NGO Tasks Media On Reportage Of Justice, Charges Security Agencies on Professionalism

A non-governmental organization The Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) has called on journalists to improve on the quality and frequency of reporting on justice and development issues in Nigeria.

It charged security agencies on stepping up on the ethics and rules of their profession in a bid to see how there will be a synergy between PRAWA, the media and security agencies on steps to attract the government attention to decriminalize and declassify petty offences in Nigeria.

The Executive Director of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh made the call  in Umuahia, Abia State, during a workshop organised for stakeholders on ways to decriminalize minor offences in the country.

“The media can determine how any nation can function, the media is the conscience of the people, the media is here to educate the people , the media is here to put pressure on the government to do what they ought to do.”

A Press Statement issued by Abdulkadir Ahmed Ibrahim, Media and Publicity Advisor to PRAWA, quoted Dr Agomoh saying “Policymakers and politicians will always want to do the things that will make them to win votes and what that means is, it is your role to tell the policy makers and politicians the kind of things the public requires to be done ”

Tagged “Decriminalization and Declassification of Petty Offences” the workshop was graced by Journalists from various media houses in the city of Umuahia the Abia State capital, the PPRO Abia State Police Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, and Ikpe Linus Kalu, the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Prisons Service, Abia State command.

Dr. Agomoh stressed on her position that the media has a long and bigger role to play on what the society becomes and the law enforcement agencies should address petty cases with great concern and speed.

“The media can determine what the public will do and what the leaders say.” Dr. Agomoh added.

She stressed how the media can assist to decriminalize and declassify certain petty offences which she said “is almost like penalizing a person for being poor.”

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Prisons, Ikpe Linus Kalu, in his speech gave a situation report on petty offences prisoners face and the government’s approach to prisoners’ welfare.

“Government spends 450 naira for feeding one inmate daily and there are 75,286 inmates in Nigeria prisons and 1,500 of them are female while 73,786 are male as at Friday 26th April 2019.”

Ikpe also gave the figure of total prisoners in Abia as 1600, while 990 is at Umuahia prisons, both male and female, 556 at Aba prisons and 54 inmates at Arochukwu prison.

“Congestion has been a major challenge, over other cases such as inmates’ welfare and staff welfare.

But it is easy when you mention prison, people will look the other way round, nobody wants to hear about prison” Ikpe added.

Ikpe also pointed out that since 2016, there has been a major turn around in the Nigerian prisons due to the intervention of the government in terms of rehabilitation of prisons, health centers, staff welfare, vehicles and other logistics.

According to Ikpe, “congestion of Nigeria prisons is also as a result of awaiting trial and ex-offenders go back to crime after released from prison as a result of stigmatization from family members and other members of the society.”

Geoffrey Ogbonna, the PPRO Abia state command, on his part, stated the role of the police in cubing crime and the relationship between the media in Abia state and the Abia state police command.

“The media has been a good partner in policing of the society, and that is why we do work hand in hand with the press in almost all our activities.” Geoffrey said.

Geoffrey also charged the journalist to always do thorough investigative journalism before giving reports or publishing any story.

“There are times, the press, irrespective of our cordial relationship with them, they go out of their ways because of that axiom, he who pays the piper, dictates the tune.” Geoffrey said.

At the end of the workshop, members of the press asked questions and made recommendations that will help PRAWA in increasing the frequency of media reporting on decriminalization and declassification of petty offenses.