Court orders FG to probe deaths of Dele Giwa, other journalists

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute the killers of journalists in Nigeria from 1986 to 2023.

Among those killed within this period is the founder of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa.

The Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation seeking several reliefs including a declaration that the killing of Nigerian journalists is a violation of their fundamental rights to life.

The organisation also sought the enforcement of the fundamental rights of media practitioners to safety as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and African Charter on Human Rights.

MRA also held that some journalists are still being harassed by security agencies with the AGF allegedly doing nothing about it.

Delivering judgment, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the Federal Government to ensure adequate protection and safety of the lives of journalists as enshrined in Sections 33, and 39 of the Constitution and Articles 4 and 9 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights.

Details later…

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]