CCT chair advocates return of Decree Number 2

Speaking at the end of Tuesday’s proceedings, Umar, who could not hide his disdain for journalists said that “journalists should be punished” for publishing falsehood, “it is a criminal offence.”

Umar’s said that his position was informed by last week publication in some newspapers to the effect that the tribunal had adjourned the trial of the Senate President Sine-die (indefinitely).

Apparently angered by the publication, the CCT Chairman accused journalists of practicing irresponsible journalism that is in bad taste for him and for his tribunal.

He said, “if I have my way I would bring back the Decree 2 of the olden days to take care of the irresponsible journalists in this country.

“How can they dare to publish that we have adjourned the trial of this defendant (Saraki) indefinitely, it is the highest point of irresponsible journalism but I thank God for them that we are in a democratic era and that is why they are doing what they are doing now.

“They are embarking on sensational journalism to sell their newspapers at the expense of truth but that is not journalism but a serious crime that can lead them to jail”, he said.

Recall that during the military administration of General Buhari, Decree Number 2 gave the Chief of Staff at Supreme Headquarters the power to detain journalists for up to six months without trial anyone considered a security risk.

At the time, special military tribunals increasingly replaced law courts while the state security agency, the National Security Organization (NSO), were given greater powers.

However, responding to the remark of the CCT Boss, the lead counsel to Saraki, Kanu Agabi SAN, announced that he admires journalists a lot because of their contributions to the enthronement of democracy in this country.

Agabi told the CCT Chairman that what Nigeria needs now is peace and not decree 2 and urged that all Nigerians should pray for peace rather than anything that can disturb the peace of the Nation.