Court Orders Federal Gov’t To Re-open Dele Giwa’s Murder Case

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice to re-open investigation and prosecution of those who murdered the founder of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, in 1986.

Dele Giwa was murdered on October 19, 1986, in his Lagos office through a letter bomb.

The court, in its judgement on Friday, held that the AGF was under obligation to prosecute and penalise killers of media practitioners in the country.

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.

The Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda (MRA) had dragged the AGF to the court for the enforcement of fundamental rights of media professionals to safety as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and African Charters on Human Rights.

Justice Ekwo in the judgement ordered the Federal Government to ensure adequate protection and safety of lives of journalists as enshrined in Sections 33 and 39 of the Constitution and Articles 4 and 9 of the African Charters on Human and Peoples Rights.