Media Rights Agenda Resurrects The Prosecution Of Dele Giwa’s Suspected Killers

Media Rights Agenda Resurrects

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda, MRA, on Friday, received an inspiring order as the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has instructed the Federal Government to re-open the investigation and prosecution of those who were involved in the murder of the founder of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, in 1986.

The MRA had approached the court for the enforcement of fundamental rights of media practitioners to safety as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended,as well as the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights.

The AGF was cited as the sole defendant in the matter.

In his judgement, Justice Ekwo directed FG to ensure adequate protection and safety of lives of journalists in the country, in line with the provisions of sections 33, and 39 of the Constitution and Articles 4 and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The court, in the judgement, equally ordered the restart of the investigation into unresolved cases of extrajudicial killing of other journalists in the country.

It specifically directed the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to kickstart the investigative process.

According to the court, the AGF, being the Chief Law Officer, is under obligation to prosecute those who were linked to the deaths of both Dele Giwa and other media practitioners in the country.

It will be recalled that Dele Giwa died from a letter bomb that was delivered to his Lagos office on October 19, 1986.