Firm condemns media trial against medical doctor

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

Deji Adeyanju and Partners has condemned what it described as a sponsored media trial against its client, medical doctor, Dr John Abebe, and his hospital, Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, alleging that the campaign was designed to secure his conviction in the court of public opinion rather than through due judicial process.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the management of the firm, the lawyers said they were compelled to issue a public rebuttal following what they described as a persistent pattern of false and misleading publications concerning their client.

The firm argued that the timing, context and general pattern of the reports suggested an instigated media campaign rather than legitimate reportage of a matter currently before the court.

“We are counsel to Dr. John Abebe in the ongoing judicial proceedings pending at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, wherein a certain Mr. Adamu Hassan Turaki and his wife, Mrs. Mary Manga Turaki, are the nominal complainants,” the firm said.

According to the lawyers, although their client had initially been inclined to ignore the publications, the sustained nature of the reports had made it necessary to set the record straight.

The firm specifically denied reports circulating online suggesting that a fresh criminal charge had been filed against Dr Abebe and two others.

It explained that the only development in the matter was the decision by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, a few months ago, to take over the prosecution of the existing Charge No. CR/005/26 from the police.

It further clarified that although an amended charge had been filed, the process had not yet been moved in court, stressing that no new charge was therefore properly before the court.

Deji Adeyanju and Partners said the latest publications were particularly disturbing because they appeared to deepen what it described as an ongoing campaign of media trial against its client.

The firm warned that such reports could undermine the integrity of the judicial process and prejudice public perception of a case that remains pending before the court.

It stressed that allegations contained in a criminal charge remain mere allegations until determined by a competent court on the basis of admissible evidence.

The lawyers added that neither media reports, social media publications nor sensational headlines had the authority to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant.

The firm also reminded the public that its client remains constitutionally entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.

The lawyers subsequently appealed to journalists, media practitioners, media organisations and other commentators reporting on the matter to uphold professional standards by verifying facts before publication and avoiding reports that could misrepresent the procedural status of the case.

“Continuing with the trend of inaccurate and misleading reports hints at a resolve to secure conviction in the court of public opinion rather than in the courtroom,” the firm warned.

It said it would continue to monitor reports concerning the case and take appropriate steps where necessary to protect the reputation and rights of its client.