Judge confines journalist in dock during proceedings

Justice Latifat Oluyemi of an Ikeja High Court on Thursday ordered a Champion newspaper’s reporter, Arinze Nwafor, into the dock for recording proceedings in her courtroom.

This happened after the judge delivered a ruling on an interlocutory application filed by aggrieved traders at the Mile 12 Market, Lagos, against Ikosi/Isheri Local Council Development Area and Lagos State attorney-general and commissioner for justice.

Oluyemi dismissed the application, saying that the court process was not properly signed and some documents not legible.

She advised the parties to reach an amicable resolution of their dispute.

The ruling did not go down well with some people in the courtroom as they murmured.

While these were going on, the journalist was writing on his jotter.

The judge then asked him if he was recording the proceedings.

The journalist admitted writing on a paper.

The judge then ordered him to stay in the dock and hear all the proceedings of the court since he wanted to record the proceedings.

The journalist was in the dock for more than 30 minutes until the end of proceedings in the case.

Reacting to the dismissal of the application, counsel to the traders, Mr Gbolahan Quadri, said that it disregarded the fundamental principles of justice and cast doubts on the integrity and fairness of the judicial process.

Other respondents in the suit include Dr Chris Onyekachi, Total Value Integrated Services Ltd. and Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The application was initiated by the Incorporated Trustees of Orirere Community Leaders and Traders Association, Precious Ojo, Alhaji Akinwale Jimoh and Babatunde Adetula.