CPJ: Nigeria Removed from Global Index for Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
Nigeria is the only country that was delisted from the 2019 Global Index for impunity for crimes against journalists according to the recent 2020 report released by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Wednesday.
According to a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, the Minister said it is gratifying to note that Nigeria is no longer among the countries with impunity for crimes against journalists.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) who reechoed this development described the achievement as a result of deliberate and committed efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government through the implementation of many reforms in the Nigerian justice sector to include increased access to justice, speedy justice dispensation, decongestion of Nigeria’s correctional centers and judicious implementation of the Criminal Justice Act and Justice Sector reforms.
Malami disclosed this on Sunday, November 1st that the Federal Government would protect journalists even as he recognised the United Nation’s proclamation of November 2nd as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
The AGF and Justice Minister further said he was optimistic that with solid foundation of reformed justice sector to be bequeathed by Buhari Administration, never again will Nigeria feature among nations where journalists, citizens and inhabitants of the country will suffer from any form of impunity in the future.
And walking back in time, he said “It could be recalled that in the last decade, before the advent of the present administration, Nigeria ranked 13th across the globe and used to be among top three African countries with impunity for crimes against journalists only after Somalia and South Sudan.”
While expressing commitment to maintain the gains, Malami said there was no room for complacency in ensuring serene online and offline atmosphere of journalism practice in the country.
He said the government is working to ensure safety of journalists against rhetorical aggression, trolling, incursion of privacy, phishing and cyber-attacks, adding that with the implementation of the Cybercrime Act 2015 the incidences of cyber-related crimes would be minimized.
He admonished journalists to stick to the ethical provisions of their profession and shun misinformation and fake news.
