Justice Inyang Ekwo Of Federal High Court in Abuja, Friday, ordered the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) to re-open investigation and prosecution of those who murdered the founder of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, in 1986.
The Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda, MRA, had dragged the AGF through the court for the enforcement of fundamental rights of media professionals to safety as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and African Charters on Human Rights.
The applicant deposed an affidavit showing the names of journalists killed at different times in 1986, 1998, 1999, 2008 and 2023.
Justice Ekwo held that the office of the AGF was under obligation to prosecute and penalize killers of media practitioners in the country.
Recall that Dele Giwa was murdered on October 19, 1986, in his Lagos office through a letter bomb.
Apart from Dele Giwa, the court ordered that the killings of other journalists in the discharge of their lawful duties must be investigated and perpetrators brought to book in line with the provisions of the law.
Justice Ekwo in the judgement ordered the Federal Government to ensure adequate protection and safety of lives of journalists as enshrined in sections 33, 39 of the Constitution and Articles 4 and 9 of the African Charters on Human and Peoples Rights.
The applicant, through its lawyer, Mojirayo Nkana, said there have been various violations of the Nigerian journalists’ right to life for several years.
She said some journalists are still being harassed by security agencies with the AGF allegedly doing nothing about it.
Passing his judgement on Friday, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that it is noteworthy that Nigeria ratified several international treaties regarding the protection of fundamental human rights and the country’s government is legally bound by the treaties and is obligated to enforce same.
He said that society is better informed when there is an effective press, adding that the respondent has not denied that journalists were killed.
“It is deemed therefore that the respondents have admitted that the persons mentioned in the affidavit were journalists who were killed,” Ekwo said.
The judge said an extrajudicial act cannot take place without the Federal Government investigating and prosecuting them.
The judge found that the applicant has established its case and judgement was entered in its favor.
“I make an order directing the federal government to take measures to raise awareness and build the capacity of various stakeholders particularly journalists and other media practitioners, policymakers, law enforcement, security, intelligence, military as well as other officials on the laws and standards in ensuring the safety of journalists and media practitioners.”
