Legal Team Raises Alarm Over Biased Media Reportage Amid Trial

Lawyers representing Dr. John Abebe have accused some media organisations and social media platforms of spreading misleading and prejudicial reports about an ongoing case involving their client at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In a statement issued to newsmen by Marvin Omorogbe, founding partner at Deji Adeyanju & Partners, the legal team expressed concern over what it described as a coordinated media campaign portraying Abebe as guilty despite the matter still pending before court a of competent jurisdiction.

The statement noted that the case, in which Mr. Adamu Hassan Turaki is the nominal complainant, is currently pending before the FCT High Court.

Earlier, Dr John Abebe and Joje Fertility Center Limited, were arraigned over an alleged embryo sale and they pleaded not guilty to the three counts charge

Following the not guilty plea,Counsel to Dr Abebe, Marvin Omorogbe moved the application for bail and urged the court to admit the 1st defendant to bail on very liberal terms

In its ruling, the court admitted Dr John Abebe to bail, which has been perfected.

According to the lawyers, several reports circulating online have misrepresented what transpired during court proceedings and have been accompanied by sensational headlines capable of prejudicing public opinion against their client.

While acknowledging the constitutional role of the media in reporting judicial proceedings, the legal team said some of the publications ignored the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“We fully recognize and respect the constitutional role of the press in reporting judicial proceedings, however, several of the reports circulating online materially misrepresent what transpired in court and are accompanied by sensational and defamatory headlines that disregard the principle of presumption of innocence.”

The lawyers therefore called on media organisations, bloggers and online platforms to exercise restraint and professionalism in their coverage of the ongoing proceedings.

They however urged the public to allow the judicial process to run its course and avoid drawing conclusions before the court delivers its judgment.

PR/Garry Ochigbo