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Marvin Omorogbe, the lawyer representing an Abuja medical practitioner, Dr. John Abebe, in an alleged IVF fraud case, has condemned what he described as prejudicial reports on the trial.
Abebe, of Joje Fertility Centre Limited, is being prosecuted by the Inspector General of Police, IGP.
Omorogbe, founding partner at Deji Adeyanju & Partners, in a statement issued on behalf of Abebe, expressed concern over what he described as a “coordinated media campaign” portraying Abebe as guilty despite the fact that the is matter still before a competent court.
He described the narrative in the public concerning the trial as misleading and prejudicial.
The statement noted that the case, in which Mr. Adamu Hassan Turaki is the nominal complainant, is currently pending before the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court.
According to the lawyer, several reports circulating online have misrepresented what transpired during court proceedings, prejudicing public opinion against the defendant, Abebe.
While acknowledging the constitutional role of the media in reporting judicial proceedings, Omorogbe observed that 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 recognise 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 statement said.
He therefore called for restraint and professionalism in the coverage of the ongoing proceedings.
Omorogbe urged the public to allow the judicial process to run its course and avoid drawing conclusions before the court delivers its judgment.
Justice Akeem Fashola of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court sitting at Jabi, Abuja, had granted Abebe bail on Wednesday after he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
‘Allow judicial process run its course’ – Lawyer faults reports on medical doctor’s trial
