@article{2018:akpoghome:criminal_p,
title = {Criminal Proceedings, The Public And The Media In Nigeria: Influence On Court’s Decision?},
year = {2018},
note = {This paper focuses on the influence of the public and media on
court’s decisions in criminal proceedings in Nigeria. The paper
notes that an accused person is presumed innocent until his guilt has
been proven beyond reasonable doubt. He is also entitled to a fair
trial within a reasonable time by a properly constituted court that is
independent and impartial. On the other hand, the paper discovers that
the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the press and
notes that the judiciary acknowledges the fact that a free press is
very vital to the survival of any democracy and the press must work
together with the courts to educate the public except where
circumstances prevents such. The paper notes that in the exercise of
press freedom, the media has been engaging in media trial in Nigeria
and this has affected the perceptions of the public with respect to
criminal proceedings and judgments emanating from the courts. The
paper also notes that media trial could be detrimental to the
dispensation of justice where judges are pressured to give decisions
in line with public opinion as against the rules laid down by the law.
Having examined the laws and other issues that have arisen as a result
of media trial, the paper recommends that the media should adopt best
global practices in the profession and should be conversant with the
law of defamation and contempt. The paper further recommends that
lawyers should desist from making comments and utterances that
prejudice cases before the courts but rather work towards protecting
the integrity and dignity of the legal profession and the courts. The
paper concludes by urging that the younger generations should be
educated on how criminal proceedings work and the dangers of the
perception created by media trials.},
journal = {KAS African Law Study Library},
pages = {122--143},
author = {Akpoghome, Theresa U.},
volume = {5},
number = {1}
}