The Federal Government has expressed delight that Nigeria is “no longer among countries with impunity for crimes against journalists.”

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF Abubakar Malami, made this known at an event tagged; “Policy Dialogue on Protection of Journalists in commemoration of the 2021 International Day to end impunity for crimes against Journalists in Nigeria”, organised by Federal Ministry of Justice with the support from the Managing Conflict in Nigeria program of the British Council, held in Abuja on Tuesday.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Mercy Omoyajowo, for the Deputy Director, Ministry of Information and Culture.

The statement quoted Malami as saying, “In the last decade, before the advent of the present Administration, Nigeria ranked between 12th and 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. Recent developments in Nigeria proved that the Federal Government has laudable initiatives to end impunity for crimes against Nigerian citizens.

“This is another positive feather of development in the human right record of the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR that calls for celebration. It is a re-enactment of the best practices in the conduct of the governance which characterizes the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.”

He said the Federal Government recognises the role of journalists in any democratic setting, adding that they render essential service of the watchdog function as well as holding the government accountable.

“The provision of section 22 of the 1999 constitution as amended of Federal Republic of Nigeria underscores this fact. It provides: the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media to, at all time, be free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people,” the AGF said.

Malami attributed the achievement recorded to the deliberate and committed efforts of the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), through the implementation of many reforms in the Nigerian justice sector.

He listed the achievements to include increased access to justice, speedy justice dispensation, decongestion of Nigeria’s correctional centres and judicious implementation of the Criminal Justice Act and Justice Sector reforms.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken steps in advancing the rule of law, application of human rights, enhancing the freedom of information and by implication freedom of the press as well as the administration of criminal justice. In addition to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, prominent among recent legislations by the present administration included Public Interest Disclosure and Witness Protection Bill (2017), Whistle Blower Protection Policy, Open Government Partnership and the vigorous fight against corruption. In each of these legislations and policies the media and by implications journalists remain critical stakeholders,“ he said.

“As the Chief-Law Officer of the Country, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is determined to uphold the constitutionally saddled responsibility of ensuring strict adherence to the rule of law and bringing to an end the issue of impunity for crime in all ramifications. Our records on P&ID case is a clear testimony to that fact. Hence, the need for the consolidation of the successes recorded and that no room is left in retardation or retrogression.”