Nigeria, June 21 -- The Cell Norbert Zongo for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO) has condemned the reported ejection of journalists from a magistrate court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and called for an independent judicial inquiry into the incident.

The regional investigative journalism organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Friday from its headquarters in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, following growing concerns over press freedom and transparency in the administration of justice in Nigeria.

The development follows an incident at Magistrate Court 7 in Uyo, where journalists covering proceedings in a criminal case involving the alleged destruction of farmland by cattle and herders were reportedly ordered out of th...