Nigerian Press Council, which a court of competent jurisdiction had declared unconstitutional three years ago.
“Specifically, the Association wishes to recall that on Thursday, February 25, 2010, the Federal High Court, Lagos, Presided over by Justice A. M Liman had in Suit N0 FHC/L/CS/1324/99, filed by the NPAN against the President, Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Information and the National Assembly, ruled that the Press Council was unconstitutional.”
It called on Federal Government to “respect the reasoned judgment on the Press Council, and help deepen our democracy by encouraging the full and complete implementation of the Freedom of Information Act signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan himself in a signal to the nation and the world that he would run an open government anchored on a free press.
On Leadership journalists
“In the light of that, we also appeal to Federal Government to stop forthwith the ongoing trial of the journalists of Leadership Group Limited, who were recently re-arraigned, after the same government had withdrawn the case against them and the company during the celebration of Free Freedom Day.
“Their continuing trial is inconsistent with the spirit of our collective democratic journey and unhelpful in the circumstances.
“Government should realise that the press has an important constitutional role to play in our democracy, which includes holding it accountable at all times.”
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