Former Lagos state Commissioner of Police (Compol) rtd, Abubakar Tsav, has stressed that any government, including the present administration of President Muhammad Buhari, that disobeys court orders is an irresponsible government.

He also advised the Federal Government (FG) and the National Assembly (NASS) to tread with caution and strike a balance on the issue of the bill on Hate speech presently before the NASS.

Tsav who made the statement while speaking with newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday however observed that if bringing back Decree 4 in the semblance of the law on hate speeches would amount to gagging the press, it was wrong.

The retired Compol also noted that the press must at all times publish verifiable truths, so as to avoid unnecessary libel and defamation cases.

He said, “But Decree No. 4 (during Buhari’s administration as military head of state) which was trying to bring censorship on the press is wrong; if we have a free press; a free press that speaks the truth; a free press that generally educates us, it will help the country.

“And where I have my fear is that people publish only what suits the government; they do not publish anything that’s against the government. But the press must be responsible too. Well I think that law is good.

“And as a journalist you must be sure of what you are publishing is true before you publish it and you must get your evidence ready, in case you are charged in court to prove your innocence.

On the issue of disobedience to court orders, Tsav said, “This (disobedience to court orders) is very, very bad. We need to have respect for our Constitution, respect for our judiciary and respect to the rule of law.

“Any government that disobeys court orders is an irresponsible government. If President Buhari’s government is disrespectful to court orders, it is an irresponsible government”, Tsav insisted. (Sunday Independent)

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