A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute killers of the founder of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, and other journalists in the country.
Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the judgment on Friday following a suit filed by the incorporated trustees of Media Rights Agenda.
The judge also ordered the government to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and other media practitioners, henceforth.
The plaintiffs had sued the Attorney-General of Federation (AGF) as sole respondent in the suit dated and filed October 26, 2021.
In the motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1301/2021, the applicant sought a declaration that the killings of various journalists and media practitioners in Nigeria is a violation of their fundamental right to life.
In the affidavit, the group listed some of the journalists murdered in the course of their duty to include Giwa, killed on October 19, 1986; and Bolade Fasisi of National Association of Women Journalists, March 31, 1998.
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Others include Edward Olalekan of Daily Times, murdered on June 1, 1999; Omololu Falobi of The Punch, October 5, 2006; Godwin Agbroko of Thisday, December 22, 1999; Abayomi Ogundeji of Thisday, August 17, 2008; and Edo Sule-Ugbagwu of The Nation, April 24, 2010.
Justice Ekwo, who observed that the AGF did not file any process to counter the arguments of the applicant, held that since the group’s arguments were not controverted, such arguments would be deemed to be true.
“An Order is hereby made directing the Federal Government of Nigeria to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and other media practitioners.
“An Order is hereby made directing the Federal Government of Nigeria to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of all attacks against journalists and other media practitioners, and ensure that all victims of attacks against journalists have access to effective remedies.
“An Order is hereby made directing the Federal Government to take measures to raise awareness and build the capacities of various stakeholders, particularly journalists and other media practitioners, policy makers, law enforcement, security, intelligence, military as well as other officials and relevant stakeholders on the laws and standards for ensuring the safety of journalists and media practitioners.
“This is the judgment of this court,” Justice Ekwo declared.
