The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Makurdi Branch, Barr. Joseph Gbagyo, has reiterated the Association’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Judiciary and Crime Correspondents (JCC), describing the media as an indispensable partner in the administration of justice.
Barr. Gbagyo made this known Friday during a courtesy visit by members of the JCC to his office in Makurdi. The NBA Chairman who was joined by the Branch Secretary, Barr. Joseph Valentine Ogizi, stated that the media plays a vital role in society by shaping public opinion and providing the needed information and direction for the masses, and therefore can never be underestimated.
Barr. Gbagyo, who is also the publisher of The Transmitter Newspaper, acknowledged the significant impact of the media. He reassured journalists that the Makurdi Branch of the NBA is always open to fostering a constructive, meaningful, and progressive partnership, emphasizing that true collaboration leads to effective teamwork.
With a background in media law, digital media marketing, and the rule of law, Barr. Gbagyo further revealed that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence has introduced new legal challenges concerning copyright, intellectual property, defamation, and professional responsibility. He encouraged journalists to be aware of these pitfalls in the course of their reportage, warning that a lack of understanding of the dynamics in the legal landscape could lead to unintentional conflicts with the law. He also appealed for more awareness among practitioners.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Denen Achussah of The New Times Newspaper and Chairman of the Judiciary and Crime Correspondents congratulated Mr. Gbagyo on his recent election as Chairman of the NBA, Makurdi Branch. He noted that it reflects the confidence reposed in him by members of the Bar in the state, and expressed confidence that the new chairman’s wealth of experience, strong leadership skills, and dedication to justice would not only bolster the Makurdi Branch but also enhance professionalism, uphold the rule of law, and improve access to justice.
Mr. Achussah pointed out that lawyers and journalists have a vital partnership in nurturing democracy, fostering accountability, and ensuring the public stays well-informed about legal and judicial issues. He emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the NBA and the Judiciary and Crime Correspondents through regular interactions, mutual respect, and open lines of communication. He argued that such collaboration would elevate the quality of legal reporting while deepening the public’s understanding of the justice system.
Also speaking, Mr. Godwin Edeh of The Voice Newspaper and Veronica Inalegwu of Joy FM appealed for training programmes for judiciary correspondents that would enhance a better understanding of legal terms, laws, and their application in daily reportage, as well as the reporting of activities of the Bar within and outside the state. They also solicited greater understanding between the two professional bodies.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benue State, Mr. Emmanuel Antswem, encouraged the NBA to maintain its engagement with the media. He stressed that collaboration would lead to more accurate reporting of legal and judicial matters, ultimately boosting public trust in the justice system.
Also in attendance were Kenneth Tyohemba of Radio Nigeria, Onyeje Abutu of the News Agency of Nigeria, and Martha Otokwula of Benue Television.
