On Friday 16th, a Federal High Court in Abuja 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 organization 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.
Post a Comment